DIY Mercury Glass Christmas centrepiece

I’ve always admired the look of mercury glass – that slightly antiqued, mottled, silvery finish like an old mirror.

This post has been underwritten by Flowers For Everyone flower delivery Perth.

Nothing says Christmas like shiny metallics. Real silver is beautiful, but of course it’s hugely expensive, not to mention time-consuming to maintain. And fake metallics can look tacky.

Mercury glass, on the other hand, looks timeless and elegant, and you can DIY your own faux version for super cheap. Here’s how!

Step One: Gather clear glass vessels

I bought a variety of cheap-as-chips glassware from The Reject Shop. Vases, jars and votive holders all work well.

Try to choose vessels of different sizes and heights. Ridges or patterns on the glassware will also add visual interest.

Step Two: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle

Lightly spray the inside of your glass vessel so that beads and droplets of water form.

Step 3: Spray with looking-glass paint

Lightly spray the inside surface of the glass with mirror spray-paint. I used this brand:

I found mine at Bunnings (Australia). In the U.S. it’s available at Hobby Lobby and Michaels, among other places.

Step 4: Repeat layers of water and spray paint

Keep building up the layers by repeating this process – a light spray of water, then a spray of paint.

The vinegar/water mixture “resists” the paint, resulting in a distressed look from the droplets of water.

I also used a tissue to dab at the moisture and create a bit more of a distressed effect in places.

You can see how the colour builds up after a few layers, giving a solid mirror-like finish.

Step 5: Leave your mercury glass vase to dry

And that’s it! Leave it to dry, and your mercury glass vessel will be ready to add some elegant Christmas style to your home.

I spray-painted some foliage gold, copper and white to style my vases.

Fresh flowers would also make an elegant table centrepiece. To create a classic Christmas feel, choose snowy-white blooms and mix them up with metallics.

This little DIY couldn’t be easier – I hope you’ll let me know if you give it a try! xo