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work a unvarnished mirror into an ocular legerdemain using these step - by - footmark instructions . produce your own room access to a mystical world .

This mirror looks big at the remainder of a hallway or in a bedroom . If you desire to utilize it outside , this has tips on keeping it safe for birds : How to Use Mirrors in the Garden .

DIY optical illusion mirror with blue frame.

Optical illusion mirror with vintage oil can planter

DIY Optical Illusion Mirror

I ’ve been admiring these mirror for year and , after see one priced at $ 290 , decided I credibly could make my own . Nothing like hyperbolic prices to make you feel like you may do it yourself !

As it turn out , it was much easy ( and faster )   than I require . In fact , you could probably make your own ( other than await for the paint to dry ) in less time than it will take me to write these instructions .

This task be me a walloping $ 12 to make with the leverage of a mirror , Ellen Price Wood , and hardware at the thrift store . I used leftover paint from mygarden shed makeover .

Optical illusion mirror with blue frame.

These next mirrors are photoshopped to show how they would take care in various colouration .

Contents

Get the Free PrintableThere ’s a complimentary printable with this article . Go toResources(below ) to get yours .

Design Ideas

There are so many possibleness for these mirrors but they all have the same basic innovation .

Look at the images below .

Every mirror has an stunned frame and an privileged frame , which is the department that creates the illusion .

Optical illusion mirror with vintage oil can planter

All of the Sir Henry Joseph Wood pose flat on the mirror .

Here ’s the same design with window grilles :

This next one is simply doubled to await like two open window :

Make your own optical illusion mirror for the home or garden.

And here ’s another magnetic variation made to look like an open garden gate .

This can be really coolheaded mount on a fence or actual garden gate . Or at the end of a hallway in a home .

To create my ocular fantasy mirror , I used the design with windowpane grille but simplify it so there were few wood cuts required .

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Related : How to Safely Use Mirrors in the Garden

Tips for Best Results

Before we get started with the instructions , here ’s a few things to consider :

Make a Paper Template

I mentioned this labor can be done without any particular measure or figuring and here ’s how .

Make a composition interlingual rendition first .

By creating a paper template , you will know on the dot how much Natalie Wood you involve , you”ll have a template for each wood cut , and you ’ll be able to double up check the intention before ever cutting the Ellen Price Wood .

Design ideas for making your own optical illusion garden mirror. There’s a simple trick that makes this project much easier than it looks!

And , if you’re able to draw it , you’re able to trim it out and make it ! It does n’t have to be like mine . Draw some sample . experimentation . See which one you like best and make it !

I ’ll walk you through the step below to show how to make your excogitation .

Basic Steps-Overview

Tools & Materials

There are so many options depending on your woodwork skills or standards .

I ’m a perfect amateur but wanted something sturdy that appear unspoilt .

Related:7 Giant & Over - Sized Garden Art & Décor Ideas

Design ideas for making your own optical illusion garden mirror. There’s a simple trick that makes this project much easier than it looks!

Make a Template

I put the mirror on a table and then make my template on top of it .

You could either cut out strip of newspaper using the wood as a template ( for the breadth of the paper funnies ) or just draw the whole thing on a big piece of newspaper and cut out the convention firearm .

Have a look at the diagram ( above ) for guidance .

Design ideas for making your own optical illusion garden mirror. There’s a simple trick that makes this project much easier than it looks!

Many of you will probably be able-bodied to make the project simply by seeing the diagram and create the guide .

If write instructions help , keep going . Otherwise , sop up a design you wish on newspaper , cut out the wood , and go for it !

Outer Frame Parts A and B – 2 of eachDecide whether you want to make mitered or butted corners .

Design ideas for making your own optical illusion garden mirror. There’s a simple trick that makes this project much easier than it looks!

I made mitered corners and created an outer inning that is large than the mirror by 1″ on each side ( 2″ sum ) to allow room for attaching the mirror to the back of the frame .

Inner Frame Parts C ( 2 ) , E , F , G , H , IThe inner inning has 4 incline plus the intimate wood pieces forming a interbreeding .

make your newspaper guide in this order :

Framed white mirrors on garden fence.

Make the Inner Cross

With   E , G , and the two C piece of music tap in stead , make the inner cross musical composition .

Make H and I

Giant flower urn, giant bird nest, giant agave plants in bathtub.

With F also record in stead , make H and I.

If it looks unspoiled , you ’re ready to cut the Sir Henry Wood .

Related : How to work up a Simple Garden Art Ladder

Labelled diagram of optical illusion mirror pieces

Cut Wood, Paint, & Assemble

Here ’s a finale - up of the lower odd box :

Here ’s the task before I stained undercoat and painted it :

I assembled mine withmetal mend platesand small Natalie Wood piece of ass ( on the back ) and wood glue to plug into the wood man .

Large blue ladders in flower garden.

I held everything in place withclampswhile the wood mucilage was dry .

I paint the outside and edges blue and the back side black .

The wood is attached to mirror using adhesive . I usedGE II silicone polymer sealant . Some people care to use   building adhesive material but I have not test it myself in this applications programme .

Closeup of joins

Whatever you use , verify it ’s desirable for glass / mirrors and woodwind instrument , and do not use it near the bound   where it will be speculate by the mirror .

Secure the mirror to the back of the skeleton . I used mirror clips .

add together hanging ironware . I usedheavy duty picture hanging hardware .

Assembling optical illusion mirror

In these next pictures you’re able to see how the black key on the back adds a neat effect :

The hinges and handle came from the thrift store and were mismatch so I spray painted them with a atomic number 29 colour to amalgamate the facial expression .

It ’s a fun task either for indoors or alfresco .

Assembling optical illusion mirror

Resources

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This project is included in this ebook :

Assembling optical illusion mirror

Ebook

25 Garden Art Projects & Ideas

by Melissa J. Will

Grab the top garden art DIY projects and tips from Empress of Dirt

Primed mirror with clamps

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Painted optical illusion mirror

I also made aminiature version for the pansy garden .

~Melissathe Empress of Dirt ♛

Detail of optical illusion mirror

Close up of optical illusion mirror in garden

Close up of handle on optical illusion mirror

Optical illusion garden mirror painted blue.

Garden Art Projects & Ideas book cover