skip to main content

mirror question - plastic 'flower' between mirror and screw

16 years ago

I am updating my bathrooms prior to selling my home. One bathroom has a vanity-wide wall mirror (circa 1968) that is hung with corner screws that are seated in little plastic flower-looking things. Rather than removing the entire mirror and replacing it ($$$) I wondered if I could just get less dated looking plastic (or mirrored?) pieces to replace the current ones. Does anyone know if such a thing exists, and if so what it is called and whether that is as easy as it appears to do (unscrew one at a time, replacing old piece with new one)? Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

arlene11
16 years ago
We have 3 large mirrors in our house. The half bath is 5ft. square, the vanity for the master bath is 4'high and 8' wide, and the master bath is 5' high and 9' wide. All three mirrors are glued on, so there are no visible attachments. They have been in place since 1995, so there's no issue with them falling. Home Depot sells mirror adhesive in a caulking tube specifically for this use for about $3. Many builders use it and it would allow you to remove the visible attachment brackets. I believe the mirror would have to be resting on your backsolash to support the weight.
User
16 years ago
Another thing I have seen and am intrigued with (several posters here have used ) is the framing on the wall mirror.
mirr edge is one I saw at lowes and there is also mirror mate. ( I just looked and mirror mate seems to have a lot more options, but of course i more $)
mirredge.com and mirrormate.com
Related Discussions
Wall mirror/paint caulking?
Q
Comments (2)
When we updated our master bath and removed the large frameless mirror (now have two - one over each sink), we hired the company that put the mirror up to come take it down. I can't remember if ours had those clips, but our mirror was actually glued. They had to heat the mirror to get it down. So, first I'd want to know if yours was glued. If so, I wouldn't try to take down (just to paint). tina
...See More
Mirrors are hung & a few questions
Q
Comments (27)
Your bedroom is looking beautiful. I'm in the camp that says your mirrors are a bit too high and too far to the side of your posts. Instead of craft paper to mock up your plates, try putting your plate on a copier, then tape the copies on he wall. Gorgeous plates btw. Taping up pics of the plates may give you a good idea of whether the plates look good or odd in the bedroom. I have one of the Mottaheda tobacco leaf charger plates that I've set on a plate stand on top of my lingerie chest in my bedroom and have never thought it out of place. I too think your headboard is sufficient without art above it. OTH I have a big 4 poster and have always had something above /behind the headboard. In the 80's I covered the whole wall of my bedroom behind the bed in a Mario Buatta chintz, covering a small inconvenient window in the process. In a different house in 2000's I hung a big impressionist oil of flowers over my bed. In the house we're building I'm committed to artwork over the bed because I put a recessed outlet there for a light. It's such a personal thing, but if you want something over your bed your wall can handle it. If not, it's very nice as is. PS, I'm probably in the middle age between you and mtnrdredux and I'm in the "reduce the # of pillows" on the bed camp, but def prop the shams, not stack.
...See More
How to hang a big mirror?
Q
Comments (11)
No I think molly's are like these http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/inffastener/i/molly1.jpg The ones in your picture are toggle bolts, one draw back is that they are not as precise, and seem to require tightening down for it to work, so there won't be a bolt stick out for you to hang with, unless you use that to secure a cleat or bracket. I used 2 hollow wall anchors (molly) like above picture, but as a fail safe, I also strung a 100 lb rated wire between the two, onto a earth quake proof hook in the center (it's got a maze for the wire so it's hard to come off), the wire is not under tension, it's just incase an anchor fails it will not fall into the ground. That hook is fastened into a stud with a 3" screw and rated for 100 lbs. Of course everything is still at the mercy of the hook on the back of the mirror though. Where I live, at home depot they have a earth quake area that sells the hooks and muesum wax, cabinet brackets etc, that's where I get the hook with the maze in it.
...See More
Question about hanging a mirror
Q
Comments (7)
The directions for Loctite mirror adhesive state "This product must be used with a permanent support system." So I called to confirm and they said that I can't rely solely on the adhesive to hold the mirror. Some additional mechanical support must be used. But I got the sense from the rep on the phone that this might be for liability issues, especially with much larger mirrors. Anyone else think I'll be OK just using this to support the mirror? Or is there something that is better for floating a mirror?
...See More
sweeby
16 years ago
The trouble with the glue or frame ideas is that you'd still have those holes in the mirror. If you do go that route, you could glue on some sort of bead or upholstery tack to cover the hole - though that may look a bit odd. Or get/build a frame that's wide enough to cover the holes completely.

You could look for an attractive 'backplate' like those used for cabinet knobs. Some are fairly small (maybe 1 1/2") in diameter and many are quite attractive. But those would be more visible, not less.

If your little mirror rosettes are simply ugly and broken, you can get new ones at HD or Lowes in the aisle with all the tiny drawers.

Let us know if you try something interesting --
weedyacres
16 years ago
I made a mitered frame from door casing trim, hooked it over the top of the mirror, and it covered the little flowered things and the screws.
nlcl
Original Author
16 years ago
Wow - your mirror frame is really nice!

I have gone back and forth for weeks (using up all my available time, I might add) trying to figure out how to best spend my money to sell the house. I don't have enough time/money to do what I would do were I planning to stay in the house. But it won't work to just slap a coat of paint up there either. Anyway, I have decided that the best approach for me is to spend as little money as possible in the hall/kids bath and use most of the money for the master bath. So in the hall, I literally do not have the money for a new frame (because I am not handy and would end up paying someone to do it for me). I will add also, that they put the screws WAY in on the mirror - about 6" in, so it would end up being a very deep frame.

As I was gazing upon the mirror this morning, it just occured to me that maybe the mirror industry had made something a little nicer since 1968. Or even a little round mirrored piece to use so it would blend better. I'll check the "little bin" section of Lowes/HD and see what I can find. Thanks, everyone!

I love this website!

Related Stories

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Choosing a Deck: Plastic or Wood?

By Vanessa Brunner

Get the pros and cons of wood, plastic, composite and more decking materials, plus a basic price comparison

FEEL-GOOD HOME The Question That Can Make You Love Your Home More

By Laura Gaskill

Change your relationship with your house for the better by focusing on the answer to something designers often ask

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry

By Susan Redman

Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin

ORGANIZING Pre-Storage Checklist: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Store

By Laura Gaskill

Wait, stop. Do you really need to keep that item you’re about to put into storage?

MOST POPULAR 8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting With Your Designer

By Kelli Kaufer Designs

Thinking in advance about how you use your space will get your first design consultation off to its best start

REMODELING GUIDES Survive Your Home Remodel: 11 Must-Ask Questions

By Mitchell Parker

Plan ahead to keep minor hassles from turning into major headaches during an extensive renovation

DECORATING GUIDES Quick Fix: Protect Your Mirrors!

By Vanessa Brunner

See how a common carpet protector can save your mirrors, too

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: A Mirror for Every Wall

By Two Story Cottage

Simple to showstopping, these mirrors fit every need — and every room in the home

DECORATING GUIDES It’s a Mirror-acle! 5 Ways to Make Reflecting Walls Work

By Bryan Anthony

From the bedroom to the outdoors, mirrored walls can help reflect light and create the illusion of space

BATHROOM WORKBOOK How to Get Your Bathroom Vanity Lighting Right

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

Create a successful lighting plan with tips on where to mount fixtures and other design considerations

Sponsored

More Discussions

Minimum space between backlit led mirror and wall

1

Need recommendations on paint color!

1

Bathroom countertop material

2

Master Bath Remodel

4

remodeling basement bathroom.

0