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An Hunker report highlights a mercury-glass-effect backsplash Erin Napier used in a Season 3 episode of HGTV’s Home Town as an alternative to tile. The effect can be made on the back of a glass panel with mirror-effect spray paint and a vinegar-and-water solution, though the glass and installation add costs that vary by project.
HGTV designer Erin Napier used a mercury-glass-effect backsplash in Season 3, Episode 10 of Home Town, offering a vintage-style alternative to conventional tile. A report by Hunker says the aged mirror look can be recreated on a glass panel with mirror-effect spray paint and a vinegar-and-water mixture, although the glass itself and any installation work remain separate costs.
Mercury glass, also called silvered glass, is a decorative finish in which a mirror has cloudy areas and speckled marks intended to give it an aged appearance. In the episode, Napier discussed the design with the homeowners and said, “Tile is cool, but we can use glass. We can make it unexpected, and then it’s more personal that way.” Her comments describe the project’s design rationale; they do not establish that glass is suitable for every kitchen or budget.
According to Hunker, the DIY effect is created on the back of a glass panel. The method described starts with a 50-50 mixture of white vinegar and water, sprayed onto the glass, followed immediately by several thin coats of mirror-effect paint. The interaction between the droplets and paint produces cloudy patches. Hunker notes that some online instructions reverse the order of the vinegar and paint, and says either sequence can work.
The report estimates that the vinegar and water and other finishing supplies should cost less than $20, but that figure does not include the glass. Hunker puts made-to-measure glass at roughly $10 to $60 per square foot, depending on type and finish, and says installation labor commonly runs around $80 to $120. Those are estimates cited in the report, not a quote for a specific kitchen. Napier used reclaimed glass, which Hunker says may reduce the material cost.
A Glass Alternative to Tile
The idea gives homeowners who want a distinctive, vintage-inspired backsplash another option besides tile, while using a finish that can be applied to glass rather than buying decorative mercury glass. A small area—such as the wall behind a stove or a coffee station—could limit how much glass is needed, Hunker says. That may make the approach more accessible to people who cannot afford a full-wall installation, but the report does not provide a total project price or establish that the DIY will cost less than a comparable tile job.
The project also shows why the stated price of paint and household supplies should not be confused with the complete cost. Made-to-measure glass, panel thickness, wall support and installation can materially affect the budget. A professional may be useful for fitting and mounting a large or fragile panel, particularly where heat or uneven walls are involved.
For design, the aged mirror finish is most directly suited to rooms where a distressed or traditional look is intentional. Hunker suggests pairing it with distressed cabinets or vintage-style brass hardware. Those are styling suggestions, not requirements for making the finish.
mirror-effect spray paint for glass
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How Napier’s Finish Works
Napier’s example appeared in Season 3, Episode 10 of Home Town, according to Hunker. The report frames it as an alternative to a standard tiled backsplash and describes the glass as reclaimed for the project. It does not identify the homeowners, give the panel’s dimensions or disclose the project’s full cost.
Glass choice matters because a backsplash must withstand normal kitchen use. Hunker says both annealed and tempered glass can be used, while tempered glass is more durable, particularly around heat. It recommends a thickness of at least a quarter-inch for durability, while warning that thicker, heavier sheets may require stronger wall reinforcement. The report describes attaching the panel to drywall with silicone and sealing the edges with caulk, but says professional installation may help avoid scratching or cracking the glass.
To protect the finish, the painted side is installed facing the wall, Hunker says. The paint and vinegar effect is applied to the rear of the panel, rather than the exposed kitchen-facing surface. The source’s instructions are a general DIY description, not a project-specific assessment of local building requirements or a substitute for product instructions.
vintage mercury glass backsplash panels
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Project Costs and Fit
The source does not give the total cost of Napier’s installation, the amount of reclaimed glass used or a final cost for recreating the design in a different kitchen. The cited per-square-foot and labor figures are broad estimates; actual prices can vary with glass type, dimensions, finish, location and installation needs. The under-$20 figure applies to additional DIY supplies, not the complete backsplash.
It is also not clear whether every wall, stove location or existing cabinet layout can accommodate the same panel and mounting method. Hunker’s account identifies tempered glass as more durable around heat, but does not give a product-specific temperature rating or address the requirements of a particular cooktop. Homeowners would need to check the glass maker’s guidance and assess their wall and appliance setup before proceeding.
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Check Glass Before Installing
Anyone considering the look would first need to measure the intended backsplash area and obtain a glass panel suited to its location. Hunker advises choosing a durable panel, considering tempered glass near heat, and accounting for the weight of thicker sheets. The panel maker’s instructions and any applicable local requirements should guide material selection and mounting.
After testing the vinegar-and-paint effect on a suitable surface, the finished panel should be installed with the painted side against the wall and its edges sealed, according to Hunker. Because glass can crack or scratch during handling, the report says professional installation is an option. No further Home Town project details or specific product endorsement are provided in the source.
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Key Questions
What backsplash alternative did Erin Napier use?
In Home Town Season 3, Episode 10, Napier used a mercury-glass-effect backsplash, an aged, cloudy mirror look applied to glass.
How does the DIY mercury-glass effect work?
Hunker describes spraying the back of a glass panel with a 50-50 mixture of white vinegar and water, then applying several thin coats of mirror-effect spray paint. The interaction creates cloudy spots; the painted side faces the wall when installed.
How much does the project cost?
Hunker estimates the additional finishing supplies cost less than $20. It separately cites made-to-measure glass at about $10 to $60 per square foot and installation labor around $80 to $120. These are estimates, and the source does not provide a total cost for Napier’s project.
Can the glass backsplash go behind a stove?
Hunker says tempered glass is more durable, especially around heat, and advises choosing glass appropriate for the location. The report does not provide a temperature rating for a specific product, so homeowners should check manufacturer guidance before installing a panel behind a stove.
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