The Find
When I found this vanity on Facebook Marketplace in West Monroe, Louisiana, it was sitting in the garage waiting for its next chapter. The family was preparing to move, and the vanity had spent years in a little girl’s room.
While the dark finish wasn’t necessarily my style, I immediately noticed the beautiful mirror, delicate details, and turned legs. In fact, I had been searching for a piece with this style of leg because I knew I wanted to create a design that combined painted finishes with natural wood tones.
The Vision
Before making any color decisions, I sanded back the top to see what was hiding underneath. The wood looked surprisingly good, although it turned out to be made from two different species.
Instead of fighting those differences, I decided to embrace them. As the wood was revealed, the vision for the piece became clear: warm wood tones, a soft painted finish, and romantic details that would transform the vanity into something truly unique.
The Transformation
The first step was refinishing the top. After sanding, I used Voodoo Gel Stain to create a two-toned finish, allowing the outer edges to remain slightly lighter while adding depth and richness to the center of the top.
I loved the look so much that I carried the same finish onto the vanity’s turned legs, tying the natural wood elements together and highlighting one of the features that first attracted me to the piece.
For the body, I chose a soft sage green that felt fresh while still honoring the vanity’s vintage character.
To add a little personality, I applied “Romantic Peonies” decoupage paper from Whimsykel Designs to the outside ends of the vanity. The soft florals brought a romantic touch and transformed the sides into beautiful focal points rather than forgotten details.
With the paint and decoupage complete, it was time for the finishing touches.
The original hardware needed a little more pizazz, so I refinished it with antique brass Rub ’n Buff.
I also created custom floral moulds using a Redesign with Prima silicone mould. After finishing them in antique brass, I applied them throughout the vanity to highlight its elegant curves and vintage charm.
The entire piece was sealed with Varathane Satin Water-Based Polyurethane for lasting protection and a soft, durable finish.
The Reveal
What began as a dark, traditional vanity became a completely new piece with a soft and romantic personality.
Warm wood tones, sage green paint, delicate florals, and antique brass details transformed it into something elegant, feminine, and timeless.
My favorite detail is the way the floral side panels, custom moulds, and refinished wood work together to create a piece that feels both unique and true to its original character.
This is why I love furniture refinishing. Sometimes all it takes is a little imagination to uncover the beauty that was there all along.
What I Learned
One of my favorite things about furniture refinishing is learning to work with what a piece gives you instead of forcing it to become something it’s not.
The different wood species in the top could have been viewed as a challenge, but they ultimately became part of the design. By embracing those differences rather than hiding them, the finished piece gained even more character.
This project was also a reminder that the finishing details matter. The moulds, hardware, and floral accents were small additions, but together they elevated the entire piece and helped bring the vision to life.
Sometimes the best designs aren’t fully planned from the beginning—they reveal themselves one step at a time.
Products Used
- DIxie Bell Voodoo Gel Stain
- Custom mixed paint color
- Whimsykel Designs Romantic Peonies Decoupage Paper
- Redesign with Prima Silicone Mould
- Rub ’n Buff (Antique Brass)
- Varathane Satin Water-Based Polyurethane
Looking for the products and tools I use in the workshop?
Visit my Favorite Refinishing Supplies page for a list of my go-to products, tools, and workshop essentials.