Frugal decor - my entry way (attempt at faux stain glass)

The front door of my house opens into a dim hallway. I have to admit, its probably the one part of the house that I don't really like. Its okay - there is an existing mirror there that does reflect the light into the hallway BUT, I don't like doors opening straight on to a mirror - besides being bad feng shui (chi energy coming into the house is immediately deflected out again), its also very startling and depressing to see oneself upon entering the house after a long day at work.

I thought about buying a stain glass panel from an antique shop or a recycled building supplies shop BUT - OMG, have you seen the prices of those panels?? All of them were above $100! (and the ones I liked were over $200).

So I ended up trying my hand at painting the mirror a la faux stain glass look. Since it was my first time, I decided to use the children's "Arti-stick" paint - (the kind that you can peel off hehe). Paint (different colours) cost me $55 (and there's still half left for another project).

Anyway, here's the result:

The paint is transparent enough so that the mirror is still reflecting light into the hallway BUT its no longer mirror like. The flower is a lotus by the way :P

I think its okay for a first attempt. Actually that's my second attempt. My first attempt was I painted it then hung up the mirror BEFORE the paint dried.... and the paint ran down the mirror. Damn that gravity!

Table - existing but painted distressed white at the bottom. Doily from op shop - 50c. Vase - existing. Books from bookcase and costed earlier. Chinese doll is one of my daughter's given to her by a workmate of mine.

Anyway, its an improvement from the old dim hallway. I might try a few more projects like these then I *might* re-do it the painting but I'm happy with it for now.

Total cost of furnishing this entryway = $55.50.