Yippee!! It’s time for Trash to Treasure Tuesday where my blogger friends and I get together to share project to inspire you. You will see their projects in a minute, as is there’s nothing better than getting together with like-minded folks to share what you love. Most certainly one of my favorite projects are old gems like this. I’m sure you can see how it’s been worn down, so I plan to turn this into a black antique vanity with rustic, refined feel. Check it out…
I purchased this from a lady who bought it as a project piece. She had started with it and decided it wasn’t something she wanted to complete because she was expecting a new baby soon. I fell in love with the mirror and keyhole design of this 1920’s piece. It has such style even though the veneer top had been removed and the entire thing had a whole lotta wear.
TIME TO FIX
Nothing that a little DIY lovin’ couldn’t fix though. Time to get started! Much like my farmhouse desk that had a damaged top, I decided to run with the rustic feel of it. First, I filled the larger worm holes with a bit of wood filler, but left a few for character’s sake.
Once the wood filler dried, I lightly sanded it down and then prepped for the design I had in mind. Back a few months ago I shared on social media how stoked I was to find an overhead projector at the thrift store for $10. We have used it oodles of projects and this time it would help me with the top design.
If you look close you can see the scrollwork art I projected onto the top. I used my artist brush to paint in the design. This is the start of this black antique vanity makeover. So fun!
MAKING REPAIRS
Next, while the design was curing, I set about to repair the drawers. They were falling apart and needed glued and clamped. However, their faces were also damaged and needed repair. On the two lower side drawers there was veneer that was missing and awfully pulling away.
It popped off easily with my putty knife and used my utility knife to leave that unique diamond design. However, the small upper drawers had a thicker veneer that wasn’t in too bad a shape, except one had a missing chunk.
What to do? Well, I didn’t want to take that veneer off because it added dimension to the drawers, so just like the hope chest I just completed, I dug into my scrap veneer stash for a piece to make a patch.
TOOLS ARE KEY
Since the angle of the missing chunk was hard to figure out, I whipped out one of my favorite new tools – angularizer ruler. This this makes my job soooo much easier!
I just set the tool to the exact parameters and used it as a stencil to cut a new piece of veneer. BAM! I love it. I glued the new piece on and let cure, then sanded all the drawers down with my orbital sander.
Let me tell ya, I can find chairs like nothing when I don’t need one, but…when I need one I can’t find one for anything! It took me months to find a chair that would match the side and accent the design for this black antique vanity makeover.
This one didn’t have the turned legs I was after. However, it was from the same era and the arched back worked with the mirror design. I had to take it apart to glue it up, and then added new upholstery, cushion, and batting to the cushion.
PAINT TIME
Time for the rest of this vanity to get a little black dress. My color choice is a straight black. First, I tackle the chair frame, and then the edge of the vanity top. Only one coat of black was needed and then let it cure. Since I wanted an aged look, I distressed all surfaces. Then once done distressing, I added a topcoat of black wax to seal the paint and give it a low lustre finish.
THE REVEAL
Ready to see it all together? Let’s see this black antique vanity set with its rustic and refined new look. Woot!
This once unwanted vanity now has a new life with a bit of whimsy to the top, which is my favorite part, of course. hee hee.
Leaving it rustic adds to the charm and my painted details gave me a fun blank slate to add some flair. Do you love it too?
The chair has one of my favorite textiles, ticking fabric, in black. This classic farmhouse fabric adds to the overall rustic, yet refined feel I was after. I just love the lines of this chair.
The vanity came with the original knobs, but there weren’t anything to keep as they were a rusted metal with much decay. However, they will go to my #trashure stash for a funky project someday. I chose to use these beautiful ceramic knobs instead. Their design echos the scrollwork on top.
ALL DONE
Like all my vanities, I don’t have room for this one and if you love it too, you can find it available in my online store.
Additionally, pin and share this black antique vanity makeover to encourage others to see past the wear and embrace it. It’s fun to think outside the box. woot!
Up next, my youngest son and I take on this curbside table in a mama & son project. Any guesses? See what it looks like now over HERE.
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Also, more furniture projects like this black antique vanity:
Oh wow, Larissa, I am usually not a fan of black yet this turned out beautifully. Your artistic talents and vision have made this one beautiful makeover. Once again, I am inspired. Thank you!
Every girl needs a little black dress. tee hee. Thank you, Christina! 😀
This is very classy. I love it Larissa!
Thank you, Grace! 😀
I think you must be super pleased with the result of this one Larissa, wow, stunning, I would never have gone for that look but it’s so beautiful, once again you gave a new life to an old relic…x
I am, Janette, because it was so fun to do. Thank you!
Love the design on the top!
Thanks!
Really love the scrollwork design on the top! And, you techniques for handling bad veneer are spot on again! Great job!
I’m delighted to hear it, Carol. Thank you!
Absolutely Gorgeous! It was the not so ugly duckling but you turned it into the absolutely magnificent swan!
You are so sweet to say so, Amy. This was totally fun!
That’s a regal beauty Larissa! Love that top!! xo
Thanks so much, Nancy. I had to give a fun new look. 😀
Beautiful save, Larissa! It looks so chic in black now. We both went to the dark side this month, haha. 😉 The top looks beautiful too with the stain and scroll detail!
Yeah, baby! haha… Thanks so much, Jen. It was fun to dress it up for an evening out. 😉
Another great makeover! She’s a real beauty and the scrollwork on top is perfect to showcase her. Another great vision. Thanks for the tip on repairing veneer and you’ve once again taught me something new with the angularizer ruler. You’re such an inspiration! Can’t wait to see what you and son do with the curbside table makeover.
My absolute pleasure, Debra. Totally fun to do and share my quirky ways. We can’t wait to show you too!
oh my oh my, I am in love. This is so beautiful and the top just makes it.
aww…you’ve made me smile! Thank you so much, Jolinda.
Wow! When you said “rustic feel” for this piece I was curious how it would turn out since the vanity’s design seemed more elegant than rustic. It looks gorgeous! You had a vision and carried it out beautifully. I’m wondering how you sealed the top. Did you use the same wax finish on top that you did over the painted parts? Enquiring minds want to know. LOL
I know, right?! haha…So glad you liked it! I did two coats of Gator Hide to seal it up.
I love how you updated this piece without detracting from the style. It is beautiful.
I’m delighted to hear it as I really tried to keep it to the feel I was getting for it. Thanks!
Very pretty and classic!
Thank you, Sue! 😀
What a beautiful save. Your vision has made a ugly duckling into a beautiful swan. Love the scroll work also!
You always have the sweetest words for me, Bonnie. Thank you!!
Larissa!!! I absolutely love what you did with this vanity! I think it might be one of my favorite pieces of yours yet! The scrollwork is icing on the cake! XO
Wahoo!! So fun to hear, Christy! Thank you.
Love the lines of that vanity, Larissa, I see how you would take it on, even with all the challenges. The top is just divine.
They draw you in, don’t they? So fun to share. Thanks!
Gorgeous! Love! It!
Thank you, Tracy. 😉
Classic and classy!! In love with it and your many talents!
You just gave me a hug I needed. Thanks!
Oh.my.gosh Larissa, you have outdone yourself on this!! It is absolutely gorgeous and the top is to die for ! ! I enjoy your blog SO much, it’s my favorite !!
You have no idea how much your words mean, Carolyn. Thank you!
Very pretty…..I love it!
Thank you, Terri.
Larissa, As I suspected, I LOVE HER! She is elegant with a bit of whimsy, just perfect!!
It sure is fun to hear it, Kaycee. Thank you!
It’s beautiful, Larissa! I like how you used just one coat so the light wood is exposed and I love the detail on the top, so pretty. You always do such a beautiful job on these old vanities!
Nothing like having a good challenge to stir up your blood. haha. Thanks so much for the love, Marie.
Beautiful!!! Those swirls on the top make this stunning!
Thanks so much, Becky!