Anthropologie Gleaming Primrose Mirror Dupe Using Kirkland's Black Ornate Antique Carved Mirror

July 25, 2022

There's nothing like getting a Kirkland's gift card for Mother's Day. Gift cards always make me feel special, and ultimately convince me to purchase something I wouldn't normally purchase -- heck, it's like a carte blanche to shop, but without any guilt! And this time I think I really hit it out of the ball park.

fancy gold wall mirror on mantel with vase and candles

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As a DIY home decor blogger, I routinely participate in social media -- especially Instagram. And as such, it's been virtually impossible for me avoid exposure to some of the most sought after "in" home decor items from time to time. One such "in" item was a large, gorgeous gold mirror: the Arhaus Amelie Mirror In Gold. I literally drooled over that thing for months!

Then I learned about the Anthropologie Gleaming Primrose Mirror, another gorgeous Frenchy gold mirror. I loved it.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you have to know that mirrors are traditionally super overpriced. Hence why I usually buy them at thrift stores. But not this time, baby!

Kirkland's black ornate antique mirror mantel decor

Let me introduce you to Kirkland's Black Ornate Antique Carved Mirror. When I saw that Kirkland's mirrors were 25% off I checked them out and found this beauty!

And while $97.49 is WAY more than I spend on anything ($129.99 at 25% off), I had a $100.00 gift card -- so why not? Like I said, I had carte blanche to shop, sans guilt. And that's exactly what I did.

ornate black metal mirror with boxwood wreath

It was in stock at my local store so all I had to do was order it and then pick it up! 


arched black metal antique mirror on mantel

I placed it on my living room fireplace mantel and dreamed and schemed of ways of dressing it up!


black metal arched mirror with chinoiserie ginger jars

Adding some of my chinoiserie ginger jars to the mix was a nice way of adding some color to the vignette.


black metal detail scrolly top of mirror

You can see the ornate detail here.



Rub 'n Buff in Antique Gold tube package paper plate

While I liked the black mirror, what sealed the deal for me was that the first review of the mirror I read said the buyer used Rub 'n Buff to change the color from black to antique gold and that it turned out great. I'm more of a romantic French-inspired decor person myself, so I was excited to try it myself. 


ornate gold mirror on fireplace mantel 


I had just used Rub 'n Buff Metallic Gold Leaf to transform a thrift store mirror, so I knew what a game changer it could be. And it was!

scissors painters tape craft spatula

Besides the Rub 'n Buff and a paint brush, you'll need some painter's tape, scissors and a (optional) craft spatula.

Kirklands black antique mirror painters tape scissors craft spatula

Here's the mirror after taping off the entire thing. This protects the mirror so that the Rub 'N Buff doesn't get on it. 


black mirror blue painters tape

Taping a rounded mirror can be tricky. My one secret is to use a lot of small pieces of tape on the curves, while using longer pieces on the straighter areas of the frame. I explain this in detail in How To Frog Tape And Etch A Round Mirror. Check it out to glean more details about my approach.

The outside frame for this mirror was a bit separated from the mirror itself, so I had to be sure to get the painter's tape underneath this area to fully protect the mirror from the Rub 'N Buff. The way I did this was to use the craft spatula (which I got from Dollar Tree). I slid it underneath the frame and used it to flatten and smooth the tape.

Once the entire mirror was taped off it was time for the Rub 'N Buff application.

bottom view of gold leaf Anthro mirror dupe


I started with the Rub 'N Buff on the underside of the frame to test it out, just in case. 
I almost skipped doing the very bottom of it because I don't plan on hanging it -- so I figured no one would see that part. But then I realized that if I one day wanted to hang it I would be sorry that I didn't put Rub 'N Buff on the bottom.   

NOTE: Rub 'N Buff has a really strong smell, so be sure to use it in well-ventilated areas only. I personally could only do a small portion of the project at a time due to the smell. 

detailed gold leaf mirror corner

I then proceeded to "paint" the rest of the mirror frame with the Rub 'N Buff.


top of round detailed frame painters tape gold leaf

My prior gold mirror transformation involved Rub 'N Buff in Gold Leaf. That's a brighter gold than the Antique Gold Rub 'N Buff I used on this mirror. I wonder how it would look with Gold Leaf instead. Some day I may add the Gold Leaf Rub 'N Buff for a brighter gold effect.

Kirklands antique black mirror covered in gold leaf Rub 'N Buff 

But for now I'm happy with how it looks.


gold scrolly details large wall mirror painters tape

Time to take the painter's tape off!

large gold wall mirror brass candlesticks hydrangea vase deconstructed book bundle

I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. It really did fulfill my dreams of having an Anthropologie Gleaming Primrose Mirror. 

mantel decor deconstructed book bundles Faith Can Move Mountains Bible quote



gold mantel mirror reflecting living room furniture

I dressed it up with a blue and white farmhouse vase, a deconstructed book bundle and some brass candlesticks with white candles.


It really helps brighten up the living room by reflecting the incoming light from three windows.


vintage looking blue and white floral vase with pink hydrangeas







What's not to love?


I was almost giddy when I realized I could be one of "those" bloggers this Christmas (yes, Christmas, don't call me crazy) -- one who decorates their mantel with a glamorous French-y mirror, some garland, and some white taper candles in brass candlesticks. There's definitely something to be said for simplicity.


Do you see what I mean? 

I even have those stockings!

I. Can't. Wait. 

Don't judge, I just love Christmas!

And I love this

Anthropologie Gleaming Primrose Mirror Dupe! 

Well, that's it for today, friends!

I hope you've enjoyed reading about my

Anthropologie Gleaming Primrose Mirror Dupe

From Kirkland's

 and that I've inspired you in some way.

Don't Forget to Pin It!

fancy gold wall mirror on mantel with vase and candles


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Leave a Comment!

Debra@CommonGround said...

Hi Kathleen, this is really gorgeous. The gold is amazing and looks just like an antique. Rub N Buff is a staple at my house. Great job, and lucky you for the gift certificate!

Junkchiccottage said...

Wow what a great transformation and great price. It looks timeless and beautiful. I cannot wait to see it at Christmas with the cute white stockings. Happy Wednesday. xoxo Kris

Ann said...

What a difference! Now I can't wait to see it all decked out for Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous. I love the gold; I have had a love for gold framed mirrors for more than 40 years. I am really tempted to at least dry brush my inherited-from-my-mother-law's mirror with my Rub 'n Buff just to give it more life! I recently thrifted several tubes (1 gold, 1 silver) and didn't realize it was such a treasure! Kathy A

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