Magic Garden Mirror ─ BuzzFeed Nifty

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Build your own portal to a secret garden with this whimsical optical illusion mirror. It can give the appearance of a larger yard, highlight more attractive parts or cover up something ugly.

Here is what you'll need!

Build your own portal to a secret garden with this whimsical optical illusion mirror. It can give the appearance of a larger yard, highlight more attractive parts or cover up something ugly.

Materials
Rectangular or square mirror
9 pieces of lumber (we used 1 x ž x 24-inch craft wood beams)
Wood glue
Silicone glue or industrial strength glue
Exterior primer
Exterior paint
Staple gun or nails
Decorative door hinges
Decorative door knob or door handle
Hand saw or jig saw
Flat corner braces or mending plates



Instructions
1. Mark out your mirror shape with masking or painters tape to make a working area so you don’t have to handle the mirror during the fit and framing process.
2. Create a basic outer frame for your mirror if it doesn’t already come with one (refer to A and B in the guide above). The frame needs to be a little wider than the mirror itself. The frame should not be too decorative as it should match the remaining pieces of wood that you’ll be working with. Cut 45-degree angled cuts to make the frame. If the wood is small enough, a handsaw is sufficient. Otherwise use a jig saw or get it cut at the lumber store.
3. Inside the frame, measure one beam (C) to sit just inside the left hand side of the frame. Cut to size.
4. Place one beam (D) parallel to C and the outer frame. Allow for a reasonable distance between this beam and the outer frame to create the illusion of the open window door.
5. Now place the top and bottom pieces for the inner frame (E). Angle it as you like, and mark the points to cut from. Note, the E frames should sit flush to the left hand frame (C).
6. Now you can determine the length of the right hand beam (D) and cut to size.
7. Place a new beam inside the inner frame, parallel to all the vertical pieces (F). It should be slightly closer to D than C to maintain the illusion. Measure, mark and cut to size.
8. Lastly, using offcuts, finish off the cross inside the frame (G). Measure, mark and cut to size.
9. Sand any rough edges to the cut pieces of wood, and then use wood glue to attach the frame. Use clamps if necessary while the glue dries.
10. For additional stability, attach flat corner braces or mending plates on the underside of the frame. You can also nail, screw or staple gun the joints together.
11. Prime and paint both sides of the frame. Allow coats to dry before adding on each layer. Multiple layers of the paint might be necessary.
12. Once dry, attach the front of mirror to the back of the frame with outdoor-ready silicone adhesive or industrial glue.
13. Add hanging hardware to the back of the mirror if it doesn’t already come with it if you intend to hang it up.
14. Once the glue has dried, attach your ornamental hinges and door knob or handles.


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