Trumeau Mirror Magic.

Add a touch of French style to your home or office with a lovely trumeau mirror. These mirrors were very popular during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries in France. A trumeau mirror is a mirror on a panel with a decorative surrounding or painting, typically placed over a mantel piece. Originally these ornamental panel treatments of the Louis XV and XVI periods adorned the walls of elaborate rooms in the grand chateaus of Europe. As the panels aged and were damaged, and decorating fashion changed, the paneled rooms were disassembled and sold individually or as entire rooms. Some of the panels had meticulously carved designs or applied plaster ornaments while others displayed lovely paintings and mirrors. The mirror glass plates were made by blowing cylinders, which were split, flattened, and then silvered. The mirrors were cut into two or three pieces because large plates were not available, and mirror plate was so expensive that framers used every plate of mirror. Although antique trumeau mirrors are very p ricey, these instructions will enable you to achieve the look for a fraction of the cost and a little time. This is a fun project to do with a friend.

When you have located an old wooden door and framed mirror, cut the door to the specifications on the following page. (See diagram.) Fill any holes from old hinges and doorknob with a small block of wood and wood putty; then sand lightly.

After assembling the mirror according to the diagram, give the trumeau mirror an aged finish by painting with a coat of Grackle Medium and immediately drying with the hairdryer on high. Sand any place that you desire to have the original door color to show through the new paint. Next paint the door with one coat of Instant Age Varnish and dry immediately with the hairdryer on high. Now you are ready to find the perfect place to display your trumeau mirror!

MATERIALS NEEDED

Old wooden door with two recessed panels (I found this one at Habitat for Humanity Store for $5.00.)

Wood filler 

Sand paper

Large old framed mirror (must be larger than the largest recessed panel of your door) with age spots on the mirror if possible (available at flea markets, antique stores, or garage sales)

Ornamental medallion (available at craft stores or building supply stores. I found this piece at Lakeside Moulding in Jackson)

2 pieces of thin edge molding to place down the vertical edges of door on each side (available at building supply stores or frame shop)

Wood glue

8 to 10 wood screws

Small finishing nails

Gold leaf supplies (terra-cotta basecoat, adhesive size, gold leaf sheets, and brown antique finish)

Water based paint in the color of your choice (1 used Ceramco paints--Italian Sage with a drop of Burnt Umber)

Crackle medium (available at craft stores)

Instant Age Varnish (available at craft stores)

Hairdryer

Screw eyes and wire for hanging

FOR PEDIMENT 

One 2-inch tall block of wood, one inch longer than the top of door and 1/2 inch thicker than door

Piece of 1/2-inch egg and dart molding the same length as the front of door plus two times the thickness of the door

3/4-inch crown molding the length of the wood block plus enough to cover the two side edges of the wood block