How to Create a French Trumeau Mirror for Your Own Home
Have you swooned over a French Trumeau mirror and then nearly passed out at the price tag? I know, I have too!
Glance through almost any French decor magazine and chances are you will see at least one French trumeau mirror on display.
Displaying one of these iconic French beauties will elevate any room that it’s in, and it will undoubtedly be the star. Unfortunately, the price tag can be pretty steep for the true antique Trumeau mirrors, usually priced in the thousands of dollars.
Thankfully, you can easily create your own French trumeau mirror to fit the style and decor of your home and I’m going to show you how!
A trumeau mirror ( pronounced troo-mo) is a type of wall mirror originally manufactured in France in the later 18th century. It takes its name from the French word “trumeau”, which designates the space between windows.
The mirror is set into tall wooden frames with a large section of painted or carved sculptural decoration at the top. Almost always the trumeau is rectangular in size. The bottom of the wooden framing was usually where the mirror was placed so a candle could be set in front to reflect light in dimly lit rooms.
Trumeau mirrors are often the showpiece in the room in which they are displayed, so let me show you how to create your own!
Starting with MDF board as the base (purchased from Lowe’s), I added crown moulding to the top and smaller decorative wood trim. All of this can be purchased from a home improvement store. This is where you can get creative and make any design you wish.
I embellished the front using an old antique mirror that I had picked up at a flea market. The silvering on the mirror had become very timeworn over the last century and it had resulted in a very smoky look which I loved.
Above the mirror, I used an old piece of wall decor that I found at a flea market as well. It depicts a bird and flowers on a branch.
These old decor pieces date the 1950’s, are made of a hard plastic and can often be found in thrift stores or flea markets quite easily. However, use your imagination! There’s no limit to what you can use to embellish your “Trumeau”.
The bird wall decor wasn’t quite substantial enough so I added a bit more by creating a laurel wreath and swags with molds and paper clay. If you’ve not made your own mouldings before, it’s quite easy. We show how to make them HERE. They are wonderful to dress up a piece of furniture!
I nailed the crown moulding to the top of the MDF board, and then, using Gorilla Glue, glued the rest of the pieces onto the MDF board.
Once everything was glued in place, I painted everything in a base coat of Pure & Original chalk based paint in the color Tin Kettle.
Then came the fun part….layering the other colors.
I wanted the final result to be a pale blue, so on top of Tin Kettle, I alternated using the colors, Lagoon Water and Sea Salt, spritzing with water as I went to get a mottled finish. The result that I was trying to achieve was a faded, timeworn look.
After these layers dried, I used my homemade glaze to add a bit of antiquing and shadowing.
Once everything was dry, I used Rub n Buff in Gold Leaf and gilded the moulding, frame, and embellishments.
The final step was waxing with Pure & Original Italian Wax.
I can’t tell you how much I love this mirror! It turned out exactly the way I envisioned.
And I can’t tell you how many ideas I have swirling around in my head for another one!
Hung on the wall, the Trumeau adds both beauty and brightness to the room.
By day the mirror reflects sunlight throughout the room and at night, it reflects the glow from the chandelier.
I hope you enjoyed seeing this DIY French trumeau mirror!
Cheers, Cindy
I love this! You did a marvelous job, but also gave me the confidence I would need to tackle such a project. Thanks!
If you’re not a member of the Old World Design Society, I think you should be. 🙂 Thank you for the tutorial!
Love your tutorial and your mirror! I am wondering what kind of screws and rings you used to hang the mirror? Assuming your mirror is heavy, 50lbs +/-? Don’t want screws to be pulled out of the pdf board by the weight when hanging! Thanks for your help! Alston
Hi Alston! Actually, I’ve never hung my Trudeau mirror. I have always simply leaned it on the fireplace mantel or on a buffet. For tips on hanging the mdf board, I would take a look here: https://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/lumber/medium-density-fiberboard
Hi again, Cindy!
Once you used the gold rub, did you also cover & buff it with Italian Wax? I’m concerned that anything on the gold leaf will dull it. Just want to be sure the Italian wax was used to protect the finish and that it won’t dull the lustre.
Thanks!
Hi Terri! I think I used the Rub n Buff last, after the Italian Wax.
I love this DIY! I’ve been looking for the perfect mirror to put above my fireplace and can’t find one and a trimo would be perfect. Unfortunately my pocketbook isn’t. I’ll be constructing this little gem for myself. One question though – did you miter the The crown molding on the top to wrap around the sides?
Hi Terri! Yes, I mitered the corners of the crown moulding so it wrapped around the wood. I hope this helps!
Absolutely gorgeous! I adore Trumeau mirrors as well and planning on making myself one! Thank you for sharing. Jann
That’s wonderful, Jann!
Hi Cindy, I love your mirror so much I am actually using your ideas to make a similar one for myself. My sister was a long time Home Interior rep so I even have the same bird you used. My question is, the back of the bird has small extenders to make it hang a bit away from the wall, did you remove those or is your bird actually hanging on the backboard?
Thank you for the beautiful idea….have a blessed day.
Hi Susan! I think we just clipped them off so that the bird sat flush with the wood!
Thank you for your quick response. I will try to remove them….who knows, it may end up with a 3D effect.
Beautiful!!!! Would also love to know about the dresser it’s on. The color and how to achieve that look. Thank you! =)
Hi Jen! Here’s the link to the post about the dresser: https://wp.me/p5Xug9-SF
Thank you so much!!!
Absolutely stunning Trumeau mirror, I’m definitely going to try this, so beautiful and doable.
Love it. Thankyou.
Cath
So impressed with your new venture and know in time it will become
A Business dream come true. However, “I” can’t wait to visit this sweet
Spot, our daughter recently moved from Ca. to Mobile Al!
Many Blessings.
Hi Cindy
I am a year or so late but I happened on this Pin just today. You said the base was a MDF board, the top has a crown moulding what have you put on the other 3 sides of the thr MDF? Also how did you attach the mirror to the MDF board. By the way when ever I happen upon any PINS of yours I always save them in case I need to refer to them in future if I take in any projects? Is that ok with you? You have such a classy style.
May I know please where to purchase this bird? I just love it!!
Jann, the bird is vintage from a local antique mall!
I know this was posted a while back, but please tell how you apply the antique glaze to get the shadow effect. Do you brush it on and lightly wipe it off? Thanks for your help and for sharing all of your beautiful makeovers!
I usually only apply the glaze to the areas that I want “antiqued”, like the edges, and nooks and crannies. I will usually apply with a small artist’s brush because it’s easier to control, and then I will gently wipe back any excess and blend with a slightly damp cloth. I hope this helps, Julie!
What a beautiful mirror! Thanks for the How To.
Thank you for commenting, Sally!
Love everything you do!! Getting ready to redo our bedroom. Yours is so great, but I can’t tell what color it is ,would love to have the name . Keep on inspiring us.
Thank you, Mollie! The wall color is Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray!
Thank you for the paint color !
SWOON! How gorgeous is that! When you break down all the steps it really sounds like a doable project. I will have to keep an eye out for an old mirror. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Thank you, Mary!
So pretty Cindy! Love how it turned out!
Thank you Courtney!
Cindy, your mirror is exquisite!! I saw so many beautiful ones in some antique shops in Fairhope yesterday and yes well over $2000! You can be proud if your custom made one!
Thanks Kim! It was so easy to make! I hope you are enjoying your trip to the Gulf Coast!
Hi Cindy, woweeee your mirror turned out simply gorgeous my friend…you really have out done yourself….the moldings and appliqués are just stunning, I’m sooo looking forward to viewing your beautiful french desk in your beautiful office……TFS…..
Mari~
Thank you, Mari!!
Once again you knocked it out of the park!! I love the paint technique.
Did you have the piece laying flat when you were spritz -ing? (Seems like that would take practice!)
Lastly Did you apply rub n buff with a brush or finger?
Thank you for your tuturial. I did get the book and I have pages marked to try!
Thank you, Gaylin! I had it sitting up when I spritzed. I like the water running just a bit and removing some of the paint along the way. I applied the rub n buff with a small 1″ flat artist’s brush. That made it easier to get a clean edge on it. This was so much fun to create….I think I might need to do another one, smaller in size.
Hi Cindy. You’re mirror is fabulous! Would you mind sharing how you attached the mirror? Also, what are the dimensions? Thank you.
Thank you, Patricia! The overall dimensions of the mirror is 60″ tall x 30″ wide. The measurements of the antique mirror that I attached to it is 32″ tall x 20″ wide. I used a glue called Titebond III from Lowe’s.
One word – GORGEOUS! What a talented soul you are!!
Aw, you are too sweet! Thank you, Sandra!
Omg, I love this mirror!!! It’s in the perfect spot also. Can’t wait to see the new French desk
Thanks, Linda!!
Omg, this mirror came out beautiful!!! You put it in the perfect spot also. Can’t wait to see your new French desk.
Cindy your mirror is fabulous!! I was excited to see what you would create and you didn’t disappoint with this beauty!
Thanks, Amy! I love it!