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DIY Sunburst Mirror & Bookcase Built-Ins

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We worked at our friend Keith the Fireman‘s house all day on Saturday, and made lots of fun progress on his living room. He was on duty while we were working, so I breathed a big sigh of relief when he sent me an “I Love it!!!” text the next morning after got home. It made me feel so grateful to be able to share my passion for design with him. It made me feel so thankful for all the people and projects that have been a part of this makeover so far. 🙂

I’m thankful for sunburst mirror inspiration…and that Hobby Lobby carries .59 cent dowels, and 50% off mirrors, and 40% off gold spray paint.

DIY Sunburst Mirror 1

I’m thankful for fast-drying hot glue, and an amazing kid named Cade who helped us from start to finish on this project.

DIY Sunburst Mirror

I’m thankful for Cade’s dad, Brian the Carpenter– and for the hours he spent making our old bookcases look totally new in Keith’s living room this weekend.

Fireplace Makeover Rustic Mantel

I’m thankful that the TJ Maxx lamps (that I’ve had stashed away in a closet for two years) have finally found the perfect home on Keith’s mantel.

Rustic Wood Mantel Lettered Cottage Fireplace Makeover

I’m thankful for concealed cords…

Rustic Mantel Fireplace Makeover Lettered Cottage Billy Bookcase Built In

…and that Keith loves the way our $25 “sun” looks against the blue-gray barn boards behind it.

Sunburst Mirror Rustic Beam Mantel Fireplace Makeover

Last but not least, I’m thankful for my relationship with this guy:

The_Lettered_Cottage_Kevin_And_Layla

His passion is making music (not interior design), but he’s always such an easy-going sport when it comes to me and my wild (decorating) hairs.

“Hey honey! I saw on Facebook that Keith from church just bought his first house and I was thinking it would be fun to help him with his living room. Would that be okay? I could come up with a suuuuuper budget-friendly plan, and maybe I could reach out to some folks and see if they would be interested in donating their time or construction materials? Ooh! And we could bring over those Billy bookcases and TJ Maxx lamps we’re not using, too. Ooh! And those chunky wood corbels I got for $4 at Eastbrook. Those would be so cool underneath the mantel I’m already picturing in my head. What do you think? Would that be okay? I think it could be really fun!“. #SheSaidInASingleBreath

He always says yes…and I always smooch his entire face. 🙂

His demeanor is so inspiring, and I love it when we get to put our heads together on stuff like this! #NoPunIntended (see photo above) 😉

PS- To check out all of my Keith-related posts, click here: Keith’s Living Room Makeover.

…and for more makeover pics between posts, join us over on Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram!

Instagram Pic_Lettered_Cottage

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Comments

  7. Are those really pieces of old barn wood or did you “age” new wood. If you “aged”, can you tell me exactly how you got it to look like that, it is gorgeous!!!!!!! We are doing a “partial” DIY renovation on a 1935 Craftsman & it is exactly what I would like to do…. Love the gray!!!!

  10. So sweet! And I looooove the diy mirror. Just looking at it, I never would’ve guessed it was diy. I have a new project to try. My hubs will be thrilled! (Can you detect the sarcasm there?)He is a little more reluctant with my hair brained decorating schemes, but is a good sport in the end! Haha!

  12. Super cute look. Your projects amaze me – if anyone would have told me they could build a really sweet starburst mirror with little dowels, I would have thought – yeah, and a real cheesy look, too. But your mirror looks absolutely fabulous and professional (as do all your projects). Great inspiration!

  14. It’s looking so beautiful! I’m looking forward to finding out more about what you do with the inside of the fireplace. Curious if you paint it or not? (I’m about to give our’s a facelift). Also, your love & appreciation for your husband always shows even in the photo’s. Nice to hear sweet words about your relationship!

  15. OMGosh! that starburst is GORGEOUS!!!! it is always amazing to me the vision you have with design . . . . I love learning things with you! stay well . . . . . . 🙂

  16. I loved your planned design, but even more that you are willing to “change it up” along the way. Just curious, will you still be adding the rock under the mantel?

  17. I’m always grateful to have wonderful bloggers (this means YOU two!) who offer inspriation and reasonable (budget wise and DIY-wise) projects.

  18. You have definitely got the love, friendship and respect thing down. Also the playfulness that makes life together work. You can see it everyday and in everything you do, like this beautiful redone for Keith. Love it.

  21. It’s looking great! Can’t wait to see the rest!!

    Just curious, why were the horns above the fireplace replaced with the sunburst?

  23. Layla…I agree you got a keeper there! Your are the perfect couple…I love seeing what your are up to…you both have a heart of GOLD!

  24. Why does this post make me miss you guys so much?! I just want to be there right beside you guys and do everything with you. I’m gonna have to moved down to Bama, aren’t I?

    I love the fireplace, but I love you and Kevin more.

    Can’t wait to see you in Oct!

    xoxo

    • I loved finding this here from you, Sweet T!!!!! 😀 Thank you so much for always being so sunny! I am thankful for your friendship, too! XO

  25. Hi Layla. PLEASE buy your husband a table for his saw
    . I am old so my knees are shot so standing is better than squatting, I didn’t care when I was your age so……. Also, it is safer. Love your blog.
    PS I still squat up and down so I should take my own advice. (:

    • Hi Alice! We were actually using Brian’s saw that day. Since we only had a few dowels to cut for our project, we just pulled ‘er out, set ‘er down and got to choppin’! 😀 Thankfully it only took about 15 minutes of sittin’- LOL!

  26. Layla! Keith’s makeover is looking great!! (Sigh) I sure could use your help right now on a project in our bedroom – I’m super stuck…Painted some new wardrobes a color that I absolutely love, but it’s just not looking quite right in there (do I need to repaint the walls? the wardrobes? add accessories???) – Makes me want to cry because it took all weekend to get them done and installed, and it weighs heavily on me until it’s the way I see it in my mind’s eye…
    I’m all over the blogosphere searching for inspiration!!!!

    • Maybe a couple of pillows made with a fun fabric that pulls in your wall color and your new wardrobe color?

  29. Wish there was a step by step tutorial. I love that mirror but no way mine would turn out that way with out detailed instructions. I’m just not crafty like that 🙁

    Thanks for the eye candy!

    • Hi Janice!

      We just kind of “winged it” as we went, but here are the “in a nutshell” instructions:

      1) Gather up a 9″ or 10″ round mirror, 16 wood dowels, a can of gold spray paint and your hot glue gun.
      2) Use a miter saw to cut sixteen 10.25″ dowels, sixteen 7-5/8″ dowels, and sixteen 5-1/8″ dowels.
      3) Spray dowels and mirror frame gold. (We took the mirror part out before we sprayed it.)
      4) Put the mirror back in the frame.
      5) Hot glue all the dowels to the back side of the mirror frame.

      Once we figured out that we could crumple up wads of paper towels to use underneath the ends of the dowels to keep them straight as the glue was drying, we were in business! 😀

  30. Love the wall and mantel. It’s also pretty cool that Lowe’s just repinned your project.

  31. Layla, I just love you and your blog! Your thankful attitude is like a breath of fresh air. I’m very much looking forward to all the progress y’all make on your new cottage. Love that DIY mirror, too. I’m thankful for all the inspiration received from TLC!

    • Thank you so much for leaving such a kind comment, Jennifer! I’m thankful for it, too! 😀

  33. Your projects are always wonderful and such and inspiration – but what I love most about your blog is the positive attitude and love you project for your hubby and everything you do. You are an inspiration and a blessing to many people!

    Blessings to you and Kevin,
    Darlene

  36. Wow! You guys are really making things look great at Keith’s. Love the rustic mantel and the sun burst mirror.
    You do have a wonderful man by your side—accomodating your need for help with projects and some serious SKILLS!

  37. Oh wow it’s all coming together so perfectly!!!! I can’t wait to see it finished!! You two are so incredibly adorable and amazingly talented!!!! You’re a great team!!

  40. And Layla, I ‘m THANKFUL for you! I love reading your entries… you always inspire and re-fresh. Everything you do is so reachable for those of us that don’t have a lot of money. I too, am blessed with a lovable guy… that listens to my ‘one-sentence ideas’ and responds with an OK! Love him for it. By the way, he knows ‘who’ Layla is, ’cause I talk about you all the time! lol

  42. you are adorable.
    i love how you love kevin.

    the mantle looks wonderful…every detail looks so finished! can’t wait to see how you do up the rest of his house. 🙂

  44. Sigh – even your clothes are colour coordinated when you work! I adore your work Layla – so aesthetically soothing and pleasing. I wish I had your eye.

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