Shabby Chic Vanity & Mirror Tutorial

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shabby Chic Dresser with Mirror

Here you see one of my "treasures" that I purchased in Georgia. This little guy had all the castors, and a large round mirror that I had taken off the vanity before this picture. I don't know if you can see the top, but I had sanded it down to the solid wood top. I did give it one coat of a darker walnut stain by minwax. After that, I finished the top with two coats of polyurethane, steel wooling in between and after coating. It turned out so pretty....

I then decided to give it a white, shabby chic, finish on the lower part and the frame of the mirror. There was a large flat area on the lower edge of the mirror frame. I felt it needed a little feminine touch and I shopped at www.doityourselfChic.com to get the perfect applique. They have very affordable resin based products that add a special, one of a kind trim to your projects. I chose #F2 which was a small floral embellishment. I then glued it to the spot on the frame, taped it down with painters tape and left it overnight to dry. The next morning, I stained the applique with the walnut stain, I had used on the top, as the appliques come in a "raw" wood tone. I took a taper candle and rubbed it over the areas on vanity and frame where I wanted the paint to come off easily when I distress sanded it. I chose Annie Sloan Soft White Chalk Paint and painted two coats on frame and bottom of vanity. I used this on the outside of the drawers, but painted the inside of the drawers with the Paris Grey color. After drawers dried, I papered them with a Jeanne D'Arc paper I have been hoarding. To freshen the really lovely hardware, I removed and gave them a light coating of Gilder's Paste in African Bronze. I then antiqued the entire piece with a gentle sanding to give it the appearance of being loved and used. I did not use the wax on the lower edge or the frame as it seemed that the finish was smooth. Knowing the top had the urethane, I knew that would be protected! What you see below is the final result. It is now in our booth at Antiques on Main in Gallatin, Tennessee where it will go to its new home. Once again, I was able to take an item that needed a little help, freshen it up, and hopefully give it a new path to loveliness. I urge you to find a piece and give it a try. You may surprise yourself, like I do.