Dollar Store Decor: Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault’s DIY Mercury Glass Vases

Photo: Michael Carson

DIY Dollar Store Decor From Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault

Looking for wallet-friendly ways to deck your halls this holiday? No one’s better than decorating on a dime than do-it-yourself expert Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault. As a television personality on Cityline and spokesperson for Rust-Oleum, Perrault regularly breathes new life into old items on a super-tight budget. Here, she reveals how to step up your holiday decor with a DIY treatment that gives dollar store vases the look of luxurious mercury glass.

Photo: Michael Carson

What You’ll Need to Give Dollar Store Vases a Mercury Glass Upgrade:

• Dollar store glass vases
• Drop cloth or old sheet
• Disposable gloves
• Lint-free rags
• Krud-Kutter® Concentrated Cleaner
• White vinegar
• Spray bottle of water (with mist setting)
• Rust-Oleum® Specialty Mirror Effect spray paint in the colour of your choice

Love decorating on a dime? Check out our design expert’s Fave Finds from the New IKEA Catalogue!

Photo: Michael Carson

How to Give Dollar Store Vases a Mercury Glass Upgrade: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: To begin, move the glass vases to an open area, either outdoors or in a well-ventilated space such as a garage, and cover nearby items with drop cloths to protect them from over-spray when painting.

Step 2: Using a lint-free rag and Krud-Kutter cleaner, thoroughly clean, rinse and dry the glass surface to ensure that any sticky labels, dust or dirt are removed.

Step 3: Fill the spray bottle with one part water to one part white vinegar and gently shake to mix.

Step 4: Place the first glass item upside down on the centre of a cloth.

Step 5: Put on your disposable gloves and shake the can of Mirror Effect spray paint well for about two minutes.

Step 6: Holding the can approximately 8 inches away from the glass, apply a light coat of the paint around all glass surfaces.

Step 7: As soon as the glass is well coated with the Mirror Effect paint and while still wet, lightly mist the painted surface with the vinegar and water solution in the spray bottle. The mixture will react with the paint to create a speckled mercury glass patina.

Step 8: Repeat steps 6 and 7 on each of the remaining glass pieces and let dry for approximately 10 minutes.

Step 9: To protect the mercury glass paint finish, apply a light coating of Ultra Cover 2x Matte Clear Finish to all of the glass before placing on display.

Step 10: Let your creativity run wild to style your DIY mercury vases around the house, for centrepieces, etc.

Love DIY decorating? Check out Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault’s Budget-Friendly Wooden Hanger Fixes!