Friday, May 7, 2010

Vanity Makeover

Here is a project I did a while back and never got around to really showing it off properly. I wish I had taken some before pictures, but sometimes I dive into these projects so quickly that I forget. Anyway, this a 1930s vintage vanity and seat that I picked up for $30 at a little second hand store. The finish on it was in pretty bad shape when I took it home.

I stuck it in our living room for a couple weeks, so I could look at it off and on. I do this alot with different projects, in hopes of getting some inspiration while I am relaxing on the couch.

This vanity is what is called a "3/4" size and it is perfect for a smaller girls room or guest room. It is only about 36" across.

I decided that since it would probably end up in a girls room, not to refinish it. So I did a faux painted finish on it instead and distressed it so that every bump and bruise a little girl might give it, won't show.

I started with a base coat of powder blue.

Then I took a very dry brush with a little white and "dusted it" into wear areas, like edges and drawer fronts.

I then took a sanding block with 220grit and randomly sanded all of the naturally wearing surfaces.

I applied a white glaze to complete the finish.

Next came the drawers. I cut wooden inserts for all the drawers and upholstered them with white satin.

All the drawers are padded and inside the padding is dried french lavender. The aroma is pretty wonderful when opening the drawers.

Next came the seat. I cut up an old rabbit fur coat and repurposed it for the seat.


This was a pretty fun project. It was a lot different from the traditional formal finsihes that I usually apply. If you have questions, please post them in the comment section. I would love to hear from you!





Please visit my Link Party Directory to see all the great parties I am linking up with this week!

43 comments:

Mass Hole Mommy said...

Hey there! Happy Friday...I'm your newest follower!

Anonymous said...

Great job!! I love how it turned out....Kathy

Get Nestled In said...

Wow! It looks great! I can't wait to get my hands on a great find like that.

Dayna said...

This is an incredible project! What attention to detail. My personal favorite is the lavender. Nice touch. It looks great. Some little girl is going to be just tickled!

Donna said...

Oooh, la, la! I just love your vanity redo! The color is gorgeous!

Kristi Flanagan said...

Beautiful!

Thanks for planting another creative seed at Plant a Punkin Seed Party!

Kristi
Punkin Seed Productions

The Sugar Mountain said...

Beautiful work!! I would love to refinish a couple of pieces in a color like that.

Holly Lefevre said...

Love this...I have a vanity waiting for it's makeover...looks very similar.

Love the name of your blog too...I love tools - all kinds of them!

Following you from the Trendy Treehouse.

Holly
www.504main.com

FLOWERSHOPGURL said...

Hello Rory, What a beautiful vanity, I just love the way you painted and refinished it, the seat is so sweet. Thank you for sharing.
Hugz,
Kim

Unknown said...

I can smell the lavender now.

What a lovely piece!

:) Laura

Michelle said...

Beautiful! I really enjoy when someone is able to taking something neglected and turn it into something useful and attractive too.

FrouFrouBritches said...

Loooove the color. It's gorgeous! You did a great job!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

This turned out just charming!

Catherine said...

A beautiful job and a great idea to put lavender in the draw liners. Perfect for a little girls room.

Carla said...

What loveliness! The color is gorgeous and it's adorable!

Jamielyn said...

This is super cute! I love it! I'd love for you to link up at sundae scoop. http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/05/sundae-scoop-favs-link-party-and.html

Funky Junk Interiors said...

What a unique piece! The lines are amazing and make you look twice. And how fun to add the colour you did.

Thanks for linking this up to SNS!
FJ Donna

Vicki @ DottyJane said...

Very nice! Any little girl would love this:)

Unknown said...

This is so very very cute! My daughter would love a vanity like this!

Thanks for linking up!

Kaysi said...

That vanity is beautiful!

Jess said...

This is so pretty! Thanks for posting it on Favorite Things Friday!

Lana Kim White Austin said...

Oh, I love it! Great job,
L

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Beautiful painting technique. It turned out gorgeous. What a great find! Thanks again for joining the Sunday Showcase! ~ Stephanie Lynn

Amanda said...

Looks great!

Unknown said...

SO pretty! I love that you upholstered in the DRAWERS!!!!!!!! Is this vanity for sale in a shop? (I am dreaming of selling my stuff!)
~Bridgette

Ñaupa said...

que interesante tu blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! me encantó!!!!!!!!! Felicitaciones y cariños desde Argentina! Gabriela

Lara Harris said...

Love the color!

Leslie said...

That turned out adorable! Thanks for linking it to Hoo's got talent!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for linking your projects to Woo Hoo! Wednesday. As a courtesy, please link back to me on your posts or sidebar.

Trista said...

absolutely Beautiful!!! I am following you over from Trendy Treehouse's Creative share!
Hope you visit me at novicemommie.blogspot.com

Recaptured Charm said...

This looks fabulous! I too have done a few ladies vanities for clients. They seem to have made a huge comeback. They're so pretty and feminine!
Come by www.recapturedcharm.com for a giveaway I have going on. A s/s gem necklace is up for grabs! Would love to see you there.
Lisa

Unknown said...

That is so cute! I love the mirror that goes with it

Miss Mustard Seed said...

What a sweet vanity! I'm loving the blue.

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

What a beautiful piece & I love the blue you chose! Thanks for partying with us at the POPP.

Bonnie @ House of Grace said...

You did an awesome job! I absolutely love your work. I am your newest follower. I can't wait to see your other posts.
Bonnie

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

That color is so beautiful!!!!!!!! I want it!

Lori said...

This is so pretty.

Thanks for joining Get Your Craft on Thursday at Life As Lori... Please join me next week for another great party!

~L~ said...

Now that is cute!
Thanks for linking up. Hope to see your fabulous DIY again at Make My style Mondays.

~L~

Helena said...

Man, your daughters must love this! It's so perfect.

Thanks for linking this up to A Little Creative Therapy with Life in the Pitts.

Little Lovables said...

so pretty, I love the color

Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden said...

Pretty! Smart of you to give it some "premade" bumps and bruises. Kids are murder on furniture and it's great that you made a piece that's beautiful too!

Thanks for sharing at My Backyard Eden!

Marie said...

Hello sweet Rory - I'm a new follower of your fabulous blog via Met Monday (catching up from last week!). I love that vanity! And the candlestick holders are so neat!

I'd love for you to come by for a visit - having a giveaway!
http://emmacallsmemama.com/2010/05/bff-giveaway/

Blessings,
Marie

Gracefully Vintage said...

Rory-how clever the rabbit fur coat- i use old jackets-blankets or dresses and cut up to use for other things too- but never thought of using fur coat- Or lining drawers- i need to get on that- Looks amzing-and great find-
Love it-- Im loving your blog-
just love it
Karryann
are you sure you dont have any ideas for my icky cieling tiles-