Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue

We all know the rhyming wedding tradition… something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

A time-honoured wedding tradition where brides have all four items on their wedding day for good luck.  A custom many have followed for centuries. 👰🏼

Perhaps the tradition would permit all four in one?! Well if it would, I might just have the perfect item:

An OLD antique dresser,
that has been transformed into a NEW vanity-sink,
to be BORROWED from my beautiful niece Robyn on her wedding day (guest lavatory),
which I painted in the most charming BLUE. ☺️

Yes… we all know the traditional wedding rhyme.  And we should also all know and understand what a true antique is… although the term antique is often used loosely to describe any object that is old… a true antique is at least 100 years old.

A true antique indeed this dresser is!  While carefully disassembling the mirror in preparation for my transformation, I found this very old Winnipeg Free Press newspaper settled behind it.  Although the date had been cut-off, I did some Googling from one of the obits, and learned that the paper was from February 1911!  108 years ago!  Now that is OLD… and yes, that is a true antique!

Not all antiques should be painted.  This I know and respect well.  This one however, I felt was a worthy transformation candidate — a beautiful piece that could be accentuated and revitalized from a restoration!  While still a very solid piece (with no mirror damage), the finish was flaking away — and it was flooded with dings, nicks, scratches, and water stains.

Although most definitely not my last, this was my first Dresser ➡ Vanity-Sink transformation.  I have been ACHING  to do one, and very impatiently waited for the right piece to come along.  I researched plenty of how-to’s, and found inspiration from a few fellow furniture artists.  After finding the perfect piece, researching, gaining inspiring ideas, and FINALLY deciding on a colour… I very carefully got to work with a lil’ help from my hubs. A labour of love that was so very worth our time:

• Disassembled mirror and removed incomplete set of original hardware ~ and learned while doing so that this piece is at least 108 years old
• Cut hole in top ~ in preparation for vessel sink placement
• Altered top 2 drawers, and cut hole in back ~ in preparation for plumbing hook-up
• Lightly sanded down entire piece ~ to best prepare for chalk paint adhesion
• Gave entire piece a good vacuum and cleaning ~ final prep before the real fun begins
• Applied 2 coats of Country Chic Paint’s ‘All-In-One Decor Paint’ in the colour ‘Happy Hour’ to the entire piece ~ a cheerful and subdued sea glass blue
• Applied 3 coats of  Country Chic Paint’s ‘All-In-One Decor Paint’ in the colour ‘Simplicity’ to the interior drawers ~ a delightfully pure and clean white
• Sanded entire piece down (copiously in chosen areas where I wanted the wood to come through)  ~ to achieve a sweetly imperfected and farmhouse chic look
• Applied 3 coats of Varathane’s ‘Diamond Wood Finish‘ (water-based, satin) to the entire piece ~ to achieve a crystal clear, water-resistant, and highly durable finish
• Installed new vessel sink and faucet ~ hook-up the plumbing, and you’re good to go
• Reassembled mirror, and installed new hardware ~ a lovely match with the sink and faucet

A true antique dresser (CIRCA 1911), that was achingly dull and longing for revitalization — now a breathtaking upcycled vanity-sink in the most cheerful and subdued sea glass blue colour. A custom and unique piece that will settle ever-so-sweetly into ones’ abode. Lavatory antique charm with a subtly sweet and sumptuous touch for YOU.

* All of my furniture pieces are preloved, with expected signs of age and use — sweet imperfections which I believe adds to their unique character and charm.

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❤ This Antique Dresser Vanity-Sink ~ SOLD to Leah ❤
DIMENSIONS: 33.5″+41” H x 38” W x 18.75” D

Pssst… did you notice my upcycled mason jars in the pics with this piece?!  For those that might fancy them as much as I do, I’ve got a set just for YOU in my Etsy Shop!  A practical, tidy and charming way to display florals, store hand soap, cosmetics, wipes n’ more! And my pumps are STAINLESS STEEL… that’s right — NO RUST… available in both ‘foaming’ and ‘liquid’ dispense form!👌🏻

I hope you visit again! My #farmlifebestlife awaits more simple living, generous loving and constant learning — graced with an abundance of country chic character and sweet imperfections, both for me and for YOU! ❤

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I invite you to learn more about the exquisitely charming Country Chic Paint products that I am over the moon in LOVE with, and use in ALL of my transformations. Find them on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.