Melamine Powder Room Vanity Makeover Without Stripping, Sanding, or Pr
$150
5 Hours
Easy
It only takes one look to know that this 1990s builder's grade, white melamine powder room bath vanity was way past due for an upgrade. The only problem standing in my way was money.
BEFORE - 1990s melamine bath vanity
To rip out this unit and replace it with a swanky new vanity would cost a few thousand dollars. And, I just wasn't in a position to commit that kind of money to this project, so I had to find another option.
Also in the plan was to find a way to paint the vanity without having to go through the traditional steps for prepping the surface. Yep. I'm lazy like that. So I thoroughly cleaned the unit and applied a basecoat of dark teal chalk paint made with Poppies Paint Powder additive.
Then, a white wash made with the same chalk paint formula was applied. And, suddenly, I had another problem. It was hideous. And, I didn't know what to do. So, while doing more research, I started making accessories. First, a ladder.
Then, a clearance rack mirror was rescued, repaired, refinished.
After that, old bifold doors were cut and refinished to layer under the mirror. Say hello to helper Jim.
By the time the wall was basically complete, the color and finish for the vanity had finally occurred to me. Huuuuum, yea. Five coats of chalk paint later, but let's not dwell on that. LOL. Moving on for a peek at the new cabinet hardware.
And the new sink hardware.
Wouldn't you agree that, in a rather unexpected and backwards way, the vanity and the wall were beginning to come together?
It happened because I just kept working on it, day after day, trying new paint colors and chipping away with the accessories. And, with the help of the accessories, the final color was finally found (Sherwin Williams Escape Gray in a semigloss finish made into chalk paint using Poppies Paint additive).
And, I am so, so happy with the results. I tell you this story in this particular way to encourage your inner DIYer. Sometimes projects go as planned and sometimes they don't. Sometimes, you'll find your bliss by working around or through problems. The key is to just keep working. This is how my sad little vanity found its fabulous new updo.
More photos and more DIY projects are available over on the blog. Coming soon is the reveal of a 6-foot by 8-foot bookcase built in this very powder room, but in a most unusual place. It'd be a pleasure to have you stop by.
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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2 of 8 comments
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Oh..how nice!! Hope you'll post pics!! And Thx for your kind words.
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I love how your bathroom turned out. I have been wondering if you could paint over melamine. I have it in my bathrooms (and kitchen) too.
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Absolutely love your bathroom. The escape gray is awesome. I have always been told that semi gloss doesn’t work well with chalk pain. Are you of that opinion?