UNIQUE APPLIQUES - trumeau mirror

 

 

I finally made over my Trumeau mirror that I bought 5 years ago.

It has been stashed in my work room moving from place to place just getting in my way.

 

About now you might be asking what is a Trumeau mirror?

 

They are French wall mirrors originally manufactured in the 18th century.

The French word trumeau describes the space between windows.

Trumeau mirrors were originally intended to hang on a wall between windows,

providing a decorative element and to bring more light to the room.

The mirror is almost always rectangular and sometimes includes a decorative portion at the top,

with the mirror below it. A genuine antique trumeau can cost between US$2000 and US$20,000.

 

My trumeau is probably from the 1950's and the decorative portion was flat.

 

 

What I needed was the right motivation and that came with the right applique.

 

 

The applique I found is a reproduction that I bought from a storage unit sale,

but I have an alternative solution for you if you can't find an awesome storage unit sale.

 

 

These plastic decorative pieces can be found at your local thrift store for a couple of bucks.

 

 

With a jigsaw and some caution you can cut them apart into fancy applique pieces.

 Please be careful!!

 

 

**NOTE**

When you are cutting plastic with an electric reciprocating blade,

the plastic melts from the friction and can fuse back together as you pass through it.

 

If you are not comfortable with a jigsaw try checking out small hacksaws or rodsaws

at your local hardware store. Both these options are hand tools.

 

While you are there pick up some new blades for your knife,

so triming the cuts are easier. This kind of plastic can not be cut with a knife.

Only use it to shave the rough edges!

 

Some rough sandpaper (80 grit) to smooth the edges.

 

 

These are light enough to glue to a project but small nails could be used with pre-drilled holes.

DO NOT try to drive a nail through the plastic without drilling first.

They will break!

 

So now I have 4 amazing and unique appliques just from the top and bottom of these 2 pieces.

 

 The pillars and fruit could still be cut out to repurpose.

 

 

Here is my Trumeau Mirror in all her glory.

I'm in love!

 

and here is a few more to enjoy with the bottom left linking to a DIY Trumeau mirror

 

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