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.
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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 used my Square Brush to tackle the chair frame, and then the edge of the vanity top. This brush is easily one of my favorites because I’m one who doesn’t like to use tape, but prefer a steady hand. This brush makes it so easy!
For the base of the vanity, I used my Stubby Brush for the cabinet and Round Brush to tackle the legs.
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. It received two coats of Gator Hide for a low lustre durable finish.
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 add 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 shop. (SOLD)Sign up for my newsletter for an instant discount off your first purchase and receive my FREE furniture buying guide. Details below.
Do 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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46 Comments
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!
April 10, 2018 at 6:11 amEvery girl needs a little black dress. tee hee. Thank you, Christina! 😀
April 10, 2018 at 6:19 amThis is very classy. I love it Larissa!
April 10, 2018 at 7:50 amThank you, Grace! 😀
April 10, 2018 at 7:58 amI 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
April 10, 2018 at 8:02 amI am, Janette, because it was so fun to do. Thank you!
April 10, 2018 at 8:43 amLove the design on the top!
April 10, 2018 at 8:05 amThanks!
April 10, 2018 at 8:43 amReally love the scrollwork design on the top! And, you techniques for handling bad veneer are spot on again! Great job!
April 10, 2018 at 8:29 amI’m delighted to hear it, Carol. Thank you!
April 10, 2018 at 8:44 amAbsolutely Gorgeous! It was the not so ugly duckling but you turned it into the absolutely magnificent swan!
April 10, 2018 at 8:42 amYou are so sweet to say so, Amy. This was totally fun!
April 10, 2018 at 8:44 amThat’s a regal beauty Larissa! Love that top!! xo
April 10, 2018 at 8:43 amThanks so much, Nancy. I had to give a fun new look. 😀
April 10, 2018 at 8:45 amBeautiful 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!
April 10, 2018 at 9:22 amYeah, baby! haha… Thanks so much, Jen. It was fun to dress it up for an evening out. 😉
April 10, 2018 at 11:19 amAnother 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.
April 10, 2018 at 9:33 amMy absolute pleasure, Debra. Totally fun to do and share my quirky ways. We can’t wait to show you too!
April 10, 2018 at 11:19 amoh my oh my, I am in love. This is so beautiful and the top just makes it.
April 10, 2018 at 9:45 amaww…you’ve made me smile! Thank you so much, Jolinda.
April 10, 2018 at 11:20 amWow! 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
April 10, 2018 at 9:46 amI know, right?! haha…So glad you liked it! I did two coats of Gator Hide to seal it up.
April 10, 2018 at 11:21 amI love how you updated this piece without detracting from the style. It is beautiful.
April 10, 2018 at 10:47 amI’m delighted to hear it as I really tried to keep it to the feel I was getting for it. Thanks!
April 10, 2018 at 11:21 amVery pretty and classic!
April 10, 2018 at 11:27 amThank you, Sue! 😀
April 10, 2018 at 11:49 amWhat a beautiful save. Your vision has made a ugly duckling into a beautiful swan. Love the scroll work also!
April 10, 2018 at 12:06 pmYou always have the sweetest words for me, Bonnie. Thank you!!
April 10, 2018 at 12:19 pmLarissa!!! 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
April 10, 2018 at 12:13 pmWahoo!! So fun to hear, Christy! Thank you.
April 10, 2018 at 12:19 pmLove the lines of that vanity, Larissa, I see how you would take it on, even with all the challenges. The top is just divine.
April 10, 2018 at 12:53 pmThey draw you in, don’t they? So fun to share. Thanks!
April 10, 2018 at 9:38 pmGorgeous! Love! It!
April 10, 2018 at 2:49 pmThank you, Tracy. 😉
April 10, 2018 at 9:38 pmClassic and classy!! In love with it and your many talents!
April 10, 2018 at 3:14 pmYou just gave me a hug I needed. Thanks!
April 10, 2018 at 9:39 pmOh.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 !!
April 10, 2018 at 10:51 pmYou have no idea how much your words mean, Carolyn. Thank you!
April 11, 2018 at 5:41 amVery pretty…..I love it!
April 10, 2018 at 11:10 pmThank you, Terri.
April 11, 2018 at 5:41 amLarissa, As I suspected, I LOVE HER! She is elegant with a bit of whimsy, just perfect!!
April 11, 2018 at 10:52 amIt sure is fun to hear it, Kaycee. Thank you!
April 12, 2018 at 6:32 amIt’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!
April 11, 2018 at 1:36 pmNothing like having a good challenge to stir up your blood. haha. Thanks so much for the love, Marie.
April 12, 2018 at 6:33 amBeautiful!!! Those swirls on the top make this stunning!
April 14, 2018 at 9:06 amThanks so much, Becky!
April 17, 2018 at 6:22 am