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There is something utterly feminine and romantic about sitting down at an ornate vanity to fix your hair and put on makeup. It hearkens back to a bygone era; a time when furniture was not only beautiful, but was also made to last.
Unfortunately, most older vanities that have survived this long are somewhat worse for wear. Typically their finishes are scratched or marred in some way, detracting from the beauty of the piece. This doesn’t mean, however, that they should find their way to the junk heap. Instead, you can breathe new life into these fabulous old pieces with a bit of chalk paint.
If you aren’t familiar with chalk paint, it is a type of paint that dries with a matte finish that is similar to the look of chalk. Although its name implies that it should only come in white like chalk itself, it actually comes in a wide range of colors.
One of the biggest benefits associated with this paint is that that it can be applied directly over the top of a painted or stained piece of furniture without having to remove the original finish. Because of this, it is ideal for painting old vanities to make them like new again.
Creating a chalk paint vanity is surprisingly easy. One of the hardest parts is finding a vanity that is worth painting. You should spend some time shopping flea markets and antique malls to locate an older piece that has lots of style and that is built with sturdy construction.
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Depending on the look you are going for, you can either look for a vanity that features ornate scroll work and delicate details, or you can look for one that has clean lines and a more modern look. Ideally, you should try to find one that comes with a matching vanity bench so you can create a set.
Once you have the vanity, then you need to choose which color you want to paint it. If you are going for a shabby chic look, you should probably opt for white, cream, pale blue or light pink. Consider distressing the paint once it is applied. Alternatively, try thinning the paint with water so that the original wood shows through. This can help give the piece a vintage or aged look.
If, on the other hand, you want your piece to be a bit more modern, you can choose a bright, bold color. Try painting it a brilliant shade of red or an unexpected bright green color to really make an impact in your space.
For a more elegant look, you can also opt for a deep charcoal shade or a muted olive green color. Think about your other furnishings when deciding which color will look best.
Creating a chalk paint vanity can be a fun and rewarding project. Although it takes a little bit of effort to find the perfect vanity and get it painted, in the end you will have a beautiful piece of furniture that you can cherish for years to come.
