When I found this “desk” (at least that’s what the owner called it, but admitted to it being a vanity since it had the mirror slots) on Craigslist and showed my spouse what he was picking up, he wasn’t too enthralled. When he first picked it up, he didn’t say anything. Later on he told me, “I thought it was junk.” Who can blame him? The previous owner said it had been in his family for over 25 years and that he had intended to refinish it, but until then, he used it to build his hobby models on. It’s actually an antique dressing table.
Ummm yeah…paint drips and drops all over, gouges, holes drilled all over it, yes, it would appear to be junk…at least to the average person’s eye.
My eye says, “Game ON!”
Grabbed my handy dandy sander and attacked that top like none other. This is one of those opportunities I mentioned HERE where I can get my kids involved in the prep work and this was my daughter’s first time sanding. I love it!
Wood putty was a friend to this dressing table in so many ways. In addition, since it needed patched, painting was the only way to go.
So, knowing how I wanted to finish this piece with having sanded most everything to bare bone, I applied an espresso stain to those places so that it could peek out after painting.
Are you ready for the reveal?
REVEAL
Drums please!
Ta Da!! Ugly Duckling no more.
I wanted to draw out the color of those pulls and accentuate them with a coordinating fabric on the chair (which I grabbed from my furniture stash, by the way). Looks so good, don’t you think?
Aren’t those brass batwing pulls just fabulous?! I love the patina, so no polishing for these aged beauties.
Now, you may be wondering when did the mirror come into the picture? Well, I recently bought an antique dresser to use in our upcoming bathroom remodel. I knew I wasn’t going to use it, and thought it went perfectly with the dressing table.
Aaah…now my loving hubby says, “I can’t believe that’s the same piece!” Tsk. He should know by now that I carry a magic wand in my pocket. hee hee.
I am happy to say that my ugly duckling was purchased fairly quickly and is in her new home. I love a happy ending. sigh… Before you go, be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter. Until next time!
While you’re at it, check out these other furniture makeovers like this dressing table
Wow! What a great piece… I like your little elf helper too… can’t get mine to help very often, you’re lucky!
It turned out great. Wonder what the former owner would think?
Wow! I love it! You are so talented! I love the colors and the addition of the mirror! Awesome!
Beautiful!
It is gorgeous! Wow, what a beautiful transformation, I just love the color of the drawers. And the mirror totally looks like it was always there. Love the chair and the fabric you used. Great job!!
I couldn’t believe it when I first saw the after. WHAT?! It turned out amazingly beautiful. I LOVE that you added the mirror, perfection! 😉
Great save!
Thank you!!
Drum roll??? I think not. You need a whole marching band for this lovely. The chair fabric is perfection. As always, well done!
You are too funny! Thank you for the love, Kelli.
This transformation of this piece truly shows your talent. What color and type of finish did you use for the whitish color?
Thank you, Michael. It is a color called antique white with a wax finish.