DIY Designer Modern Seashell Mirror

by: Jo

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While browsing 1stDibs recently, I instantly fell in love with a gorgeous bejeweled seashell mirror. As much as I loved it, the $150,000 price tag was certainly out of my budget. So, like any good DIYer, I decided to dupe it and make my own modern, painted seashell mirror at a fraction of the price.

I started by picking out a plain mirror that I could embellish. I found lots of great options with wide frames at Hobby Lobby, and chose one with a unique, curvy shape. I knew it would fit where I wanted it to go, and I really liked the curved lines.

Having enough shells to cover the mirror was easy for me. My husband's grandfather spent a lifetime collecting shells on Sanibel Island, and he passed most of his collection on to us. I chose many of the more common shells from his collection, as well as a few special ones to highlight. I was so excited to have a chance to get them out of the coffee cans and on display in our home.

In the original designer mirror, I was drawn to the more modern, glamorous look of the shells, so I wanted to take my shells in the same direction. I decided not to leave any of the shells their natural color, and started painting them with different silver paints.

I added shimmering accents so some of them with specialty paints such as DecoArt's Enchanted Shimmer line of sparkly topcoats.

I even covered some of them in Metallic Lustre wax finish, for a pearl-like effect.

When the shells were dry, I glued them onto the mirror's frame using my Arrow hot glue gun. I started with a base of plainer, scalloped shells, then I added my larger, more distinct shells, spacing them evenly around. Then I tucked the smaller shells and pearls in between to fill in any gaps.

For a pop of color among all the silver and pearl, I painted a few spiral shells with a bright coral color, and added them to the mirror along with a few soft green pearls.

To bring this up to the next level and match the look of the inspiration mirror, I also added some sparkly brooches, spaced evenly around the mirror. I love this bejeweled look so much!

I love how my mirror turned out and I am so glad I could use shells that mean something to our family. It's not as elaborate as the inspiration mirror, but it also didn't cost me $150k!