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We are on week two of the Hubby imposed "Jess-has-to-work-through-her-yard-sale-finds-before-she-can-get-any-more" embargo.  So this weekend I decided to tackle these decorative wall panels I got a couple weeks ago for $1.  I loved the size and style - but the gold was just not doing it for me.  I wanted to make them a little more simple and a little less "Vegas baby"! 

I decided to start with a spray of satin black.  May I again just profess my love of all things that are satin black.  Makes my heart go pitter patter! I taped off the mirrored portion with a little painter's tape and sprayed away.  (BTW - I love seeing all my past projects sprayed onto my spray box!) 

Now just black with all that great detail would just be a little too blah boring.  See.

So I decided to use Rub-n-Buff for the first time (in silver leaf).  I have seen where other bloggers have done some amazing stuff with Rub-n-Buff and decided it was time for me to try it myself.  Here is a close up of how it looks going on.  See how it brings out the detail in the raised portion of the panel.  You can see the floral and leaf motif that just looks like black bumps in the picture before.

Now since this was my first time with Rub-n-Buff let me give you a few pointers.

1.  Use it sparingly.  A little goes a long way.
2.  Try to just put a swipe on your finger and RUB instead of trying to load up a glob and smearing it out.  It tends to stick pretty firmly to whatever you first touch it to.
3.  The more you rub it - the more luster it gets.
4.  What if your finger slips and you get a big rub of silver across your nice black panel?  Just keep some handy black gloss craft paint on stand by to cover up any of those missed swipes! 


So here is my finished product - I love how antique and gothic they came out!  

Looks a lot better than the gold before don't you think?

Now my only problem is trying to figure out where to put them.  Originally - my plan was to use them to flank either side of the mirror in our dining area.  But the finish just isn't a match.  I might have to find something to put in between them.  (Oh Darn!)  My only other idea would be potentially on one of the narrow walls in our master bath.  So I need your help!  Anyone else have any ideas where they might go?  What would you put in between them?


Linking this up to

24 frugal friends said ...

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said... @ August 1, 2010 at 8:53 PM

They look fabulous. I think they would look great anywhere. I even like the idea of hanging them horizontially on top of each other. Very chic look. Hugs, Marty

Patti @ Pandoras Box said... @ August 1, 2010 at 9:03 PM

Nice transformation...love the shape of these

The Smith Hotel said... @ August 1, 2010 at 9:44 PM

Those turned out great! Never tried that Rub-n-buff before might have to next time I need a new look. I was laughing about your hubby wanting you to work through the projects you already have.......I have the same problem.....only sometimes I get something I love and just can't decide what color or where I am going to put it! I think you should see how they look in your bathroom. Just my opinion-take it or leave it!

Jody

Charlene Austin said... @ August 2, 2010 at 12:39 AM

Awesomeness!! I laughed at your first sentence. When we came back from vaca and my hubby was unpacking my stuff into the garage and piling it on top of ALL MY OTHER STUFF he mumbled something like "I think we need to take a break on the garage sale'n". Since he doesn't go garage sale'n I'm starting to think he was talking about me. lol.

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said... @ August 2, 2010 at 7:18 AM

They look wonderful! Great transformation! Rub N Buff is so easy and it changes things completely!

Blue Ridge Altered Art said... @ August 2, 2010 at 8:42 AM

That was a geat transformation. The rub n buff just add that extra to give it sparkle. Thanks for sharing.

the cape on the corner said... @ August 2, 2010 at 9:17 AM

i don't why it never occurred to me that rub n buff could be in silver...i love this! gothic inspired is right...if you can't find anywhere for them, they could totally just come out as part of halloween decorations.

great job, jess!

Erin said... @ August 2, 2010 at 9:46 AM

Terrific! From "Vegas Baby!" to ELEGANT! I didn't think goth(nothing wrong with that, just wasn't my first thought), I actually thought elegant and expensive;)

One Cheap B*tch said... @ August 2, 2010 at 10:06 AM

Great makeover! I love the goth look too!!!!! I do so much with white but every once in a while, I have to do something in black. They look amazing!

Jeanine

GoodyGirlRed said... @ August 2, 2010 at 11:42 AM

I love the transformation--terrific!

Pamela @ Atmosphere ID said... @ August 2, 2010 at 7:59 PM

Great transformation. I have been really into gold lately (French gold or antique gold not brassy gold) but that gold wasn't a very pretty gold. The black is much better. Have you thought about hanging them horizontally one on top of the over? It would them a little wider so they would fit better on a smaller wall and I like the idea of hanging something that feels a bit gothic in a more contemporary way.

P.S. Thanks for commenting on our blog. We love hearing other people's ideas.

Making It Work Mom said... @ August 3, 2010 at 5:56 AM

Once again I am horrifically jealous of what people can create out of nothing. Great job. I go for the bathroom- I bet they would look fab in there

Karen said... @ August 3, 2010 at 6:58 AM

I see something round in between them-yes, I know that isn't saying much, but that is what I see. Maybe a round mirror?

Anonymous said... @ August 3, 2010 at 8:30 AM

I wouldn't put anything in between them. I would hang them as a couple and leave them holding hands! A more modern way of displaying them instead of how they were probably originally hung flanking something huge in the middle.

Mandy's Creative Corner said... @ August 3, 2010 at 11:39 AM

What an amazing transformation! Great job =)

Melissa said... @ August 3, 2010 at 8:41 PM

Wow to the wow! I love this idea. I have passed up tons of mirrors because I didn't think that they would be that pretty. Great job. You should stop by Mycraftielife.blogspot.com and link up!

Marianne said... @ August 4, 2010 at 2:22 AM

They look so much better now. Good thinking on the silver buffing. Wish I could find that stuff over here.
Will you let us know where you end up using them?

Jen said... @ August 4, 2010 at 11:57 AM

Love'em!
Spray paint does wonders!

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said... @ August 6, 2010 at 12:44 PM

What a difference... love the silver buffing... definitely makes the mirrors gorgeous!

Unknown said... @ August 6, 2010 at 8:44 PM

It looks great! I love how they look. They could go on a window-less wall at staggered heights as a pretend window. Or behind the lights on either side of your master (or guest?) bed. Good luck!

Susan said... @ August 8, 2010 at 7:12 PM

The panels look so much better painted black. I am really getting to like the look of black. I seemed to be changing my style from cottage to more traditional decorating.

At Rivercrest Cottage said... @ August 15, 2010 at 6:11 PM

They looks so much better. I would attach them to a bigger board that would allow a section of the board to hand down below and then put hooks on the section of board below. This would mean hanging them vertical across the wall.

ThriftyAnnabella said... @ August 28, 2010 at 9:30 PM

They turned out beautiful!

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