Need make over ideas

I have a vanity table that was given to me as a wedding gift 15 years ago. It is not really good for anything except being at "catch all" and sits in my entry since the seat broke many years ago. It's really showing its age. Any ideas on how to give it a make over?
  18 answers
  • Kimberly Barney Kimberly Barney on Apr 25, 2013
    I would paint it a bright white to match the baseboards which would also make the vanity table pop on that dark wall. As it is in the entry hall and no longer being used as a vanity table, You may wish to place a fabric lined basket under it or modify the table to have more storage.
  • I would recommend stripping it and staining it a lighter shade (maybe to match the floors better), then paint dipping those cute feet!
  • Kimberly C Kimberly C on Apr 25, 2013
    I agree that it needs to be a lighter shade and maybe a topiary on it for some life and a basket or source for catching those 'catch alls'. Orange shades would be a great contrast for the dark blue wall (where an accessory is concerned) maybe a terra cotta planter for the topiary.
  • LandlightS LandlightS on Apr 25, 2013
    Please do not paint. Perhaps a lighter shade of stain......it is a very nice looking piece, Gary
  • Leslie D Leslie D on Apr 25, 2013
    I would paint it black, and attach mirrors to the drawer, the front piece surrounding the drawer, and the sides, as well as the top of the piece. It would look similar to this. Is the piece solid, stained wood or laminated? That would determine a lot about whether you could re-stain it. I'm afraid if you paint it white, it will look like a child's piece, unless you glaze it to tone it down a bit.
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Apr 25, 2013
    I also would do it black. Chalk paint distress it. I have done several like this and I love them black. But you should pick your favorite color. And find what you love! Don't be afraid if you mess it up just start over.
  • Dorie Gibbons O'Neill Dorie Gibbons O'Neill on Apr 25, 2013
    thanks for the ideas! I did think about doing a white but with an "antique" look. it is real cherry wood. I think I would rather do a lighter stain to match my mahogany door. but would that work on cherry wood (this would be my first furniture makeover not really sure what will work). I also thought of modifying it by taking the mirror off and hanging it on the wall above it and putting a decorative basket on it to cover the holes.
  • Gail Salminen Gail Salminen on Apr 26, 2013
    @Dorie Gibbons O'Neill I am with @Sherrie and @Leslie D on the black. But it would depend on what is around it and the accent colours, a distressed red is also very stiking. As for trying to match the stain, the store usually has a colour guide on various types of wood, so check that out first. Please update us on your results. If this is your first project, I am sure you will be hooked by the end of it and search for other pieces to refinish - such fun! You might also want to check out the furniture posts on this site, it will really get your creative juices flowing. Thanks for posting :)
  • Mary Insana Mary Insana on Apr 26, 2013
    I do think it would look very nice in a white chalk paint with a dark wax and distressed too, which would be my first choice, and it would look very fresh against the dark walls.. You can use a Poly + stain product and that will change the color. I used red mahogany on a light piece and it looked really nice. You would have to sand it first but not completely down to bare wood. You can buy it near the stain at Home Depot or Lowes.
  • MARY T MARY T on Apr 27, 2013
    This is a lovely piece of furniture. I have a perfect spot for one at the end of my hallway. Now this helped me decide to put something like this in that area. I will be on the lookout for it. Can' t wait to see what you will do. Best wishes.
  • Deborah M Deborah M on Apr 27, 2013
    from what I see. use armor etch and do a neat design to the mirror. I would Paint the legs black and chage the pull
  • Marilyn M Marilyn M on Apr 27, 2013
    If you are going to sell it for the value, then don't paint it. If you are going to keep it and use it for your own home then sand it and re-stain it to a warm color or dark whichever you prefer, then highlight it around the mirror with gold paint. Set some pretty flowers on top of a lovely scarf that doesn't over take the stand. You could also change the hardware to match.
  • DianeU DianeU on Apr 27, 2013
    Is this the original finish? Is this an original antique or a replica. If it's a replica do what you want with it, but if it's a genuine old piece you will destroy the value of the table if you do anything with it. If it's an original leave it alone, sell it to a dealer and use the money to buy whatever you like.
  • Virginia Urbach Virginia Urbach on Apr 27, 2013
    Perhaps paint the wall. The dark blue paint does nothing to enhance this table. Add a larger size mirror, foliage or flowers.
  • Jo Ann Blackburn Jo Ann Blackburn on Apr 27, 2013
    Remove the mirror and that wooden piece on the back the holds it up. Remove the finish and bring out the look of the wood, just cover with clear lacquer and update the hardware. The mirror could be hung on the wall. It looks as if it is a small piece so I would top it with something like a small bowl to catch keys they might be thrown there.
  • Tamra L Tamra L on Apr 27, 2013
    I would paint it a dark color and then a light one and then a crackle finish on it to make it look old also change the hardware
  • CJ Delman CJ Delman on Apr 28, 2013
    I agree with Diane. It is tooo beautiful a piece. So sell it for something you would like in its place!!!
  • Dorie Gibbons O'Neill Dorie Gibbons O'Neill on Apr 29, 2013
    thanks everyone for the ideas! to answer a question about tue piece. this piece was purchase at Kmart 15 years ago for $100 (back when the sold real furniture not press board). even though it is real cherry wood it's not a very good quality and it has lots of nicks in it. so if I sold it I don't think I would get much. I don't want to sell because it was a wedding gift. I just want to freshen it up. thanks again.