Hello, my DIY lovin’ friends! It’s the second Tuesday of the month which means it’s Trash to Treasure Tuesday. {{fist pump}} That means I’m joining my four blogger friends with brand new inspiration for you. You’ll see their posts in a bit. However, take a peek at this hand-me-down gal. She’s having a rough day, but she’s still standing! I feel like having creative fun with this one. How about a repurposed dressing table project? YES!!
The backstory on this antique Art Deco dressing table is simple. She’s sat waiting for the right home for many months at a local ministry thrift store. No one wants her and it’s time I finally caved to the pull of giving her new life. Now, do you know the era and style of this piece? Its official name is Art Deco since it’s from the 30’s-40’s. Also, it’s bears the name “waterfall” for the top front edge curve design.
While I’m not new to the Art Deco era, or making over dressing tables, or waterfall furniture (I’ve redone oodles!), this will be the first time I’ve had a repurposed dressing table makeover.
BRING IT ON
As you can imagine, I’m eager to have at this and that means it’s demo time. First, I need to take apart the dressing table leaving the two sides to stand alone. My cat’s paw pry-bar is my favorite must-have tool for all DIY projects around here.
Since these furniture pieces are built to last, it’s doesn’t come apart easily, but it’s all just a matter of steps to do it correctly.
If you look close, you can see I not only removed the middle section, but also the support brace that held it all together. You can see the notch left on the back edge. (oh, and I plan to make use of the rest of it soon too. Stay tuned!)
That space is my ticket to making these two pieces united. I could, however, turn them into nightstands as I did HERE (see video below as well.
Because I’m already in the groove to create something fun, I decide to unite the two sides into one using that notched space in the back. Then, I cut the original board to length and use my pocket hole jig to make joints to assemble.
Next, I lay the set down and use more scrap from my demo to attach on the inside and bottom making sure they’re fully united. Additionally, I use a scrap piece from a past Art Deco waterfall makeover to blend in the blank spot in the top back.
The final step in prep is sanding it all down. The original finish is flaking (obviously) so that came off without much elbow grease. Last, I use my BIN primer by Zinsser to seal it all in.
STEP IT UP
Here comes the super fun part. woot! I always feel artistic license when I get to rebuild something into new. So, why not totally let creative juices flow, right? Well, much like my BEEP (my Volkswagen Bus Chest many have copied), or my Brownie Camera Chest, or Denim Chest…it’s time to amp it up.
First, I create a graphic for my overhead projector and then trace it on to my repurposed dressing table chest. Then, I take hours – and I mean HOURS – to paint it all in. While it may seem like work, I get lost in the time praying for those I love, mulling over ideas, etc.
At long last, I’m sharing my work with you. eep!
Can you tell I had a teenie weenie bit of fun? hee hee. So, maybe I went over the top, but can you blame me? Even the drawers and sides are decked out.
I know many folks love to use stencils and transfers (even me from time to time), but I’m old school and love to create my own designs. In the past, many have copied my designs and it’s frustrating. However, I continue to be me…the only way to be.
SMILES
Are you smiling? I sure am! Truly, my goal is to always inspire you. Creating is a way to let ourselves peek out now and then. Additionally, I get to share my heart and let myself let go and be. What do you do to live and let go?
If you’d like to make this sweet chest a part of your home story, you can find it and more available in my online shop.
While you’re at it, spread the smiles to others too. Pin and share, but also leave me some comment love below.
Then, come see what became of the rest OVER HERE. Additionally, make sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter to see what my youngest son does with this…umm…cutie? Take a peek HERE. WAIT! It’s time to see what my friends have created for Trash to Treasure Tuesday.
Also, more furniture makeovers like this repurposed dressing table:
I must confess that my heart was in my mouth when you took this’ golden oldie’ apart, but it looks beautiful, I will always remember the Volkswagon, it was truely amazing, well done, this is gorgeous Larissa.
Right? I debated and debated, but the mirror missing and the opportunity pressed me more. Thanks so much for the love on my work, Janette.
Oh my!!! That is just about the cutest thing EVER!!! If this is in your online shop, it won’t be for long. You are such an amazing talent!!?
It made my heart happy to give it a fun new life. Thank you for always making me smile, Rebecca. Yes, it’s in my shop and I can’t wait to see where it becomes a part of a new story. I do intend to make use of the rest of the dressing table soon too!
I have this exact vanity which belonged to my grandma and still has the round mirror attached. I’m planning on re-doing it for my granddaughter but just can’t decide on the finish. Yours is beautiful and so original!
That’s such a treat! The mirrors alone are the value most often anymore unless they’re kept up. Thanks for the love, Carol.
This turned out beautiful and fun! I get lost in my refinishing as well, but no way am I as creative as this! You are so inspiring!
It’s definitely like therapy for sure. Great minds think alike! 😀 Thank you, Geri.
Larissa this is beautiful. It reminds me of your famous Beep Beep Van bus from long ago!
It sure brought back the memories for me too. Thank you for the sweet encouragement, Mary. These take such time, but are worth it.
I have no words for the beauty you bring out of every piece you touch. Thank you for the gift of you that we get to see in you talent. Bless you Larissa
I wish I could hug you, Jo! {{hugs}} Your words mean so much. Hearing from my readers really is why I do what I do. Thank you!!
Oh, I love it! Here in our family we are Chevy people, I wish I had your painting talent and I would do the old dresser sitting in my storage room!
Awesome!! American made for sure. I love doing works like this, but they’re so time consuming. Fun though too!
Larissa, my creative and talented friend – this put a smile on my face from ear to ear !!!- SO DARN ADORABLE! XOXO
aww…you’re so sweet, Denise! 😀 That totally makes my day. Thank you!!
I could not imagine how you would make this look good when you showed how you were attaching them. I really thought, serious mistake! I am.floored by the finished result! It is so cute! Great work, super creative! 🙂
haha! Right?! I didn’t know what I was going to do with it at first. Then, the idea hit and I ran with it. woot! Thank you bunches. 😉
So amazing. You are so talented. I, too, thought why would you take this apart? Well, now I know. It’s so creative and useful and what a great time to ponder while creating something beautiful.
I totally was there too, but there wasn’t much to do with it elsewise. Thanks so much for the love, Kathy.
Totally on board with taking it apart, but agree with Amanda -it looked odd when you put them together. My initial reaction I can’t post because it’s well Holly heck that’s amazing!!! Simply blown away Larissa. So stinking cute. I don’t post original creations anymore. I don’t want other houses to be a copy cat of mine, and people were ripping off my designs to use in their house. I don’t mind sharing most things, but not everything. I also adore what you did with BEEP!
Yes! I had to let the look of them gel in my brain for half a day before I could think of anything I liked with my heart. As for sharing my creations, at least I have legal protection to an extent, but it’s why I debated on becoming a blogger in the first place. So many box stores rip off bloggers and it’s wrong in so many ways.
BEEP! BEEP! THAT IS SO ADORABLE. I LOVE IT. GREAT JOB!!
You’re so fun! Thank you for the giggle, Robin.
This turned out SO stinkin cute, Larissa!! And yes, I was smiling ha ha!! XOXO
Yeehaw! I’m so glad you like it, Christy. Thank you!
Oh my goodness!! I didn’t see that comin’ for sure! And somehow I missed the VW Bus; that is totally awesome too.!! Your creativity is amazing, especially considering all that you have going on in life in addition to this. 🙂 So many of us get “stuck” in doing things the same way when pressed for time, but you keep knocking it out of the park. So cute, Larissa! And very well done. It will be a piece cherished and passed on for a long long time 🙂
No worries! I did that about 8 years ago (time flies!). Thanks so much, Mary.
Adorable, creative, and spectacular! How fortunate your readers are to be invited into your lovely and creative home (and mind)!
What a sweet sentiment. Thank you for that, Lisa.
Hi Larissa! Wow, I didn’t see that coming. You did an amazing job. Your artistry is perfect. I love it!!
I had no idea when I started where I would end, but I wanted to have fun with it. Thanks, Cheryl!
Just lovin’ it! Just too cute!
It’s so fun for me. I’m stoked you like it, Caye. Thanks!
Your reimagined creation turned out adorable. There are those of us who don’t possess the necessary tools & wood to bring the pieces together. In my case I’d probably take them apart and keep them as bedside tables. Are these the appropriate height for that type of use?
Thank you, Robin. I only used my hammer, screwdriver, and that pry bar (and a large flathead screwdriver works for that). Yes, you can see in the photo beside my bed that they work just fine for that. Also, I shared the video I made of a desk used for the same purpose. They’re really useful!
Shut Up!!! I thought this was going to be another desk to nightstand post – no shame in that since I’ve done the same. But holy cow what a beautiful, whimsical surprise! Chef’s kiss to you 🙂
You rock, Jennie! haha! I don’t like doubling up on project ideas, so my goal here was to do what I could then let inspiration hit. It took me about a day, but I’m glad I ran with it. Thanks!
If I am correct, the style of that piece is called Waterfall. My bedroom set is the same. The name comes from the rounded front edges simulating a Waterfall. You’ve done a good job with it. VW buses are my faves, especially the ones with the 26 (?) Windows. Love it!
Yes, I mentioned waterfall a couple of times. That style was manufactured near me, so I can always seem to find them here and there. Thanks so much! 😀
Oh, my goodness and then some! I haven’ read one of your posts for a while, Larissa, and I must say I was bowled over when you revealed the complete makeover. You are so darn creative! Great job and I will be checking in more often now!
Thank you, Naomi.
Super cute Larissa!
Thank you, Jen.
Wowzers!! That is the cutest thing ever. Love it so much, Larissa! xo
It’s such fun to hear from you. Thank you!!
I did not know where you were going with this, but the end result is just fabulous! Totally love, love, love it! So creative and original and you can’t beat the quote you use from a classic old song. Thanks for sharing!
John Denver’s words have been in my heart since a child as I lived in the middle of a state park and have been “stuck” in the city. I miss country living with all my heart. Thank you for the kind words, Anita.
Love Love it. So creative!
You’ve made my day, Frances. Thank you!
My first thought was why take it apart? It could have been fixed up the way it was! But when I saw the end result…I’m in love! It’s beautiful and so unique. You are so talented!
I get it. 🙂 These have slots in the top were a quarter inch mirror rests that makes it hard to deal with, and most don’t want the uneven top making it hard to use (hence the reason the thrift store gave it to me at no cost – no one wanted it for months). I’m so glad you like it!
Oh my word Larissa! This is so much fun. So pretty, and so amazing!!
You’re such a fun gal, Kim. Thanks so much for the smile! 😀