Floor-to-ceiling mirrors are often found in homes built during the 1960s and 1970s, as well as converted dance and performance spaces. Though selective use of these mirrors can give a room a spacious appearance, too many in one place is overwhelming. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors in bathrooms, for example, may make guests feel uncomfortable. Cover these mirrors in an attractive way to enhance your living space.
Antique Patina
A classy antique patina will not completely cover the reflectiveness of the mirror, but it will diffuse the brightness and obscure images. Patina solution is an acid-based paste or cream that eats away at the mirror's surface, usually revealing the color of the underlying metal. Create dark spots on the mirror by leaving the product on the surface until it's as mottled as you like. Test every few minutes by wiping the solution off a section of the mirror and evaluating.
Etching
Etching solution works in a similar way to patina - an acid-based solution eats away at the mirror's surface. Unlike patina, however, the etching will create a smoky, rather than mottled, effect. Control the pattern of the etching with stencils. Tape a stencil to the mirror's surface, paint over it with etching solution, wait a few minutes, then remove the solution and the stencil. Repeat until the entire mirror is etched.
Fabric
Create fabric drapes to cover the mirrors. Floor-to-ceiling drapes are best suited to living rooms or bedrooms; the fabric may absorb moisture, odor and stains in a bathroom. Drill curtain runners on the ceiling adjacent to each mirrored wall, about 4 inches from the mirror. Use sheer curtains to take advantage of the mirror's reflectiveness to create lightness in the room. Use heavy drapes to absorb noise and drafts.
Murals
Paint markers are similar in appearance to conventional permanent markers, except that they contain an oil paint that will mark mirrors. You can remove this paint with a sharp scraping tool, such as a utility knife, if necessary. Use masking tape or string to mark the mirror into grids. Create the mural on graph paper, then use the grid on the mirror to transfer the design accurately. Outline the figures and shapes in the mural first, then color them in.
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