I recently revived an old vanity dresser with mirror for a client. I’m not certain on it’s age but I’m guessing the time period to be between 1930s – 1940s. It started out life with a stained wood finish and at some point got an updated yellow one.
Somewhere along the way she lost her mirror. Her new yellow paint was applied over loose veneer and water had made it’s way underneath that veneer. Water, paired with a latex finish is a virtual petri dish for growing mold….and growing mold she was. Poor girl!
Originally, before I realized the extent of her damage, I thought I’d just remove the paint and apply a nice, fresh coat of paint. I quickly realized upon removing the paint there would be more to it than that. The loose veneer, instead of being removed, had been caulked or primed into place along the base of the vanity leaving it bubbling underneath and allowing moisture to accumulate between the veneer and the wood underneath. This called for the emergency removal of approximately nine hundred and sixty seven pieces of veneer. Have I ever told ya’ll how much I hate removing veneer??
But it was necessary to save her life so that’s what I did!
But then, when all the hard work was done, there she was. A nice clean, blank canvas. And even though I still have a veneer removing blister, it was totally worth it!
This time she got a fresh white finish, which I think suits her much more, with little pops of very berry pink when her drawers are opened.
New shabby chic pulls to complete the look and give her a very dainty appearance which makes her perfect for a little girl’s room. Because that’s exactly where she’s going!
Of course she needs to be fun, too and I think her little pink drawer sides achieve just that.
It was finally time for a new mirror. I opted to have the mirror placed INSIDE the frame as opposed to it’s original fit which called for it to be placed outside the frame and rest on the upper portion of the vanity. I don’t know, I just like this better.
I left the original mirror and little glass shelf that came with the vanity table itself. I just cleaned it up really well with my handy dandy Fish Foam (LOVE that stuff) and it was almost as good as new. Not too new, mind you! We like those little dents and scratches here and there. After all this tells her story and we wouldn’t want to erase that.
She has gorgeous lines. She’s fresh and new and is living the good life with a little girl who loves her. Doesn’t get better than that!
Oh man that looks like it was A LOT of work, but it looks so fantastic. I love those old vanities – and the mirror on yours is awesome!
Thank you Kelly! I love these vanities, too. 😉
I just bought a vanity exactly like this except it is painted a hideous blue and the mirror isn’t the original but I have the perfect old mirror for it. How did you remove the paint on yours?
Hi Leslie,
I honestly don’t remember the brand but any paint remover should do the trick. I usually try to use the citrus-based on first then move on to the harsher chemical ones if that doesn’t work.
There is one of these in my mom’s basement. Sure wish she didn’t live 1300 miles away or I’d steal it! It too has the veneers that would need to be removed.
It’s time to make a trip to Mom’s! 😉
I love this blog, Jamie! The process is amazing and I really really thank-you!! ♥
-Roni
Thank you Roni! So glad you visited!
This is amazing, you have honestly inspired me to try and make great pieces for my home!
Thank you Ansley that’s such a great compliment!
super jeal.
totally looking for a vanity like that.
love it.
great job.
Thanks Melissa!
She’s gorgeous! Love the pop of color too!
Debbie
Thanks Debbie! 🙂
Love the pink on the side of the drawers, the piece is BEAUTIFUL!! NICE WORK!
Thank so much! I appreciate that!
She’s so pretty! I love it. Is Diane a troll? Anyway, I signed up to follow your blog. What took so long, eh? I’m just not an internet person, more of a phone gal 🙂 Laura
LOL Yes Laura, poor Diane is a troll! 😉
So glad you finally decided to follow. There’s nothing wrong with not being an internet person. I am obviously opposite from you. Maybe we can comprise, sometimes phone calls, sometimes emails? Love you!
Oh my goodness!!!! There is no limit to your talent my friend!!!! I just love that everything you work on, you put your heart and soul into. Keep it up, it is definitely your calling 🙂
XOXOXOXOXOX
Well aren’t you sweet!! Thank you Frissy! I have thought about you all weekend. I am currently stripping an old rocking chair with many, many layers of….stuff. 😉
That was a lot of work but oh so worth it. I am hoping you will share how you remove veneer sometime. Thanks for always being such a great inspriation.
Gorgeous. I just got a similar one at a thrift shop that I am looking to redo for my daughter’s room. I love the pink peeking out of the opened drawers!
Can you elaborate on the FISH FOAM? I just refinished an old vanity but I have having trouble getting the mirror very clean.
Thank you! I will try that.
Yes! And I’m so glad you asked. I had someone else ask about the Fish Foam and now I can’t find which question that forum was asked on!
Fish Foam is a window cleaning product. It sprays out in a foam and sits on the glass and “eats” through the grime leaving a beautiful shiny glass behind!
https://www.fishfoam.com/
Absolutely stunning! She is lovely thanks for sharing.
P.S. Love the ” pops ” of bright pink!
Thanks so much Julie!