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BEFORE and AFTER: The Makeover of a Vintage Vanity

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This pretty vintage vanity has been sitting in my garage for over a year. Surprise, surprise. Most things I make over have an excruciating wait time in my garage (a.k.a. “triage”) before figure out what I’m going to do with it, where it’s going to go, and how in the world I’m going to find time to work on it.

But thanks to the Snow Gods that dumped 2 feet of snow on us last week, I’ve had off work for 5 straight days. (READ: ample time to create!). And this baby was ‘a callin’!

BEFORE

vintage vanity thrift diving

 

AFTER!

Vintage Vanity Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Scandinavian Pink

 

The vanity was really in good condition from the standpoint that it wasn’t falling apart or anything. It was missing a mirror inside, but–meh–who cares. And it didn’t need tons of surgery on it. But the top needed refinishing. It had some water rings and some chipping.

Vintage Vanity Makeover_BEFORE

I’m totally in love with stained tops and painted bodies. So I knew I wanted that look! Heck–I think I may be refinishing all my pieces this way from now one! It’s such a great combo. And it really preserves the beauty of the wood, since some people think you should never paint wood. This is a great compromise, though, don’t you think? 😉

I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Scandinavian Pink. LOVE that color! And my Sherwin William Rainwashed walls really goes well with this color!

Vintage Vanity Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Scandinavian Pink

How the Magic Happened on This Vintage Vanity

I’ve come to love stripping furniture! It’s very rewarding. Unearthing that pretty wood underneath, and then breathing life back into it with stain–ahhhhhh………But if you’ve never done it before, just know this: it’s messier and takes more time than just painting over a piece of furniture.

(Did I mention it’s messier….??)

However, the results are worth the extra effort. If you need more instruction, check out my blog post and video I did on How to Strip Furniture and Stain It.

In this pic, you can see how the Citri-Strip paint and varnish stripping gel I used is eating away the previous stain, exposing the natural wood underneath.

How to strip furniture

When it was ready to be scraped, I scraped all that “gunky” stuff with a putty knife. EEEWWWW!! (Be careful–use a plastic putty knife so you don’t gouge the wood. I used metal because it was all I had, but I was super careful).

how to strip furniture

Once I scraped all the gunk off, I gave it a good sanding. Even when stripping, you’ve got to sand it out to get to this pretty wood. Otherwise, it will still be tinted with the old stain.

how to strip furniture

I Made a Mistake!!

Crap. I got carried away while sanding and gouged down to the MEAT! The bare meat!!

Oh!!! How in the world was I going to fix that?! I was afraid I’d have to scrap the whole “stain” idea and just paint over it.

Sanding furniture before re-staining

Once I applied the stain (I used Minwax Espresso), I was hoping it would just blend in.

WRONG!!

It stuck out like a sore thumb!

how to cover up your DIY mistakes

how to cover up your DIY mistakes

So I Did What Any Creative DIY’er Would Do….

Yep. I broke out the stencils and painted a flower over the top of my mistake, then topped it off with some white highlights to give it some “depth.” Now it looks intentional!!!

vintage vanity Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Scandinavian Pink

 

Protecting the Top

I’ve never used this product before but wanted to try it out for protecting the top. I honestly HATE waxing furniture, so if there is something I can easily brush on and walk away from–I’m game.

Artisan Enhancements Clear Topcoat

I was nervous as heck when I painted it on with a paint brush and saw that it was–GASP!–white…and milky! Ummmm……is this going to work??

Adding a top coat to stained furniture

But it did! It dried beautifully! I wanted something with a bit more shine to it, but after seeing these “AFTER” pics, I think I love the matte look better. What do you prefer–matte or glossy finished on top of stained wood?

Vintage Vanity Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Scandinavian Pink

 Don’t Forget the Inside!

I’m one of those DIY’ers that can’t stand to see a piece of painted furniture with the drawers all ugly and the back looking like it belongs in a crack house. LOL. You don’t have to go crazy and paint every inch of the inside and back (or bottom) but at least make an effort to make the other parts look great, too. I know it adds extra time, but I think it’s worth it.

I painted the inside of this vintage vanity in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint,  Paris Grey. I just love this color combo! (If you remember, I painted this thrifted bucket gift basket for my mom in the same color combos).

Vintage Vanity Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Scandinavian Pink

 

Reuse and Recycle!

For this project, I left the hardware alone. I loved the brassy color, and I liked that it looks a little worn. I didn’t want it to be too pristine and “perfect.” By using the existing hardware, in its original condition, I saved myself time (and money!).

Vintage Vanity Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Scandinavian Pink

 

 So what do you think of my vintage vanity?! 🙂 Have you ever stripped and stained furniture? 

 

Want More??

I’ve got a thing for desks and vanities and stuff. Here are some other desks/vanities I have refinished. Enjoy!

 

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65 Comments

  1. This piece turned out so beautiful! I love the stained top and painted body. I would have never thought to do that. Gorgeous!

  2. The vanity really does go great with your walls. Excellent job Serena, I love it!!

    1. Hi Lauren!! I’m not sure if you emailed me or not, but yes, you may feature it! 🙂 Thank you!!!

  3. Once again you knocked it outta the park. You are always so creative! I love the stained top painted body look. I’m going to have to find a piece to do that on. You are my inspiration girl!

  4. Serena, I just had the pleasure of watching you on our local news and loved you! I am SO into turning “old into new” and this is just up my alley! Love your style of stained tops and painted bottoms, I am a “stripper” at heart. Like everyone else, finding the time to finish furniture is the hardest part, but you have given me some extra special incentive to get “yard sailing” and dumpster diving! I have had some fun finding free and trash items by the side of the road and bring them home. My husband keeps yelling at me because I just keep- keeping them, waiting for the day to refinish, can’t wait!

    1. Hi Leslie!! So glad that you reached out! So you love stripper, too, huh? It’s such a beautiful combo with the stained top and painted body. For the sake of time, though, it’s definite more time-consuming (something I don’t have a lot of with 3 young boys). I’ve just started trying to sell some pieces, and I don’t know how crazy people are about stained tops. But I love them!
      Oh, and what’s funny is that it’s always the husbands that complain about the pile of stuff waiting for “some day” makeovers. LOL. They just don’t understand, do they? 🙂
      Thanks for your comment, and I look forward to seeing you around here, and maybe more news segments! Anything in particular you’d love me to do on WBAL?

  5. I LOVE the colour and the way the vanity turned out. I too am rethinking the paint every mentality. I realized I really love wood too and especially a wood paint combo. Thanks for sharing a great piece

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