This project was built and designed by Jon Peters from Longview Woodworking. It features a layered, vintage-style frame built to enhance the look of an old mirror with beveling and character—using accessible materials and precision joinery.
The design blends MDF, poplar, and plywood to create a detailed profile that looks like something straight out of an antique shop. Jon walks through each step in his video, making this an inspiring project for woodworkers who want to experiment with molding, layering, and decorative shaping.
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Breathing Life Into a Vintage Mirror
Jon found an aged mirror at a garage sale with just enough charm to spark an idea. While the glass showed signs of wear, the beveled edge and slight imperfections made it ideal for a custom frame that could highlight its character.
The first step was to remove the mirror from its original frame. This allowed for exact measurements and gave Jon a fresh starting point to create a new structure from scratch.
Building the Subframe
Every element of the design builds on a strong foundation. Jon creates a square subframe using plywood and biscuit joinery. The frame is glued, clamped, and left to dry overnight for maximum strength.
This structure supports the layered moldings and gives the project its shape. Precision here ensures the mirror fits tightly and the moldings align cleanly.
Cutting and Layering Moldings
Jon uses a mix of MDF and poplar scrap to make the decorative moldings. By layering profiles and cutting custom pieces, he builds up depth and visual contrast.
Inner Molding
The first layer is a bevel-cut molding made from MDF. It slightly overlaps the edge of the mirror, securing it in place without glue or fasteners on the glass itself.
Narrow Accent Strip
Next comes a thin MDF strip to break up the profile. This piece adds a clean visual line and transitions to the more detailed outer moldings.
Bead Molding
Jon uses a bead-cutting blade to shape poplar into traditional bead molding. These rounded profiles create texture and evoke a classic trim style often seen in vintage furniture.
Back Molding with Reveal
A wider angled molding is added to the back of the frame, creating a half-inch reveal so the piece sits closer to the wall when hung. Jon uses a spacer to keep this reveal consistent across all four sides.
Complex Center Molding
The most eye-catching feature of the frame is a stepped molding that looks like a decorative valley. Jon creates this pattern by cutting angled MDF strips, then cross-cutting them into blocks with reversed angles.
Spacing the blocks evenly is tricky, but Jon anticipates slight inconsistencies. He makes micro-adjustments by trimming individual blocks and assigning them numbered positions around the frame. This strategy keeps the pattern aligned without visible gaps.
Thoughtful Design and Planning
Throughout the build, Jon uses careful layout techniques to maintain symmetry and clean transitions between moldings. Each piece is cut and dry-fitted before final assembly, and his use of reference marks ensures consistent alignment.
The result is a multi-dimensional frame that balances structure with style. Even simple materials like MDF and plywood are elevated through precision and layered design.
Prepping for Finish
While Jon focuses mainly on the construction in the video, the final steps include painting and distressing. His goal is to achieve a worn, antique look that complements the aged glass of the mirror.
The finishing process may involve a base coat, highlights, and sanding to reveal underlying layers. This step adds personality and completes the vintage aesthetic of the piece.
Why This Frame Project Stands Out
This project isn’t just about looks—it offers solid woodworking lessons too:
- Creative reuse: The use of scrap wood and an old mirror shows how existing materials can be turned into something beautiful.
- Layered molding design: Multiple trim profiles combine to create depth and character without needing complex router setups.
- Function meets form: Features like the half-inch reveal and carefully planned joints ensure the frame is both durable and display-ready.
Whether you’re building a showpiece or enhancing an old family item, this project delivers a mix of creativity, skill, and thoughtful execution.
A Project for All Skill Levels
Jon breaks the process down in a way that’s accessible for anyone who’s comfortable with basic saw work and layout tools. Even if you’re newer to woodworking, the step-by-step approach helps make this an achievable build.
For more experienced woodworkers, the center molding challenge and finishing techniques add enough complexity to keep it interesting.
Support Jon by visiting his website: https://jonpeters.com/collections/plans/.