Antique Washstand

Sorry, I don't have a before of this wash stand (apparently I was in a hurry!).   It had already been refinished in a dark stain and is in great condition.  I didn't want to tell the people I bought it from that I was painting it because I know how much work it is to refinish something!  Shhh...don't tell!

I have mass amounts some paint hanging out in my basement, so I thought I would experiment and mix my own color.  It has about 4 different colors in it from four different brands. :)  It's a little brighter than I normally do and it took a minute for it to grow on me, but now I love it.  

 AFTER

 It is very sweet. ;)

 I originally left the original pulls (I don't believe they were the actual originals but they were the pulls that were on it when I bought it) on it, but when I finished up and stood back to look at it I hated them!  They were very decorative and there was just too much going on on the drawers.  So, I had to remove them, fill in the holes, and repaint the drawers.  A fairly quick redo turned into a big ol pain in the you know what! 

I've said many times before how I love that a cup pull can instantly update a piece.  I love that it still feels vintagy with the color, shape, and details, but has a modern element with the pulls. 

 I actually didn't sand this top down to the bare wood, which is the first time I've ever not done that!  I simply took the old finish off by hand and then stained it with a coat of Java Gel.  I could get away with it because the top was in nice condition to begin with as it had been refinished once before.

 I painted the insides of the drawers with a pretty butter yellow and love how it just adds a little bit of fun when you open them up! 

I love the back piece on this stand too!  I wet distressed this piece so I didn't take off the dark finish under the paint. 

Antique Wash Stand

Funny story.  I saw this cute antique wash stand listed on my local FB classifieds page.  I didn't see it in time and a few others had already said they would take it.  A friend of mine is the one who ended up with it and I was just a teensy bit jealous. ;)  I love these sweet little pieces.  

It was gone, but I knew it was in a good home (I was still sad I didn't get to get my grubby little paws on it though!).  Fast forward a couple of months...she messages me and asks me if I would like to do a desk and hutch for her daughter...

AND...

the cute little wash stand!  Yay! :)

She wanted to keep it neutral and I knew it would be perfect in a soft white.

BEFORE

It had been refinished once before.  The hardware that's on there isn't the original.  I found previously filled holes and the back plates were to cover them up.  Whoever refinished it also used a really light wood filler that didn't take the stain, so anywhere they had filled holes you could see it, 

 AFTER

I mixed this white a few weeks ago from some left overs and it's my new favorite.  No pink, gray, or yellow undertones.  It's soft and a little warm and I have to touch it every time I use it. 

This baby is definitely old and I love how the paint picks up all the great imperfections in the wood.  So cute!

 The top was in good condition so I sanded it down, gave it one coat of Java Gel, and a few coats of High Performance Top Coat (from General Finishes) in flat.  I never, never, never get tired of white paint with a dark top!

 Am I crazy that I love all those little holes in the top edge of the top?  

 I thought the knobs needed to contrast a little more than the white ceramic ones that were on there.  I love these antique brass ones.

Look at the cute sides!  I told her if she doesn't want to keep it I will take it back! :)

Reproduction of Antique Wash Basin

Sometimes I feel like I have to justify myself a little, so I will tell you this is not an antique.  :)  It's beautiful and it's unique, but it's only a reproduction. So, I didn't feel too badly about painting (and distressing the crap out of) it.  I've been wanting something different for the corner of my porch and I wanted something I could put flowers in, so this fit both needs...wants...needs...whatever. :)

 Before

 After

This was originally going to go out on my deck which is why I distressed it so heavily, but I love it on my porch, too! 

 Just adore all the details.

Yes, I saved the original bowl and pitcher
and,
 yes, I spray painted this flower pot, too! (see this post)

color = Greek Villa SW