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Thursday, November 3, 2011

Antique Vanity Redo

I have shown you my vanity before.  It came to be mine when my ex spotted it for sale for $50 in someone's yard and bought it for me about 15 years ago.  I've always loved its trifold mirror, graceful lines and curvy legs.  Not so much the dull finish and chipped veneer, but it's something I use every day and like many things, after a while I stopped noticing.


Around mid-September I decided it was time for a makeover.  I didn't have any helpers around so I did the whole makeover right here in the corner of my bedroom.  I stripped the finish off the two cabinet tops using Minwax furniture refinisher and steel wool (wearing heavy rubber gloves, always!) and cleaned off the rest of the cabinet with TSP.  Then I used a wood reconditioner on the cabinet tops, restained in Antique Walnut, and did 5 coats of poly, rubbing with steel wool in between coats.  Shiny!  The body I painted with Martha Stewart paint, which was very nice to work with.  After a nice pretty paint job, I smacked it around a little bit with my palm sander, to give it a little character.  I did nothing to the hardware, I kind of like it the way it is.


I really wish I could have moved it into better light, but moving all the furniture for a photo shoot was not a do-able scenario on my own.  And I have to tell you, photographing a trifold mirror without getting yourself or at least your tripod legs in the shot while you are in a small room is not all that easy!

Below I am showcasing some of my antique treasures while showing you the edge detail on the center console.  The gold perfume vial in the purse opening belonged to my Grandma, everything else was a "junking" find.  I wear those beads all the time.


A little close-up on the details:


This stuff will stay on display, but I will add more "stuff" because I'm cluttery like that.  I just wanted you to be able to actually see the tops in the photos.  :)


This little corner is considerably brighter now, I'm loving my little vanity in white.  I forgot to photo the insides but I painted the drawers in Martha Stewart "Rainwater", a pretty blue-green.  I may do a lighter wash of that color on my walls.

Thanks for coming by.  I'm linkng up with some parties:





16 comments:

Little Penpen said...

Tracy, you did a beautiful job on the vanity. The stained top is incredible!!! so professional! My great grandmother had a vanity and mirror similar to that in her bedroom. She had to leave her home because of her health the last few years of her life, but her house stayed set up, so she could visit at times. I remember going into her bedroom when she was no longer living there and sitting at that vanity and dreaming that it was mine!! What a sweet piece for your bedroom!

Honey at 2805 said...

Your vanity is adorable. Great job and the dark top really makes it special.

Thank you for linking your terrific project to Potpourri Friday!

WhyCuzICan said...

She looks lovely, and like she was really treasured to start with. Now she's just darling! Pat yourself on your back- you certainly deserve it :)

Visiting from My Romantic Home's- Show and Tell Friday Linky Party,
Smiles and thanks for sharing,
~Suzanne in NW Illinois

Perfect Imperfections by Jeanne said...

I love it! The dark shiny tops are amazing! The white with distressing to highlight the details is perfect. I know you must feel like a princess sitting at that vanity everyday!

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

I love this makeover. You brought out all the nice details. I've been scrolling a bit. I just became a follower. Thanks for visiting me.

Nelda said...

It looks wonderful. Great job!

Jacalyn @ rmebathproducts.com said...

Oh that is gorgeous! I have a similar piece and I have been mulling over the idea of re-doing it... what to do.... ha! I am a new follower and I look forward to visiting again.

Hugs,
Jacalyn

Anonymous said...

HI Tracy! Your vanity turned out so beautifully! You're so good at this. I love that you left the little tops wooden as it gives it some nice contrast! Pretty piece and you should be so proud of yourself! Now go out and buy you an extra thick chocolate milkshake! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Sharyn said...

This is gorgeous. All your hard work paid off in such a lovely piece. I have an old dresser that I painted white many years ago but after seeing yours I think the wood finish is a must have makeover!

vintageandart said...

Isn't she a beaut....lm really liking what you've done.

Mel said...

I am instantly transported back to my sisters room, where she had this exact vanity. Of course her's was painted an awful blue.

Beautiful Tracy! Fit for a princess.
I hope you will share this at Beautiful Junk Saturday!

Steph said...

It looks so pretty! Can't believe you did it all by yourself, though... take it easy!

A Few Pennies said...

Fabulous makeover!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

This is so charming~what a beautiful makeover! Thanks so much for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday !

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

love love love it!!

Unknown said...

You are painting up a storm! I'm following along now.

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