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Hide a home office or divide open-plan living with a three-panel screen built of medium density fiberboard (MDF).
Step 1: Mark Up the Panels
Step 2: Drill the Corner Holes
Step 3: Make the Leg Cutouts
Step 4: Attach the Moldings
Step 5: Paint the Panels
Step 6: Smooth the Top Coat
Step 7: Add the Mirror
Step 8: Secure the Hinges
Use a framing square and ruler to mark up the cutout lines for the legs and the position of the three molding panels.
Use a 1-in. Forstner bit to drill corner holes to start the leg cutouts just inside the lines.
Use a jigsaw and sharp wood blade to make the leg cutouts, curving the corners then rounding the edges slightly using a cork sanding block with 220-grit sandpaper.
Cut the moldings to length with mitered corners. Drill 1/16-in. pilot holes to prevent splitting and secure the vertical sides with wood glue and 1-in. brad nails. Test-fit the top and base moldings, securing with glue and brads.
Use a 3-in. brush to apply a coat of brown-tinted primer to the panels and leave to dry. Smooth lightly with 220-grit sandpaper then apply two coats of acrylic white gloss.
Use a random orbital sander with 180-grit sandpaper to smooth the edges of the panels slightly, removing part of the acrylic to reveal the primer coat for distressed finish. Finish with a coat of clear polyurethane.
Apply glass adhesive to the back of the mirror and on the panels, drop the mirror in position and agitate to bed it securely.
Position non-mortise hinges (we used brass) 4-in. from the top and 20-in. from the base of the panel. Drill 1/16-in. pilot holes, secure one side of the hinge then position the adjacent panel at 90° and secure.