Vanity, vanity: a new start for a lovely desk

I like vanities even though as you may know, I’m not a big primper.  They can double as a desk, or if you are a primper, a vanity.

This lovely I found on Craigslist (surprise!) and it was close to me, which, given that I live out in the boonies is saying something.  Here are a few “before” shots, though they’re not true “before” shots as I’d already stripped the top and the drawer fronts.  I’m a leetle impatient sometimes, and once I get an idea in my head, well, watch out.

However, if you know me in the flesh, you know that I’m both impatient and slow.  I tend to not make rash, impulsive decisions about life, people, and as it happens, furniture.  All that to say, this has been in my possession for awhile and I’ve spent a fair amount of time staring at it, deciding if I wanted to paint it, strip it, throw it on the burn pile… just kidding!

Ultimately, I decided to strip the top and drawer fronts; the veneer, as you’ll see, was too striking to cover with paint.

 

Since I’m Queen and all, I believe in having underlings do all my dirty work.  See that cute little blondie?
Yep, she’s my slave.

Slave labor aside, I ended up basing my overall color scheme on the fabric above and wanted to include some color variation in the final product that reproduced the lovely variation in the fabric.  To create this effect,  I used milk paint, my primary medium.  Milk paint arrives at your doorstep in powdered form and then you mix it with water while controlling consistency, and color.  See Techniques/Tutorials for general information on milk paint.   Milk paint also lends itself well to layering colors, particularly if you use a wax resist or dry brushing technique.  Here, I used a dry brush technique, brushing the light green over the darker green, while not covering it completely.  An imperfect science to be sure, but fun!   As you’ll see below, the darker green is just visible in some places, creating both depth and interest.

 

Sadly, I didn’t find an old stationary pad from Target filled with letters to an old flame in this vanity, but I did find this: Somebody bought some Bran Chex.  Do they even make that anymore?

While I’m not sure about the Bran Chex, this piece went the loveliest gal: Tara from A Splendid Adventure Photography.  I have no doubt this vanity is enjoying its new home and new life.

Thanks for reading!