As luck would have it, I found a beautiful, large, mahogany antique mirror a few weeks ago at one of my favorite antique junk shops...for only $12.

It is the perfect size to make into a very large medicine cabinet door (above the sink) in the new bathroom. So this is the first do-it-yourself project for my own bath, but will also be useful for you.


 
The finish on the mirror frame was old, blotchy, cracking, and yellowed. With a little sand paper and alot of elbow grease, I was able to sand it down to the beautiful natural mahogany wood. I decided to leave the old gilding on the medallion at the top.


 
Although I love mahogany, I really wanted this to have a more rustic modern and lighter finish. I was going for the bleached, limed, look. This should contrast nicely with the Carrara marble tiles being installed.







 
 

 
After sanding thoroughly and wiping the wood dust off, I rubbed in the Liberon liming wax with #0000 steel wool. By just working one side of the frame at a time, I was able to control the amount of white pigment that remained on the wood. I just buffed it on (it will look pasty white) and let it sit for 3 minutes.


 


 
Then, with a clean, lint free rag, I buffed on the Liberon Neutral Fine Paste Wax. This removes the white foggy film that the liming leaves on the wood. Be sure to apply this wax generously, leave it on for 30 minutes and then buff it out with another clean, lint free rag.

I did this last step of applying the natural wax 3 times in order to have a nice layer of protection on the frame as it will be hanging in a damp bathroom environment. This paste wax is SO easy to use and it gives the wood a beautiful european finish that glows. 


 
Here is what it looks like now! I'm only giving you a small peek so that I won't ruin the grand surprise when the new bathroom is unveiled. 

Here are a few more examples of limed furniture.


Cote Sud via All Things Painted and Plastered

This limed furniture is very white. I've seen many an old antique chair out there that would look beautiful limed and it is so easy to do!


The New 18h Century Style...John Saladino
Here is an entire room that is paneled in limed wood!

You can either purchase these waxes through the links I have provided above or at your local MacBeath Hardwood Store.