Description
Would you believe this window was made entirely from ordinary cardboard, kitchen towel tubes, and toilet paper roll tubes? I used mirror reflective paper to create the mirror effect, along with a bit of cardboard, some reflective trim, and just a touch of clay for the decorative embellishments. What looks like metal and glass is actually lightweight, recycled, and entirely handmade!
Materials List
- Cardboard
- Design To make grill
- Kitchen Towel Tubes Or Toilet paper Tubes
- Acrylic Metallic Paints
- Scissors
- Glue Gun
- Reflective Mirror Paper
- Air Dry Clay
- Stamps For Clay
Dimensions:
Side Panels: 29.5″ By 9″
Mirror Panel : 29.5″ By 13.5″
Video Tutorial
For more clarity I have included time stamps from video with the steps below. I recomend you use written instructions with the video for full experience.
Step By Step Instructions
- Prepare the Frames
I started by creating frames for two Identical window side panels. I cutout 8 cardboard strips that are 29.5″by 1″ and 8 cardboard strips that were 9″ by 1″. To make the frame sturdy, I stuck two strips for each side of the frame. That means I used 4 short and 4 long strips of cardboard for each pannel. The same way I made center panel frame but The strips were 29.5″ by 1.5″ and 13.5″ by 1.5″.
2. Next I cut out two 0.5″ by 27.5″ cardboard strips and other two 0.5″ by 7″ cardboard strips. These will be divider strips. Then I Placed a symmetrical picture of grill under the frame and attach the divider strips on the frame. The picture under the frame acts as refence so I could stick the dividers exactly in the center.
Watch steps 1-2 on the video for more clarity at time stamps 0:26 t0 4:06
3. After two side panels frames with dividers were made, I proceeded to make the center panel. For this I cutout two 0.5″ wide cardboard strips out of cardboard. Made them pliable. formed arch shape with the strip. Using glue gun, I stuck the arch in place.
4. I then cut out two 1″ by 26″ strips and stuck them together. Then I cutout eight 1″ by 5″ strips. I stuck two strips together to make 4 sturdy strips. and then I stuck two short strips to make two sturdy short strips. Then I stuck long strip in the center of the panel. To decide placement of four short strips I just snapped them in place. When I was happy with their placement I stuck them inplace using glue gun.
Watch steps 3-4 on the video at time stamp 4:08 to 6:09
5. Next I covered all the rough edges of the cardboard panels using paper napkins and school glue.
6. The dividers on side side panels seemed quite wobbly and bent. To make them sturdy and cover their rough edges I stuck masking tape on the dividers of side panels.
Watch steps 5-6 on video at timestamp
6:14 to 7:24
7. Next, I painted all three panels with White acrylic paint which acts as primer. After White paint dried Painted it over with black and then with metallic bronze acrylic paint.
8. To make grill on side panels I used kitchen towel tubes. I cut the tubes lengthwise, painted them Bronze. Drew lines that were 0.5″ apart and cut out 0.5″ wide strips out of the tubes.
9. I glued the strips together to make them longer. Then, I wound the strips around a pencil to create coils and glued them in place, referring to the picture placed under the side panel frame.
10.I placed the center panel on the reflective mirror paper and traced the shape of the arch and the panel onto the mirror paper. Then, I cut out the traced mirror paper and glued it to the back of the center panel.
watch steps 8-10 on the video at time stamp 7:49 to 10:49
11. Using air-dry clay and a stamp, I made a square motif and glued it onto the side panel grill and on four corners of center panel as well. Then, using a silicone border mold, I created a decorative clay border and attached it around the center panel frame.
watch this step on video. the timestamp at 10:56 to 11:24
12. Finally I painted the clay motif and the border to match the frame color and displayed the three panels on the wall.
Watchthe final look of the mirrored window in real time on the video.
The timestamp is at s 11:32-11:37
Tips
Accurate Measurements
There aren’t too many tricky parts in this DIY, but accurate measurements make a big difference. When cutting the divider strips for the window panels, be sure to measure carefully so everything aligns neatly.
Mind the Background Design
While sticking the central strips or paper roll scrolls in place, make sure the base design underneath doesn’t accidentally stick to the cardboard frame. This helps keep the layers crisp and clean.
Length Of The Arch Strip
To determine the length of the arch strip, take a double sheet of newspaper and crumple it lengthwise into a rope. Place it inside the center frame to measure how long the strip needs to be to form a perfect arch.
Backstory
I was brainstorming ideas for my YouTube channel when I came across a beautiful window design online — and suddenly, a light bulb went off in my head. I’d seen plenty of paper roll tube crafts before, and somehow, everything just clicked. As soon as I saw that window, the entire design started forming in my mind using the materials I already had.
That’s the magic of crafting: sometimes, inspiration strikes out of nowhere, and before you know it, you’re creating something unexpected with the simplest materials. It’s always amazing to see how an idea evolves and surprises you along the way.
Final Word
I hope you enjoyed this creative transformation! If you liked this project, Please checkout my other furniture projects on this blog. You might find an inspiration for your own masterpiece!
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The links to my other furniture on the blog are below.
Happy crafting and thanks for stopping by!
