What do you do when a lamp shade with a story finally hits the dust? You transform it, of course, into a DIY Sunburst mirror.
Chad served an LDS mission to South Africa when he was younger, and he was able to bring back some amazing pieces including a lamp. Years later, we pulled this lamp shade out of storage because it was so unique. Unfortunately, it had become broken in a few places and didn’t look good anymore (this was actually the good side).
But I couldn’t throw it away. I looked at those beautiful slats and knew I wanted to make a sunburst mirror from them. I clipped off the slats from the wire frame, and then stored them away until I could get to them.
I was really excited to pull them back out and create something beautiful and meaningful from an old treasure. This DIY Sunburst Mirror has a special place in my home now. Let me show you how I did it.
DIY Sunburst Mirror Supplies
- Wooden Slats (you could use cut pieces or even paint sticks for this project–you’d just have to drill four holes into the exposed end of each slat)
- 9″ craft mirror
- Silicone
- Rope twine
- Paper medallions (see this tutorial to create paper medallions)
- Hot glue gun
Instructions
- Remove all the slats from your lampshade. Or, if you’re using new wood, drill 4 holes in the end you want exposed and stain/distress as desired.
- Lay your craft mirror face down, and arrange your slats on the mirror so they’re even and create a sunburst effect.
- Adhere the slats to the back of the mirror using silicone, and let dry.
- Adhere rope twine around the mirror border.
- Thread rope twine through the holes in the ends of the slats, and tie off in the back.
- Create paper medallions, and adhere them to the front of the sunburst mirror, if desired.
The DIY sunburst mirror upcycle was a really simple project that has really made a big difference in our home. I feel like it has more of a story now and the slats and stitching pop more than they did as a lamp shade. I love the new life this upcycled lampshade has taken as a DIY sunburst mirror.
This is so cute! And meaningful, too! I love the look of the slats; you’d never guess it was a lampshade!
Thanks! This was such a fun project, and I love how it turned out.
I adore this! It looks like something that you paid a lot of money for and it’s so unique 🙂
Thank you, Angela–it’s one of my favorite pieces now and I like it way better than I did before.
This is awesome, I love it!
Thank you, Shirley!
This is awesome! What a fabulous upcycle! My head is swimming with mirror ideas now 🙂
Thanks Lindi, it was such a fun project for me.
Lisa, this is the coolest mirror ever! I LOVE it! Thank you for sharing! PINNED!
Awww, thanks Michelle! You are the sweetest.
Very pretty. Pinning it 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Roopini–so sweet of you!
this is just too cool – love it =)
Thanks Laura!
Never would have guessed 🙂 and it turned out great!!
It’s the element of surprise. Ha!
I love this diy! What a great use of an old lamp shade!
I’d love it if you’d share this with us at Talented-tuesday-link-party on the blog now!
How creative! I love how you’ve managed to make something so meaningful into something new and decorative!
Thanks for contributing to The Sunday Brunch Magazine!
All the best,
Eliza & Bel.
Thank you Eliza. I really love this project.
Hi Lisa, I’m new to blogging and I fell into your blog by way of Dwell Beautiful. I was very impressed with your creativity and originality with this project. Hope to be seeing more of you. Drop by my blog if you have a chance.
Aww, thank you Mary. And I’d love to hop over and check out your blog!