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Black Antique Vanity ~ Rustic & Refined

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…

Antique Vanity Before Makeover by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

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.

Damaged Antique Vanity Top | prodigalpieces.com

Antique Vanity Drawer with Missing Veneer | prodigalpieces.com

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.

Wood Filler for Damaged Vanity Top | prodigalpieces.com

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.

Projecting Artwork onto Antique Vanity Top with Overhead Projector by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

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.

Peeling Veneer on Antique Vanity Drawer | prodigalpieces.com

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.

Damaged Antique Vanity Drawer Veneer | prodigalpieces.com

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!

Angle Finder Tool used by Prodigal Pieces for Furniture Repair | prodigalpieces.com

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.

Antique Chair to Pair with Vanity | prodigalpieces.com

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.

Black Wax for Topcoat of Dixie Belle Caviar on Black Antique Vanity by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

THE REVEAL

Ready to see it all together? Let’s see this black antique vanity set with its rustic and refined new look. Woot!

Rustic Chic Farmhouse Antique Vanity Set in Black with Ticking Stripe Upholstery by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Farmhouse Style Black Antique Dressing Table with Coordinating Chair by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

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.

Hand Painted Antique Vanity Detail with Scrollwork Design by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

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?

Antique Vanity Top with Hand-painted Scrollwork Design by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

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.

Black Farmhouse Ticking Fabric as Upholstery on Antique Vanity Chair by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

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.

Porcelain Painted Knobs with Black Scrollwork by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Hand-Painted Black Antique Vanity with Farmhouse Ticking Upholstered Chair by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

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.

Shop Prodigal Pieces | shop.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Black Rustic Chic Farmhouse Dressing Table with Ticking Upholstered Chair by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

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!

This worn and raw vanity needed a new lease on life. Larissa of Prodigal Pieces ran with the feel of it and turned it into a gorgeous black antique vanity. See the details at prodigalpieces.com

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.

Curbside Table Before | Falling Apart | Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!

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Trash to Treasure Tuedays - Thrifted Makeover Fun | Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Trash to Treasure April 2018 | prodigalpieces.com

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Also, more furniture projects like this black antique vanity:

Tired Bentwood Rocker Becomes Black Beauty by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.comOutdated dresser becomes 2 new pieces by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Comments

  1. Christina in SW FL says

    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!

    • Larissa says

      Every girl needs a little black dress. tee hee. Thank you, Christina! 😀

  2. Grace says

    This is very classy. I love it Larissa!

  3. Janette Deans says

    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

  4. Carol S says

    Really love the scrollwork design on the top! And, you techniques for handling bad veneer are spot on again! Great job!

  5. Amy says

    Absolutely Gorgeous! It was the not so ugly duckling but you turned it into the absolutely magnificent swan!

    • Larissa says

      Thanks so much, Nancy. I had to give a fun new look. 😀

  6. Jen @ Girl in the Garage says

    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!

    • Larissa says

      Yeah, baby! haha… Thanks so much, Jen. It was fun to dress it up for an evening out. 😉

  7. Debra Wise says

    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.

    • Larissa says

      My absolute pleasure, Debra. Totally fun to do and share my quirky ways. We can’t wait to show you too!

  8. Jolinda says

    oh my oh my, I am in love. This is so beautiful and the top just makes it.

    • Larissa says

      aww…you’ve made me smile! Thank you so much, Jolinda.

  9. Kenda says

    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

  10. Kimberly says

    I love how you updated this piece without detracting from the style. It is beautiful.

    • Larissa says

      I’m delighted to hear it as I really tried to keep it to the feel I was getting for it. Thanks!

  11. Sue Pagels says

    Very pretty and classic!

  12. Bonnie says

    What a beautiful save. Your vision has made a ugly duckling into a beautiful swan. Love the scroll work also!

    • Larissa says

      You always have the sweetest words for me, Bonnie. Thank you!!

  13. Christy says

    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

  14. Marcie Lovett says

    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.

    • Larissa says

      They draw you in, don’t they? So fun to share. Thanks!

  15. Fran Legler says

    Classic and classy!! In love with it and your many talents!

  16. Carolyn G says

    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 !!

    • Larissa says

      You have no idea how much your words mean, Carolyn. Thank you!

  17. Terri Hughes says

    Very pretty…..I love it!

  18. Kaycee says

    Larissa, As I suspected, I LOVE HER! She is elegant with a bit of whimsy, just perfect!!

  19. Marie says

    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!

    • Larissa says

      Nothing like having a good challenge to stir up your blood. haha. Thanks so much for the love, Marie.

  20. Becky says

    Beautiful!!! Those swirls on the top make this stunning!

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Client Love

I love it! Larissa is amazing. She listened to what I wanted and then she took care of the rest! This is my second piece I've bought from her and I'm in love! I highly recommend her.

~ Laurel

Prodigal Pieces
2020-03-21T21:34:13-04:00

~ Laurel

I love it! Larissa is amazing. She listened to what I wanted and then she took care of the rest! This is my second piece I've bought from her and I'm in love! I highly recommend her.

I love this cart, it's exquisite. The item was received in extremely secure packaging, no damage to the item. The delivery person was very professional and courteous. Larissa of Prodigal Pieces is so very amazing. A rating of 10 is deserved. Thank you, Larissa.

~ Stephanie

Prodigal Pieces
2020-03-21T21:39:34-04:00

~ Stephanie

I love this cart, it's exquisite. The item was received in extremely secure packaging, no damage to the item. The delivery person was very professional and courteous. Larissa of Prodigal Pieces is so very amazing. A rating of 10 is deserved. Thank you, Larissa.

I should have left this review MONTHS ago! I absolute love this lunch bag. I honestly carry this 5 days a week. It is the perfect size! Not only can you put your lunch in it, it can also hold your book. I enjoy reading at lunch, so I have all I need in one cute bag. Thank you so much Larissa!

~ Mikki

Prodigal Pieces
2020-03-21T21:43:16-04:00

~ Mikki

I should have left this review MONTHS ago! I absolute love this lunch bag. I honestly carry this 5 days a week. It is the perfect size! Not only can you put your lunch in it, it can also hold your book. I enjoy reading at lunch, so I have all I need in one cute bag. Thank you so much Larissa!

Awww…I love this sweet Cat with an attitude!! SO SO adorable! Well worth the money, and he will become a priceless treasure in my home! Thanks Larissa for always making your ideas turn into true treasures!

~ Sharon

Prodigal Pieces
2020-03-21T21:45:37-04:00

~ Sharon

Awww…I love this sweet Cat with an attitude!! SO SO adorable! Well worth the money, and he will become a priceless treasure in my home! Thanks Larissa for always making your ideas turn into true treasures!

Perfect purchase from start to finish! Absolutely adorable piece so creatively thought out. Packed with the greatest of care with lightening fast delivery. Very customer-oriented and friendly crafter. Could not ask for more! Thank you!

~ Deanna

Prodigal Pieces
2020-03-21T21:52:00-04:00

~ Deanna

Perfect purchase from start to finish! Absolutely adorable piece so creatively thought out. Packed with the greatest of care with lightening fast delivery. Very customer-oriented and friendly crafter. Could not ask for more! Thank you!
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