Remember this?
After much work and a lot of sweat (I had to work outside in over 100 degree heat!) here is the finished project.
Gorgeous Art Deco vanity isn't it?
Now here's how I did it. First I stripped off all the veneer that was left on it some of it two layers deep because part of it had come off two layers deep. Then I proceeded to sand down the entire piece. Most of the onlays were broken or totally missing so I went to Lowe's and picked out a few different wood appliques and cut them apart to get the look I wanted and applied them to the vanity.
Next I painted it with Old White chalk paint. It took three coats because I didn't use a primer. In hindsight I should have applied a primer as the wood was so dry and just soaked that paint right up. In case you don't know it is not necessary to use primer with chalk paint which is one of the reasons I love it so much. I then applied a coat of wax after which I distressed the vanity in the areas that would naturally be worn from use. I then applied another coat of wax and buffed.
I decided to paint the handles the same color as the vanity after first leaving them the way they were and not really liking how they looked. After I finished my granddaughter said, "Oh Nonnie, it looks just like a wedding cake!" I just love how it turned out and seriously considered keeping it but ended up putting in my booth at King's Antique Mall.
Any questions? Feel free to contact me to get more details I'll be glad to share. I hope this inspires you to go out and paint something for your home.
I've entered this vanity in the following linky parties.
