I’m taking a walk down memory lane today. Won’t you join me? I have always wanted to do a round-up of all the different vanity makeovers that I have worked on over the last three years (time flies when you’re having fun!). Now I can share them with you all in one place.
So let’s step back in time to see all the different sets that have come through my possession and into my shop to new owners.
My very first project EVER, was this little Art Deco waterfall vanity I found at Goodwill for $5. This was before they’ve started to jack up their prices ridiculously for damaged goods. tsk.
Not having really started furniture for sale yet, it sat for a few months before I could tackle it because I was already painting the exterior and interior of our home all by myself. But boy, what a job this little thing was! The veneer was in horrible shape and the entire piece needed sanded down and repaired. It had no mirror, but I found one through Etsy. It arrived busted and FedEx replaced it with a new one. Whew!
This was when I fell in love with my favorite seconds paint aqua color I have used again, and again.
The rest of these won’t be in chronological order, but pretty close, and I’ve tried to find all the various ones I’ve worked on. Crazy to see how my photography and staging have changed.
This next Art Deco beauty I named, My Painted Lady. What a glamorous piece that convinced me paint can do amazing things.
Scored this for $50 and learned so much in repair and detailing.
It seems I have a knack for coming around large gems like this and decided to go with a metallic version on my next one.
You can read the full makeover and tutorial on how to achieve this finish here.
This next piece was a custom order from a lady who ordered it for her daughter.
The veneer was in great shape, except for the center surface, but I sanded down and gave it an espresso makeover.
I was so pleased with their choice of upholstery – that chevron accentuated the uniqueness of this piece.
This next vanity was part of a 3-piece treasure hunt I called my Providential set. You can ready all about them here.
Bye-bye 80’s orange stain, and hello soft yellow with hand-painted detailing. So much better.
These next two were two very different custom orders. I find it fun to get to meet all sorts of personalities and it couldn’t be more true in these two examples from this post.
First, was this Art Deco that went out west to a lady who lived seaside. She wanted a light purple with jellyfish upholstery.
How fun is that?
The next was more traditional in its Queen Anne design with tri-fold mirror. If it’s not obvious to you, the stool that came with it was not original, but I was able to find a suitable match.
The best part was, the mother of the daughter this set was for, sent me her bedroom pillow and I used it to recover the chair seat.
How about some more Art Deco drama? This was custom order made by a lady residing in New Mexico. I was totally in love with her color scheme. RED (click to read more).
What a difference, right?
My next piece was found via Craigslist and I refer to it as my Ugly Duckling vanity.
My hubby said it was junk, but with some TLC and creativity, this is the after:
That one is my favorite of my vanity makeovers. So fun to see the night and day difference.
I am a sucker for the tri-fold mirror vanities and this one really struck a nerve with me.
These two pieces of this set were found separately, and were married in to a gorgeous piece. View this Antique Vanity Transformation here.
The fretwork and details of this next piece were gorgeous, but since some was missing and those plastic pulls had to go, it was time for paint.
You’ll be surprised that I scored this next piece along with a chest of drawers from Craigslist for free…yup. This is my Rustic Chic makeover that you can read more by clicking the link.
I think that set stole my heart and is one of my favorites. ♥
Can you believe this next vanity was in the trash?! Paired with a mirror given to me by a friend and then restored with a thrifted bench and makeover. This is my French Script dressing table.
For our themed makeovers each month, I was challenged to create an industrial look. This giant Art Deco beauty received a makeover giving it an industrial chic look.
Check out those chevron inlays…wow.
This beauty never made it to a blog post, but was sent to my shop and sold. It’s one of my favorite vanity makeovers. Fun and chic!
How about this pair? They may not match now, but they do after I get to work on them. hee hee.
The next two pieces I don’t have the before’s on (they’re buried in my archives, but each has a story. This first vanity, I found had been worn down over the years and was missing pieces that I repaired with clay using my tutorial.
This next vintage wire vanity I found at a garage sale and paired with a thrifted mirror. After a few coats of spray paint and new upholstery, this set made a little girl very happy.
I hope you had fun and were inspired as I took you through most of the vanities I’ve worked on over the last few years. Each has taught me so much and I’m so glad I decided to purchase that $5 vanity that started it all. I bet you can guess that I already have another custom I’m working on for a client, and I’m sure there will be more to come!
Pin and share the vanity makeovers to find this page again and so that others can see too. Thank you!
Other furniture like my vanity makeovers:
Such beauty in one post is too much! Each one has a unique character that you were able to bring out. And I’m sure they are each special to you, your other children if we can call them that!
Yes, Mary, each is so different in character and they are like my children (though I wouldn’t sell my kids). hee hee.
So much eye candy all in one post what a great way to start my week thanks!
So glad you enjoyed it, Kari! It was fun to see how I started and where I am now.
glad you’re not asking us to vote and the best, prettiest, most clever! they are ALL beautiful! nice to catch up with some of your older beauties!
I should have, Gwen! Thanks for stopping by and showing me some love. 🙂
Gen is right, would be hard to pick a favorite child!
hahaha…yes, they are all special in their own right. Thank you!
Wow girl, you have done a lot of vanity makeovers! Each and every one of them is gorgeous in its own right. You’re a gal whose talents can do a fabulous furniture makeover in any style!
It’s fun to work in different eras and get creative to my heart’s content. Isn’t it fun?!
Your white and blue French country just kills me.So stunning.I also love the real and white with lg.rnd.mirror. fabulous job on all.
Thanks so much, Cheryl. I truly appreciate it.
These are amazing! I would love to know how much $ you sell them for.
Thanks so much. You can always visit my shop to see what I’m up to. 🙂
You turn frogs to princes! Thank you. These are very inspiring, all beautiful remakes.
awww….thank you! I’m delighted to hear you think so.
These are all so beautiful! I have one of my own that I am looking to fix up, but I am missing the chair. Do you mind me asking where you found some of the chairs for yours that did not come with them?
Thanks! I just search thrift stores and garage sales for them. I even use Craiglist or local online marketplaces too.
Your vanity makeovers are incredibly beautiful. You are so talented!
Thank you, Diane. 🙂
Hi I love what you did to these vanities. I found the exact one that you did in silver, (it has the mirror and the bench too) on the side of the road and want to do it like the white and green one you did. It’s so gorgeous. I could really use some instructions as this is only the second piece of furniture I have refinished and the other was a simple side table. Thanks for the inspiration
Thank you, Paige. My strongest suggestion is to really focus on preparing the surface. Make any repairs, clean, and once that’s done it’s just a matter of the finish work.
I have a piece pretty much like the 2nd picture, except right now it’s painted black. (That’s probably the 4th or 5th color, and I’m being conservative when I say that). Anyway, do I need to strip it all the way down or just sand it enough so the new color can stick, or both? Also, where do you find your benches? I would love to have one or a small wire back chair.
Welllll…that depends on the paint job under there and what you’re looking to achieve. If you’re after a rustic look, then most likely leave it and lightly sand. If for a fine finish, I would make sure the previous painted coats are smooth.
Hi Larissa, I have just viewed your work! Wow you are A fantastic artist!!
Believe it or not the vanity that you painted red..that is my exact vanity my mother gave me when I was a little girl! Her parents bought it brand new for her! It was a whole set, double bed frame, chest of drawers and the vanity! I now only have the vanity and chest of drawers! My question is how would you paint it with the two colors of gray and cream? There is very little detailing on it! I Would like to paint for my granddaughter and give it to her! This will only be my 3rd piece I have ever done. Thanks for helping me.
You just made my day, Linda. Thanks! 😀 Those are such quality pieces, built to last. If you could send me a pic I could give better advice on how to incorporate those colors. email larissa at prodigalpieces dot com.
I love ? your work! It hits the heart ❤️ for me! My late mother had one just like the earliest projects! She had bed and night stands! I would give anything to have her set back! Unfortunately it was given to youngest niece! Whom has no value in antiques! So I would like to find pieces and put some TLC for me and have me my own set! So what you think ?
It sounds like it was a lovely set, Tina. Hopefully your niece will come to appreciate it one day. Finding yourself a new set would be fun!
Love this post! Thanks for all the inspiration! I have a vanity that DESPERATELY needs some love. I especially liked the white ones you did, they’re so classy! I think you’ve convinced me that’s the way to go. 🙂
Thanks so much for the smile, Kat. You can’t go wrong with white for sure.
You’ve inspired me to take my Art Deco vanity out of the garage. It needs work and we have a local guy who fixes up furniture…and the uses the money to pay people’s water bills! It’s a win-win. Thank you for inspiring me to have my childhood vanity revamped.
Wahoo!! That just made my day, Christine, in more ways than one. What a blessing he is! Once I’m out of debt I have plans to help others more too.
I am so excited I came across this! I’m about to inherit my great grandma’s dresser that looks very similar to your waterfall example at the very beginning. It definitely needs some TLC and now I have all kinds of inspiration! These are all beautiful!!
Christina, you just made my day. What a great treasure you’re receiving! I hope you cherish it to the fullest. Thank you for the smile! 😀
I have a small waterfall dresser that I’d like to redo for my daughter. Do you have videos of steps for best results/techniques? I would like it to last her for many years more but the lawyer finish is not her style anymore. Best paint? Do you sand and prime? Will be my first time painting over a finished veneer I don’t want to mess it up!
Hi Elle, I have oodles of tutorials here on my blog of not only waterfall pieces redone, but many with veneer. It really depends on the condition of your original piece and what your goals are. Here is a search for painting veneer.
I fell in love with your painted lady and had to have my own. I painted my childhood vanity and love love love it. I want to share my master piece with you because I have never painted anything before. I am trying to figure out how to send you the picture. You will love it too! Thank you for encouraging us to try new things!!
You’ve made my day, Lorraine! 😀 How wonderful to hear. I’ve sent you an email so I can see your pictures. I can’t wait!