I’m back!!! This furniture trilogy party continues today with the next in line – that second gem waiting. Not only does it have great bones, but also plenty of work needs done to bring it back to life. Are you ready for an upcycled antique wash stand project?
Okay, so the first chest of drawers got new life in this first post HERE. Now, I’m tackling the hot mess next to it.
Oh, the bones are fantastic, but lemme just say that I have my work cut out for me.
FIXIN’ AND MORE FIXIN’
First, I’m excited that the top of this one is in much better shape than the chest before.
However, the harp is broken, the drawers are broken, and so much more. It’s time to break out the 55-gallon drum of elbow grease!
Literally, only one of the drawers isn’t broken or already been prepared. To start, I remove the bottom of this large drawer and have to cut out the nails with my cutter. I love this thing!! It was crucial to helping me in my living room remodel.
Hear that sigh of relief? Finally, one drawer done and much more to go.
MORE REPAIRS
Literally I poured twelve straight hours in one day into this upcycled antique wash stand by sanding down the top, rebuilding the bottom of the side cabinet and repairing the harp and the drawers.
In addition, to all that, the cabinet was warped and needed work. Likewise, the front wood applique is broken. While I normally make a mold as shown in this post, this time I use my paper clay and the back end of my artist’s brush to match it.
FINISHING
Last, but not least (and a few more hours to go) I need to put the finishing touches on this wash stand. First, I apply three coats of a matte poly topcoat, letting cure in between.
After that, I pull out this blue from an antique side table makeover, this coral from my antique dresser and tilt-top table, and also this custom mix I just did from a vintage nightstand. My goal is a muted plum color.
It’s perfect for what I’m after.
In addition, after a good cleaning, I paint the hardware that was original along with a few from my stash a Pure Gold topped with a copper metallic later on.
PLUM PERFECT
Finally, this upcycled antique wash stand project is ready for the final reveal.
I’m so smitten! The color is just right, the details shine amidst the gray wax I used to draw out the details.
Oh, and did you se the peek-a-boo blue? I had to do something to make those misfit drawers match.
While this wash stand can be used for most anything, I had fun staging it as a coffee bar.
Actually, I’ve never had a sip of coffee in my life. But… I borrowed my daughter’s coffee machine to help me set this up.
Are you a coffee drinker? I may not be and only really have warm drinks in mid-winter or sick days, but I have more fun with it in my #trashure mug.
likewise, if you’d like to make this a part of your home story, you can find this and more in my online store.
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Now it’s your turn. Inspiring you is what I’m here for. Yes, this is a labor of love, but worth it is you want to make your house your home or restore a family piece to your own style. Leave some comment love below as well as pin and share to inspire others too.
Before you go, be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter to see part three of this furniture trilogy. Finally, PEEK HERE.
Until next time!
While you’re at it, check out these other projects like this upcycled antique wash stand:
Beautiful!!! Great job!!!! 😍
woot, woot! Thank you, Rebecca. I’ll need a vacay after the next one. 😀
It looks fantastic. I love your colour choices.
Thank you so much, Jo-Ann. It was a bit more work than I anticipated, but a work worth doing.
Lovely results, Larissa! Well worth all your efforts. Just want to share – this is a Gentleman’s Chest, not a wash stand. His hat went in the cubby on the right, a small mirror in a wooden stand would have had pride of placement on the top, and of course, his shirtwaists were in the drawers. Just perfect as a coffee stand today!
Yes!! That is what I kept researching because I knew the box was not of a wash stand and the height is very tall but rather it’s a gentleman’s chest (my dad had one). I couldn’t find similar anywhere online. However, the harp kept throwing me off. So… when I was looking it over when I got it, I found holes on the back of the harp for hardware. My guess is there used to be a mirror, and someone added a dowel at some point. Either way, I had fun with it.
I was prepared to hate the purple… but I don’t The plum is lovely against the wood you left. It is a fun piece now!
It is absolutely beautiful. The color is gorgeous. I read in the comments that it is not a Wash Stand but a Gentleman’s chest and you knew something was different about the piece,
Yes! I didn’t have confirmation for sure, but knew something was different. Wash stands are typically shorter and smaller overall. Either way, it was quite the job to do and glad it all came together.
That plum color is delicious. It looks wonderful with the wood top. The peek a boo blue is sweet 🙂
Your carpentry skills are amazing ! Thanks for sharing.
I was kinda nervous at first because the color wasn’t quite as deep as I wanted, but I like how it looks cured. Thank you, P. My family is a line of carpenters.
I was late to the game last time….actually didn’t arrive at all but I liked the little blue one and this one turned out so much better as well. The plumb is unique but fun! Good job my friend. Can’t wait to see #3.
Better late than never, they say! 😉 Thank you, Niki. It’s such a job to work on these but I feel blessed to be able.
Absolutely perfect! I can’t believe it is the same piece of furniture. All of your TLC paid off!
Yippee!! That is such a treat to hear, Susan. It was so much work, but I can relate to this piece and how poorly it was treated but just needed love.
Wish I had your talent for fixing things, Larissa! I love the drawer pulls and the color you chose. Brilliant!!
I’d love to show you how. woot! Thank you for the warm “hug”, Caye. Such a treat!
OHMYGOODNSSS, Larrisa, this gentlemen’s chest just may be my favorite piece — EVER. And you have done so many beautiful pieces!! I wasn’t impressed when I read “plum”…but the result is gorgeous!!
You just made my day, Marti! 😀 Thank you for that as it’s so gray here. Plum… right? It’s just the color I had stuck in my head, and it worked.