What to do with this mirror?

Laura Whalen
by Laura Whalen
I got this at a yard sale for $75.00. I intended on painting it. But after doing research I found out it is from 1900-1950 and is estimated at $400.00. Do I paint it or clean it up and enjoy it as is?
This is what I bought
This what I found online.
  21 answers
  • Carole Carole on Aug 25, 2016
    I would be surprised if you got $400 for it, even though it has been valued at that. It is only worth what someone will pay for it. In your case, you paid $75 which I reckon is about right. Do what you will with it if you are keeping it for yourself. It appears to be in the art deco style that was popular in the 1920's.
  • Lad5483840 Lad5483840 on Aug 25, 2016
    I have one very similar to this that was handed down from a great aunt. I had it professionally restored (about $100.00) and I use it in the guest bedroom.
  • Sad4303422 Sad4303422 on Aug 25, 2016
    Just my opinion, but if it were mine, I would leave as is. Love that look.
  • Marsha Marsha on Aug 25, 2016
    I love it as is but you should do what is pleasing to you and your surroundings, regardless of it's worth.
  • Crv2786767 Crv2786767 on Aug 25, 2016
    Wel, after decades of collecting gorgeous old furniture and stripping to return it to its original beauty, I would say answer one of two questions. 1. Do you prefer wood look, or 2. Do you like the paint or paint glaze look. Once you know that and it shouldn't take long to decide, go with it. If it needs stripping, then make sure you do it properly so as not to l ice the veneer. I had a set like this. You can at a professional. Then choose your stain or gel stain and follow the directions. Many you tube videos to watch. And I always top coat with tung oil applied with a lint free cloth. At least three coats. Don't have to worry about water stains with that. The mirror is beautiful. But you could add your own etching design if you are so inclined. If you prefer paint and or paint and glaze, I have don't a few large pieces with chalk paint and wax. They turned out gorgeous. And you can creat whatever color scheme you desire. I have taken my least enjoyable pieces and made works of art out of them. Now I love them. I would never paint over really nice wood, but some of it is very average and artistic paint just gives the piece an entirely new and fresh look. Have fun!
    • Crv2786767 Crv2786767 on Aug 25, 2016
      Sorry, some typos- lift the veneer, take it to a professional, there are many YouTube , take a scotch Brite pad and lightly rub between coats to take the nubbies off.
  • Connie Connie on Aug 25, 2016
    I love the lines on this piece. You could make it your own and give a beautiful paint finish to match your decor. You could frost stencil a border around the mirror. Here is another idea for stenciling the mirror. http://lifehacker.com/5174475/use-a-mirror-st...
  • Kevin Vance Kevin Vance on Aug 25, 2016
    if you bought it to sell again, and you can find someone willing to pay that much, then just clean it up and do that, but if you bought it to use in your home and you want to match your dƩcor with paint, then paint it, your not out anything since you only paid $75 and you can probably sell it for more than that even painted when that time comes
  • Marjorie O'Meara Marjorie O'Meara on Aug 25, 2016
    My mother had a vanity dresser exactly like that back in the 40's and 50's. I used to love to sit and watch her brush her hair and put make up on. I would clean it up, enjoy the patina and leave it as age left it. This is history.
  • Susan Susan on Aug 25, 2016
    No paint! That will make it worthless, not to mention basic boring like everyone else. Clean it, use lemon oil, and enjoy it's beauty.
  • Susan Susan on Aug 25, 2016
    Also, why would you ask if you should paint it when you can clearly see in the mirror beautiful wood furniture in that room that is not painted?.
  • M Diane Mattson M Diane Mattson on Aug 25, 2016
    my Grandmother had one of these; she died when I was six (am 73 now). I dreamed of having this vanity my whole life. Don't change it, don't paint it, clean and put on lemon oil and know how lucky you are to have found it and bought it for only $75...
  • Laura Whalen Laura Whalen on Aug 25, 2016
    Thank you for your feedback.
  • Mary Cruikshank Mary Cruikshank on Aug 25, 2016
    Clean it up as good as you can without removing any of that beautiful wood. Then enjoy it for yourself. It is beautiful.
  • Nancy Nancy on Aug 25, 2016
    FIRST, apply a little mineral spirits to the wood. This will give you an idea of how the wood will look refinished. Then, gently wash the piece with a mild soap and water solution. DO NOT SATURATE the wood. Let it dry. Sand very lightly since this is probably a veneer finish and you could do more damage if you sand too hard. Use a tack cloth to remove sanding dust. APPLY a WOOD CONDITIONER. This step is extremely important if you want an evenly stained piece. Many vanities were made of various woods and veneers. USE a gel stain in your color choice. Often, these vanities were stained walnut, mahogany or made to look like birds eye maple. Be sure to read all directions for wood conditioner and gel stain. I like Minwax products. I usually do not apply a poly finish. I like to apply a tung oil finish. I am an antique dealer and have refinished six of these vanities. Once they are refinished well, they can sell up to $700.00 with the original bench and in mint condition. CONDITION is everything. Repainted vanities sell for under $200. Beautifully painted vanities can sell for as high as $500. But repainted vanities are client/purchaser specific. Hope this helps. Take it a step at a time. If you plan to keep the finished piece for yourself, you will have a very lovely vanity only if you are patient. A beautiful finish is time consuming. If you need to completely STRIP and repair the piece, check out the Family Handyman website and other tutorials. Good luck.
  • Nancy Nancy on Aug 25, 2016
    Point of note. FULL round mirrors are more desirable than partial mirrors inset into base.
  • Nancy Nancy on Aug 25, 2016
    Second note, Bakelite handles or very unusual brass handles add value too.
  • Nancy Nancy on Aug 25, 2016
    When searching for examples for inspiration on the Internet and Pinterest, look for VINTAGE WATERFALL VANITY.
  • Bernadette Staal Bernadette Staal on Aug 25, 2016
    Please do it up - the saddest thing I see at the moment is people using paint techniques on beautiful wood. In the back of my mind I always think - that might look nice now but the next generation / owner will be scrapping off the paint to get back the natural timber. If you feel you can not handle the job yourself you are bound to find a local furniture restorer (yes it might cost money - but you will get that back in spades), imagine it looking brand new with a French polish. You may want to flash it up a bit with some new antique handles and I just wonder how fantastic the mirror will look with mini LED lights around it (when it is finished). This is a purchase for a life time so please do it once, do it right and if that means waiting a while, then wait.
  • Chubby58 Chubby58 on Aug 29, 2016
    Keep it as is and enjoy it!
  • Charlene Charlene on Oct 06, 2016
    I have this exact same vanity! Love it....this is what I did. Used General Finishes gel stain in antique walnut and went right over the old finish without sanding or anything. It came out beautifully!!
  • Carey Carey on Oct 19, 2016
    Years ago, my mother used tung oil to refinish her lovely vanity that had some top damage. It turned out beautifully and is now being enjoyed by the Grandson and his family. It was what was advised for redoing antique furniture to preserve the value of something so lovely.