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    Repurposed Furniture » Waterfall vanity re-do pt 2

    Waterfall vanity re-do pt 2

    Published by Gail | Published April 1, 2010 | Updated August 24, 2021
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    waterfall vanity before
    Here is the “before” of my $5.00 vanity. See how low the middle part is? That’s what I didn’t like about this piece. I felt like no one would want it unless they could get their legs under it. So I had three choices. 1) I could separate it and use it as two nightstands. 2) I could raise the middle portion to make a desk. 3) I could lower the middle portion to make it a settee sort of piece.
    100_6840
    As you’ve already seen, I separated the three pieces from each other.
    100_6854
    The veneer came off 3 of the 4 sides perfectly like you see here.
    100_6852
    BUT, on this side the veneer was glued really well. I was not going to be able to paint this piece. I would have to cover up the uneven layers. I contemplated doing the brown paper bag technique that I describe here. However, I felt like doing something new, and maybe easier. You can see that I used some gray primer under the black.
    100_6700
    I used my 3M super 77 multipurpose adhesive that I got in my Goodwill Shop & Hop swag bag . . .
     100_6941
    . . . and some textured wallpaper.
     100_6942
    I sprayed the adhesive on the back of the wallpaper and stuck it on.
    100_7003
    However, it didn’t adhere very well.
     100_7004
    Plan b – I had to used painter’s tape and paper to protect my paint job. I sprayed the adhesive onto the wood and onto the wallpaper. The directions say to do this for an extra strong bond, but I didn’t know I needed an extra strong bond.
     100_7006
    Now this is where I go with idea #2 from above. (raise the middle piece so it can be a desk in it’s new life) To do this, I added a cleat on each side (inside) of the outer pieces. This cleat will help support the middle desk section.
     100_7007
    In this picture you can see that the middle piece fits snuggly on top of the cleat.
     100_7008
    voila! ain’t she purty?
     100_7011
     100_7012
    Testing out the cute little ornate decorative piece. It rises too much on each end. I’ll take care of that with my saw.
     100_7016
    Another view of how the middle pieces fits against the side. I slid the back cross brace back into place.
     100_7017
     100_7018
     100_7020
    One more view of the cleat. The side was very thin lauan, but there were thicker “brace” boards on the inside that I screwed to.
     waterfall vanity after
     100_7046
    The paint made the wallpaper bubble a little, but that’s okay!
     100_7047
    Here you can see the cross brace in the back. See all those hammer dings? They are NOT from me. If you look under the middle piece you can see that I added an “L” bracket to strengthen the hold of the middle piece to the end piece. I don’t usually paint the back of desks, but it was pretty outside, and the paint was free, so why  not? I still need to do a second coat.
     100_7049
    I painted this piece with a free quart of Glidden paint. Black onyx.
     100_7050
    Please ignore the mess in the background. (stuff that I couldn’t get back into the shed)
     100_7051
     100_7053
     100_7055
    The top of all three pieces had lauan on them also. It all removed very easily. (I was extremely lucky)
     100_7057

    waterfall vanity after

    There she is in all her glory! What do you think? Did I improve it, or should I have left it as it was? I think that might be a matter of personal choice. Hopefully she’ll be off to a new home, as soon as I paint a chair to go with her. The drawers were placed in their spaces for the picture, then I removed them. The paint needs to cure for a couple of days.
    gail
    ps if you'd like to see another option to cover bad veneer, check out my brown paper bag technique.

     

    Related Content: See More Desk Projects Here

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    1. Susan

      November 15, 2013 at 7:37 am

      Hi,
      I looove what you did with the vanity. I have one that's extremely low that I got at Goodwill, and I'd love to try raising the middle like you did. What did you use to cut the sections apart? I don't want to just dive in with a big saw, lol.

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.net

        November 15, 2013 at 8:58 am

        Susan,

        I didn't use a saw, I basically attacked it with a hammer and pry bar. If you crawl underneath it, you will see that it is probably in THREE pieces, so it's just a matter of separating them. 🙂

        So, remove the drawers, raise it up on a table, lay it on it's back, and start investigating the situation. Some of the demolition will probably be done from inside the drawer area (at the top)

        good luck, have fun!
        gail

    2. Hope

      August 03, 2013 at 9:08 pm

      Just found this tutorial after buying (accidentally) a waterfall vanity that had seen better days. tonight i tore into it gently and plan to strip and re-stain from honey colored to red! may have to re-vener, but it will be worth it!

      i have the mirror that attaches, so have an extra do-da piece to play with! thank you for your tutorial!

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.net

        August 03, 2013 at 11:36 pm

        yay! sounds like you have a little bit of work ahead of your, but I think it will be worth it in the long run!

        happy you stopped by and took the time to leave a comment.

        gail

    3. Shirley

      September 05, 2011 at 7:20 pm

      I couldn't decide to leave the vanity alone or make me some much needed side tables for the bedroom. ~I don't understand why they made those so little you can't put your legs underneath, the ladies were probably smaller. (ha)~ I am using your idea TODAY to redo my vanity into a desk side tables can wait. Wish me luck with your inspiration maybe I can do it. I'll post pic's later if successful if not then I'll post pics of side tables:( . I love your blog please keep it going.

      Reply
    4. abby jenkins

      February 26, 2011 at 4:25 pm

      HOw clever! I love that you used the wallpaper on the inside, what great texture. I might just 'borrow' that wallpaper idea if you don't mind, I am making some surfaces for a cookbook that I working on and that would be A LOT easier than making tabletops! thanks

      Reply
    5. ::cottage instincts::

      April 07, 2010 at 11:56 am

      Love this Gail! What a cool idea to add the paintable wallpaper....and the black is way neato. I love your creativity!

      Reply
    6. Ericka

      April 07, 2010 at 1:49 am

      looks awesome...
      I love what you did with this!

      Reply
    7. Pam

      April 06, 2010 at 7:03 pm

      I love the natural wood on older items but if its just in really bad shape...then paint! Looks great.

      Reply
    8. Dianna@decormadesimple

      April 06, 2010 at 4:57 pm

      Great way to add texture by using wall paper. Great results.

      Reply
    9. Nicole@CraftySisters-nc

      April 06, 2010 at 2:13 pm

      Holy Smokes Gail! It looks Fabulous! I actually just saw a desk just like this in our thrift store here but they wanted a whopping $45 for it and I just couldn't do it for that. There have been several days I have wanted to go back and talk the manager down. After seeing your transformation, I might just have to. You do such amazing things! Love it!
      :)Nicole

      Reply
    10. Mary Beth @ Live. Laugh. Make Something

      April 05, 2010 at 7:01 pm

      absolutely beautiful! What a project you undertook! ...and you did such a great job! I hopped over from Cottage Instincts and am so happy that I did. Please accept my invitation to drop in at my place one day this week when you get a moment. I have become a follower and hope that you will do the same. until later...

      Reply
    11. Miss Mustard Seed

      April 05, 2010 at 2:18 am

      Wow! This piece really took you through the wringer. I love how you solved problems and made it work. It looks really good. Nice work!

      Reply
    12. Dragonfly Treasure

      April 05, 2010 at 12:30 am

      What an awesome vision you had. Looks amazing!
      *hugs*deb

      Reply
    13. Wendy

      April 05, 2010 at 12:27 am

      Wow! I was glued to this post reading each step...excited to see how it turned out! What a great transformation! I am also loving all those windows in the background of the one picture!
      Wendy

      Reply
    14. One Cheap B*tch

      April 05, 2010 at 12:24 am

      Looks fabulous! Great makeover!

      Jeanine

      Reply
    15. One Cheap B*tch

      April 05, 2010 at 12:24 am

      Looks fabulous! Great makeover!

      Jeanine

      Reply
    16. Infarrantly Creative

      April 04, 2010 at 3:32 am

      Great job Gail. I love how it turned out. You keeping it or selling it? Gorgeous.

      Reply
    17. Kendra Joyner

      April 03, 2010 at 10:52 pm

      This was a cool way to add texture!! Looks great!!

      Reply
    18. Coleen's Corner

      April 03, 2010 at 12:53 pm

      Do I like it better than the original design? Oh my yes! You did a fantastic job! Thank you for the nice tutorial as well.

      Reply
    19. Funky Junk Interiors

      April 03, 2010 at 6:06 am

      What a beauty!!! Oh goodness, that piece has nice lines.

      And for the life of me, I couldn't spot a mess anywhere. Looked like good loot to me. 🙂

      Thanks for linking up to SNS!
      FJ Donna

      Reply
    20. Hopemore Studio

      April 03, 2010 at 1:10 am

      Given the state of the original piece I think you gave it a whole new life. The antique styling still comes across even painted black because the lines of the piece are fantastic.

      I don't think I could paint my set black, it would be too huge a project since I have 4 pieces in the set but you opened up my mind to the possibilities.

      Have a beautiful Easter weekend,
      Angie

      Reply
    21. Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures

      April 02, 2010 at 10:48 pm

      Now I will never be able to look at a piece of furniture without wondering if it can be torn apart and made into something new. You did a great job. Good thinking on the paintable wallpaper. I have a project I have been wanting to do with the beadboard wallpaper. Just haven't had the time.

      Reply
    22. Tabitha

      April 02, 2010 at 4:40 pm

      My daughter has a similar vanity with similar problems that we've been trying to think of ways to fix. Thanks for the inspiration--your redo is gorgeous!

      Reply
    23. slommler

      April 02, 2010 at 9:23 am

      Fabulous!!! Awesome makeover!! Well done!
      Hugs
      SueAnn

      Reply
    24. ~ Regan

      April 02, 2010 at 4:17 am

      Great job!! I alway thought I didn't like the waterfall collection... Until I saw what could be done with it! That looks lovely, and the textured paper adds a special touch! Just wonderful....

      Reply
    25. judi

      April 02, 2010 at 3:58 am

      Gail,
      This is a fantastic makeover. Love the new look and transformation into a desk!
      judi 😉

      Reply
    26. Jess

      April 01, 2010 at 8:37 pm

      I love the way it looks. I think the black is very pretty.

      Reply
    27. Rosemarythyme

      April 01, 2010 at 5:10 pm

      You did a great job! I really like the paintable wallpaper on the sides...that's an idea I'll have to try.

      Reply
    28. Kristi

      April 01, 2010 at 4:04 pm

      Beautiful. You did a great job on this!

      Reply
    29. Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking

      April 01, 2010 at 3:15 pm

      GORGEOUS!!! LOVE it with the textured wallpaper & of course I love it black. Fab job!

      Reply
    30. Sue at Serendipity

      April 01, 2010 at 2:56 pm

      Great redo and I never thought to lift the center section! When we use textured wallpaper, we just wet it and use its own adhesive for applying it. Very few bubbles when you paint it after that. But the downside is you have to wait for it to dry to paint.

      We have a very similar vanity in the basement of our shop to redo and we just have to try this "lift" technique! Thank you for the info!

      Reply
    31. Jennifer@3sonsandadaughter

      April 01, 2010 at 2:41 pm

      WOW! What a great transformation! I love it...

      Jennifer

      Reply
    32. Kathy

      April 01, 2010 at 1:58 pm

      Oh yes, much better. Like Shannon, I have found it VERY difficult to get my legs under those vanaties.
      I like the little added do dah on the back. I need one for the back of my bathroom vanity that I made from an old oak dresser - got any more ya wanna rehome?
      I used the textured wall paper on a bookcase redo I did for a coworkers office. Same problem with bubbles when I used brush on paint, but spray paint worked very well.

      Reply
    33. Shannon

      April 01, 2010 at 1:39 pm

      Although I think those vanities are cute, I agree... where do your legs go?

      Not that I didn't expect something great, but this turned out great! It is such a cute little desk!

      (I couldn't help but notice the windows in the background.. my mom has been collecting them for her greenhouse lately... but, I've seen really cool coffee tables made from them. I'm sure you don't need any ideas 🙂 But, those tables are SO neat!)

      Reply
    34. Sheri

      April 01, 2010 at 1:10 pm

      Wow! That looks wonderful!

      Reply
    35. Marianne@Songbird

      April 01, 2010 at 11:02 am

      Wow, you did a true transformation on this one. I think it is a huge improvement.

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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