Mom’s Heirloom Vanity Is Saved!
Tammy remembers her Mom sitting at the vanity doing what Mom’s do. Hair, makeup, earrings. As little girls, we watch in anticipation of doing these things ourselves as evidence of becoming a woman. So, what to do now that the years have flown by, the parents’ house needs cleared. The vanity that once was beautiful, promising and, holds so many memories is beat up, kind of ugly and, there is no way you part with it. You don’t have to thrift, sell or, otherwise rid yourself of a precious albeit ugly family treasure. Do what Tammie did. She re-designed it to fit her style and called me to make it happen.
BEFORE
This piece is 1980 gorgeous with professional hand painted floral and ivy design. The mirror had broken off making it even more tempting to part ways with it. But we persevered. The challenge for me as the re-painter is that it is a re-paint job. The floral and ivy was applied by hand. You could feel the flow of the paint with your finger, up and down where the flowers lie and at their edges. Same with the vine and leaves. We had to accept that the re-paint job wouldn’t be as smooth as a fresh paint job.
The Mission: Makeover Mom’s Vanity to Match in Tammie’s Bathroom.
We were working with a French chic shower curtain, French chic wallpaper border, tan tiles and beige walls.
I was given designers license to choose the base color for re-painting, an invitation to use those transfer decal things and to add any other embellishment I thought necessary. Tammy and I texted a few transfer options and settled on Violet Hill from Re-design with Prima.
AFTER
Here’s what a little elbow grease and some fine materials will do. Who wouldn’t feel extra special pulling into this beauty for their own bit of pampering. Mom would be proud.
MATERIALS USED:
Cleaning and Prep: Krud Kutter cleaner and sandpaper
Paint and Topcoat: Temporal Spirit by Benjamin Moore DIY Chalk Paint and General Finishes High Performance Flat
Embellishments: ReDesign With Prima Violet Hills Transfer, Gold metallic acrylic and Frog Tape for the stripes; Rub N Buff Gold for edge antiquing.
HAVE AN UGLY HEIRLOOM?
If you have an antique vanity stuck in the garage that has seen better days, don’t despair! With a little bit of time and effort, we can make into new glory. Contact me, like Tammie did to start a conversation.
My favorite paint projects are the ones with a little challenge and a lot of heart – Kelly
