This was my first time painting or re-doing a piece of furniture and let me tell you..
it wasn't easy!
After one major set back (and one minor melt-down) the finished product is
exactly what I envisioned!
I started off with a vanity that I purchased from Target about 4 years ago. After surviving with me during two years of college and three moves it isn't a shock that this poor piece of furniture had seen better days -
The Problem
1. The top was stained with 4 years worth of makeup
2. Over cluttered
3. Plain Boring
In order to solve this problem I started by taking apart the mirror and removing the hardware. I used a few pieces of computer paper and painters tape to protect the mirror while I gave the wood a fresh coat of white paint.
After I re-painted the entire vanity glossy white, I started working on the chevron stripes. I knew there was no way for me to free hand this so I searched online for some sort of template and I came across this one at Billiemonster.com. I chose to use the large/thin template and I printed out enough to fit my vanity lengthwise.
I lined up the bottom points with one side of the vanity and taped the template into place. Then began the long tedious process of taping off the perfect lines until I was left with...
This
I also decided to add a little pop of color to the front drawer and sides so I taped them off and painted
After several coats of gray paint and much anticipation it was time to unveil my masterpiece..
Or not!
It was a painters tape disaster!
The paint leaked underneath the tape due to slight ridges in the vanity that were hardly even noticeable. If that wasn't bad enough the paint also ripped off entire chunks of paint with each piece that I pulled up.
Matt suggested that I sand and start over - but after all that time I spent taping I wasn't giving up that easy, plus whose to say the same thing wouldn't happen twice?
So instead I went in with a paint brush and meticulously fixed each line by hand!
Once I finished patching up the stripes I sealed the whole top with polyurethane and I'm hoping that it will last me many years to come!
Sure this process took some time (about 5 hours total) but don't you think it was worth it?!
So c'mon tell me what you think!
Comment below and please don't forget to follow us!
This is just the first piece to my vanity corner revitalization project! Stay tuned to see what other pieces I revamped and to see the completed look!
I hope you're having a great weekend!
-Alison
P.S.
We're linking this project up with these parties!
Gorgeous!! It's always wonderful when such time and effort leads to such a great result. Curious if you sealed it all or left as is?
ReplyDelete-sara @ applestonedrive.blogspot.com
Yes I did seal it with polyurethane! Thanks for reminding me, I'll have to add that into the post!
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful!!! Glad you only had one major setback and one major meltdown, heehee. Great job, I found you at Friday Fun Party.
ReplyDeletethis looks great i would love for you to link it up at http://twiggstudios.blogspot.com/2012/03/sunday-show-off-linky-party-4.html
ReplyDeleteenjoy the rest of your weekend xxx
You are invited to participate in my blog hop:
ReplyDeletehttp://juliejewels1.blogspot.com/2012/03/show-your-stuff-13-chocolate-cover.html
wow. i can't believe you essentially ended up hand painting this! it turned out lovely! i'd love for you to link this up to my new spread the love link party. there is also an amazing giveaway going on now for a green berry shop scarf! http://www.lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com/2012/03/spread-love-1-green-berry-shop-giveaway.html check it out if you are interested! {love} lauryn @ lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteIts a shame we have to suffer for beauty but I'm surprised you were able to cover all the steps you did in just 5 hours...I'm thinking it would take me 5 days! I love a chevron and I think this looks great. Good for you that you didn't throw in the towel and start over but figured out how to move forward when you faced a disappointing tape removal / reveal. I notice you used the blue tape and I honestly have never had success with it ... have you ever tried Frog Tape (the green stuff)? It actually has a component in it that absorbs paint that lands on it so it won't bleed ... there's probably no 100% solution to taping, but I've never had a single paint bleed once I switched to Frog Tape. Enjoyed this first post as a new Follower!
ReplyDeleteRobin
happilyhomeafter.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for the tip! I'm definitely going to try the frog tape next time! And thanks for stopping by - I'm going to check out your blog now ;)
DeleteThat looks fantasic. :) Megan
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love the Chevrons. We recently hand painted wallpaper on my craft room wall. I totally understand the melt down thing! Great job!
ReplyDelete-Jacque@theDIYvillage.com
It turned out GREAT, but no wonder you had a melt down. I doubt you could have started with anything more difficult.....all that taping. It can only get easier after that project.
ReplyDeleteNOW FOLLOWING YOU, so please come visit me and 'follow back'.
Hi, Alison. I'm sure it took you a while to paint the chevron pattern, but it sure was worth your time! I'm loving the transformation! I'm your newest fan. Please stop by bellanest.blogspot.com if you get a chance. =)
ReplyDeleteI love the chevron pattern and this project is just awesome!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.seesewandseedlings.blogspot.com/
Awesome, love the pattern and you creativity. Thanks for sharing and linking up to my newbie party.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great. I love that you didn't just get rid of it, but updated to fit your lifestyle now. Great job!
ReplyDeletevery pretty pattern and a great idea. It really brightens up the white. Looking forward to see more of your posts.
ReplyDeletebeautiful chevron - go girl! new linky party opening up! c'mon by & play if you'd like!
ReplyDeletewww.NorthernCottage.net
WONDERFUL, wonderful ! WOW !
ReplyDeleteI am in love with this redo! Lovin' some chevron.
ReplyDeletehttp://shabbysweettea.com
How great is that?! Nice job!
ReplyDelete~Elena
http://acasarella.blogspot.com/
Looks wonderful! I just finished a quilt using chevrons so you know I'm a fan ;) I also second Robin's comment about frog tape, I've heard it's way better than plain ol' painter's tape.
ReplyDeleteLove the chevron and color.. It's really frustrating for a paint disaster after all that taping, but you did well painting the lines yourself.. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up at friday fun party
Hani
craftionary.net
Visiting from Debbie Doo's! This vanity is amazing! Love the chevrons! Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteblessings,
karianne
Wow! You really brought the beauty out of that vanity!;-) I love it. Thanks for sharing the how tos. New follower.
ReplyDeletePeggy
pjhdesignsoneofakind.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing at Potpourri Friday! I appreciate your participation!
ReplyDeleteI love the chevron pattern, it turned out great!
ReplyDeleteShannon @SewSweetCottage.blogspot.com
Wow. That is gorgeous. You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteSooooooo sorry you had to do all that touching up!
ReplyDeleteBut the end result is fantabulous!
I love the gray with the white!
And I would LOVE IT if you'd share this at Feature Friday FREE-FOR-ALL going on right now!
http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/2012/03/feature-friday-free-for-all-10-my.html
Hope to see you soon!
P.S. I'm a new follower. : )
~Abbie
Love it!! You did a great job!! I'm your newest GFC and Linky Follower. I'd love it if you could follow back. http://www.applesandpnutbutter.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThanks
Turned out beautiful! what a laboe of love! Thank you for sharing at Uncommon! Bonnie ;)
ReplyDeleteYou are featured this week on Busy Monday at A Pinch of Joy! Love your chevron table -- pinned it too!
ReplyDeletePlease feel free to stop by and grab a Featured Button. Can’t wait to see what other project you’ve been working on — hope you will link again soon!
Great job! I am passing on the Liebster Blog Award to you. Come visit http://urbanhoot.blogspot.com/2012/03/liebster-blog-award.html to find out how to pass the award on.
ReplyDeleteLove it! I'm a new follower.
ReplyDelete