SYTYCD Week 7-Cavity Cap Mirror
This by far was one of my favorite challenges. I love looking around the home improvement store for interesting objects, there are so many neat things to see.
When I come across something I've never seen before, I think to myself, what could I make out of this?
So, as I was wandering endlessly through Lowe's, I came across 6 inch square galvanized pieces in the cement block section, also known as cavity caps.
Cavity caps lock firmly between concrete block cells to stop mortar infiltration. Who knew?
When I picked them up, I knew I could think of something to make with them.
I wanted to mimic the look of old tin ceiling tile and I thought a mirror would fit that style perfectly.
I'm all about making things inexpensively. Call me cheap or thrifty, but it's all about saving money to me.
I painted, distressed and aged each cavity cap. I built a wood frame using scrap MDF and use some trim for the inside and outside edge.
The entire project used a total of 12 cavity caps making the frame about 25.5 inches square. I love the look of it so much, I plan on making another one for my porch.
(FYI- you can find the cavity caps and Lowe's and Home Depot stores).
Please Don't Forget to Vote Here
This has to be one of the most ingenious ideas that I have ever seen. You go girl.
ReplyDeleteYou created a beautiful work of art. I love it.
hugs
Sissie
This is brilliant and beautiful!! Great job!!
ReplyDeleteHi there, I stumbled upon your blog a few weeks ago and have been captivated ever since!!! I Love this mirror, it's definately my favorite so far! I was wondering if you could do a tutorial on how you painted and distressed the tins. I have been working on some tin stars, trying several techniques, without getting the results that I want. This mirror has the EXACT look that I have been trying for!!! It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all of your lovely work!!!
Vannabeth
Just amazing! Love this project and your creativity.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!
Cori
A cavity what?!? I never knew such a thing exsisted! MUST GO SEE!
ReplyDeleteGoodness Trixie... so creative! This work of art is just that.
Awesome!
Donna
I just love this. The colors are perfect!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck to you!
What a fabulous project~ very creative and original! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous! What was the total cost of the project?
ReplyDeleteawesome!
ReplyDeleteAnother home run, Trixie!
ReplyDeleteI love this! Too unique!
ReplyDeleteWell, I never would have thought that's what you used! This looks great, Trixie, and what a great mirror you made using them.
ReplyDeleteGirl, you are so creative. Never in a million years would I have picked these up and thought I'll make a mirror!!
ReplyDeleteFabulous, very creative.
ReplyDeleteDebby
wow! I think this looks awful in your home, good news for you, it would look perfect in mine, so go ahead & pack it up & ship it to me! Just kidding, wow that is really gorgeous! I LOVE the colors you used - it really would look perfect at my house too! :)
ReplyDeleteThis turned out so beautifully! You should submit this idea to Lowe's quarterly magazine. If you haven't seen one, ask them about it. It's free and it comes to your home full of great ideas. Anyway, this is such a cute idea, I'm sure they'd love it. And what if they pay you for that idea...?
ReplyDeletePatricia :o)
You are sooooo creative. I love how you stayed true to your style in this project. It still looks light and feminine. Great job.
ReplyDeleteTrixie, You are one very creative lady! This is a masterpiece. And the colors you chose are perfect. Thanks for this inspirational and informative post.
ReplyDeleteYvonne
Trixie-
ReplyDeleteOh my! What a transformation out of something so...galvanized?
My wheels are turning with all the possibilities...now that YOU came up with the initial idea!
Great job.
I love the mirror you made. You are so very creative. I would not have thought of that.
ReplyDeleteI really love this! The colors are beautiful and I want to make it! Great job!
ReplyDeleteIt is stunning...I just love it so much. Great job and keep up the awesome creativity!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this! Love the unique idea, love the colors and love the combo with the mirror!
ReplyDeletePlease post a tutorial on how you painted these!
What a gorgeous mirror...great thinking!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful week,
: )
Julie M.
Totally fabulous!! So unique and a great find!
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
Excellent! What a great idea and it is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteClaudia
This is a fabulous idea! It looks beautiful and something I could do. Plus the price - WOW. Love the hardware store. :)
ReplyDeleteI love looking in the hardware store for weird things too, but this cracked me up! It the most ingenious use of an object I've seen in a long time! Kudos to you!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! You are so talented and inventive. I love the look of this - so pretty!
ReplyDeleteJeanine
Really reminds me of that old pressedt tin, you've done a fabulous job!
ReplyDeletealicia
Wow. I have seen pieces like this for hundreds in stores. What a fantastic project!
ReplyDeleteTrixie....I am blown away! I love what you did! Would you be interested in sharing how you "aged" the caps after painting and distressing? I LOVE the colors you used...perfect!
ReplyDeleteI am dying DYING for a tutorial! I would also LOVE to know how much this cost!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful - you are so ingenious with your ideas! Can't wait to see what you come up with next.
ReplyDeleteSince several people have asked, I will be glad to do a tutorial soon on how I painted and aged the squares.
ReplyDeleteYou really do have a gift, T! I'm boggled. I couldn't think of what to do with cavity caps to save my life! Wow! You've created a real treasure!
ReplyDeleteMiss Trixie, this idea has completely blown me away! Absolutely BRILLIANT! And absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joy and Monday Sunshine, Terri
This is fabulous! Can't wait to try this one. I voted for you in the contest!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Lisa
Who would have thunk?
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome project, such great colors, and inexpensive too!
Your blog is fabulous. I am so excited to have found you. I will stop back often.
ReplyDeleteTake care!!
Hi! This is my first time visiting and I love your blog! Although I need to read thru a lot more of it, I can tell you that I have already learned a few very valuable tips! I love what you did with the cavity caps! And, thank you, thank you, thank you for offering to do a tutorial!!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day, Karen
I just luv your idea...you must bring her over next week to my NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAYS PARTY...hope to see her there:) Hope you don't mind...I think I will copy you on this one!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Linda
I'm having a GIVEAWAY!!!!
Great idea! You had a vision, and made it reality. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteYou should come link this project up at today's Bargain Brag Wednesday: http://www.bargainshoppingparadise.com/2010/04/bargain-brag-wednesday-414-420.html
Oh my gosh! Who would have thunk it! Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm so bummed! Made a trip to Lowe's and Home depot and no one knew what I was talking about! One guy even had me show him your blog sop he could see what they were.I love the mirror! It's great!
ReplyDeleteYou just got my vote for this fabulous project in the contest you're in. Love what you've created.
ReplyDeleteAny chance in the future you'd share your hints on how you got the great patina?
Thanks for your creativity and generosity in what you've shown and shared on your blog.
Gretchen
Hi Trixie,
ReplyDeleteI just found you through Victoria and love your blog and your decorating style. I have become a follower. I also love to make something old new again and create one of kind things for my home.
It has been a pleasure getting to know you today and reading many of your posts.
Take care and have a wonderful day,
Elizabeth
This may very well be the coolest, most creative mirror in blogland! I am going to post about it, I love it SO much!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know that I LOVE this! Brilliant. Some seriously lovely creativity going on here!
ReplyDeleteThis is more than stunning! I love it and am featuring it at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. Grab my "featured" button. (I have to say you are a queen at refinishing furniture. All your creations are so beautiful!!!)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!! I would love to know how you painted and distressed it. I would love to make one, but wouldn't know how!!
ReplyDeleteA tutorial would be fantastic! Or even just a brief explanation will do.
Thanks!
Trixie, this is such a cute project, I love it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!! I really love the colors, too.
ReplyDeleteI immediately ran out to Lowes, but couldn't find cavity caps. Also, couldn't find them on line. Is it possible there is another name for them?
Thanks!
I just found you through RMS - what a great site you have. So glad I stumbled upon you! Very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your talent.
Elizabeth
I just stumbled onto your blog and I have to say that this is the cleverest thing I have seen in blogland in a long time! I thought I was the only one who trolled around in Lowe's and HD looking for interesting materials to make things with! What a great find! My hat's off to you for finding a way to use these!
ReplyDeletethe cavity caps have arrived! it only took bothering trixie for the item number, calling the lowe's help line (long hold time, but worth it - they rock!), talking to the very helpful store manager for my local lowe's too many times to count (hi, keith!) and waiting for a UPS package to arrive from florida...but they're here!
ReplyDeleteThe reason you may not be able to find these beauties in your hd or lowe's is that they are only stocked in florida & either arkansas or alabama..i was too stoked to listen once lowe's agreed to ups them to my local store (and the store mgr agreed not to press charges for stalking him - yeah!)
I would have given up more easily if i didn't have mirror envy, Trixie. Thanks for the inspiration & tutorial!
I love this! I love the colors and the unique design! I'm so going to have to borrow this idea!
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing a lovely wall color in your pictures...kind of a light teal green/blue...do you have the info on the paint color you used?
ReplyDeleteJackie
jjrusk (at) gmail.com
I keep seeing a lovely wall color in your pictures...kind of a light teal green/blue...do you have the info on the paint color you used?
ReplyDeleteJackie
jjrusk (at) gmail.com
I would like to have the item number for these cavity caps as well. These can not be found at my store in Texas either. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove this!!! I was so glad to see Kelli's post, my Home Depot and Lowes looked at me like I was a crazy woman. Would you post the item # for the rest of us. I look forward to the tutorial, I hope you include the paint colors you used...they are perfect for my home too. Thanks for the great post.
ReplyDeleteLove the mirror. Please post the item number for the cavity cap so that we can purchase them. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI love your mirror, how did you attach the cavity caps to the MDF?
ReplyDeleteI Googled mirror decorating ideas and I came across this and must stay its absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! love the colors, design, and the way the mirror just stands out!!!
ReplyDeleteI live in Northern Indiana and wanted to know the item/part # so I can order the cavity. I purchased 2 squares mirrors off a clearance rack and have been dying to decorate them up.
Also, how did you paint these?? What type of paint did you use?? I would love to try to this because it looks fun and challenging, plus it will look perfect on my bedroom wall.
Thank you for sharing your ideas with us :)
Missy