Soft blue vintage vanity with tilt mirror and layered chippy paint, original casters & fixtures!

Here is a darling little vanity that I picked up and wanted to makeover.  I really enjoyed its shape, but the previous owner (or someone else perhaps) had painted it a cloying yellow with gold highlights and glazed it with a very heavy (and drippy) hand; likely in the 90's or earlier.  The paint was starting to chip, which I like on some pieces; but I couldn't stand the yellow-brown finish on it, and on top of that, it was covered in unsightly glaze drips that made the piece look filthy.  It was time for a makeover. 

 I started by stripping the table top and sealing it to show off the beautiful natural walnut and maple tones which had a beachy driftwood feel. I left the quirky parts of the top as they were because I like the imperfect look, especially when the rest of the piece has planned imperfections!  Then I thought a very pale and soft blue-green colour - almost like seaglass - would keep the piece from being too overwhelming, and suited the shape and beachy top.  And since I really am a sucker for ultra shabby-chic pieces, I decided to make the finish very chippy to show the layers of colours underneath: just as you'd see on old pieces painted with milk paint or old oil-based paint. I like that the old yellow paint colour compliments the soft blue and dark wood underneath.  After trying to get a more "authentic" chipping paint look, by using the existing chips and making more of my own, the whole piece was waxed to keep in step with the vanity's vintage and give a matte-eggshell sheen.   Would this piece have looked great restored?  Sure....but sometimes you can have fun with a piece too (so long as it's not a truly valuable antique!)  Now this piece is ready for a new home!

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Before: poorly finished, and frankly very homely!

After: a soft, beachy & very pretty shabby-chic vanity!

Peeps of the yellow paint and dark stain underneath compliment the soft blue colour nicely, and give the vanity a layered, time-worn feel.

 Gorgeous walnut & maple sealed in their natural colour state!

To place a custom furniture order or to purchase an existing piece or photography prints, please contact me at sageandbalm@gmail.com and I'll be happy to assist you!  You can also follow Sage & Balm on Facebook and at sageandbalm.com.

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