Petal + Ply

formerly Dear Emmeline

Bulk Trash Rescue {Paris Gray Vanity}

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This project starts off with a story.  An illustration of how life can be crazy and unpredictable and how God works in mysterious ways.  This vanity and the matching double bed shouldn’t have been ours. They wouldn’t have been ours if our friend’s car hadn’t caught on fire on the way to a youth event. 

Let me explain.  My husband and I work with the high school youth group at our church.  My good friend Linsey works with the middle school youth.  We planned a joint event to the local pumpkin patch to try our hand at the corn maze and other activities.  On the way to the event I get a call.  “Hey Jess,  I’m not sure if I’m going to make it on time to the event.  My car’s on fire”.  Well turns out Linsey was only minutes from the patch and we were only minutes from her, so we headed over waited for her husband and kids to arrive so he could figure out what to do with the car, loaded Linsey and all the food for the event in to the back of our van, and went on our way. 

After the event Linsey who was still carless needed a ride home.  That would be us.  Upon arriving in their neighborhood around 10:00 at night we notice junk piled up on the corners.  Score!  Bulk trash.  After Linsey was safe inside her house we started driving up and down their neighborhood’s streets.  Street #3.  There she sits.  An antique vanity and her sister (a matching double bed with curved footboard)!!!  You have got to be kidding me!  Who throws this stuff out?  Yes she wasn’t perfect but she was still beautiful.  Only problem, both pieces weren’t going to fit in the back of our car since we didn’t empty out the carseats and kiddie paraphernalia.  There was no way I was leaving one of them behind!  So we called Linsey back up and ask if they would mind stuffing one of the pieces in their van until the next day.  Obviously they did because we cam home with the most lovely trash I have ever seen.

To make the haul even better a piece that we thought was missing and 7 out of 8 original casters were in the drawers of the vanity.  My husband and I just laughed.  It’s still hard to believe.

After locating the piece of trim that was missing below one of the mirror wings we set it and the mirror back in place and secured with a few wood screws.  Then we applied two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Gray.  I finished the piece by using a paintbrush to apply gold Rub’n Buff on the wood details and then distressing with a sanding sponge.  I retouched some places where too much of the gold came off and sealed the entire piece with clear wax.  I can’t even believe this piece was on the way to the burn pile.  So glad we had an excuse to be there to save her that night.

Have you ever had any incredible roadside finds?  Do share!  We all love a good rescue story!

Shared with:


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Comments

  1. That's awesome! I be thrilled to find such a great curbside find. You must have been so excited! 🙂 You did a fabulous job with this piece. I love the color. Thanks for sharing.

  4. Just lovely! You were so lucky to find the matching bed, too. I just found a similar vanity, made by Gibbard, on the side of the road. Some people are crazy with the things they throw away.

  9. Years ago, when I was very young and away from home for almost the first time, I had a room in an old folks home (don't even ask!) which was furnished with a whole set of furniture which looked like this. I bought a couple of antiquing kits (that's what they used to called them!) and painted it. The dressser looked pretty much like yours. I loved it and have wanted another ever since. The owner nearly had a duck fit — no I didn't ask her permission! Oh well — thanks for the memory! You did a great job on this piece.

  18. My daughter has always wanted a vanity like this! You did a wonderful job refinishing it. It's gorgeous. These are definitely my favorite types of makeovers…when you find something discarded and make it BETTER than new.

  19. I love the way the vanity turned out!!! You did a great job! I just love working with Annie Sloan paint. You can use it on so many different types of finishes. It is so easy to work with and you can change the look with just adding dark wax or dry brushing or sanding, etc. It is so much fun isn't it?

  20. You gotta be kidding me. Someone threw that out? Are they nuts? So glad you saw it and rescued it. What a beauty! Great job. I found a solid wood sofa table recently by a dumpster. Great lines and all it needed was to have the joints tightened and a new paint job. Score! Love those kind of finds.

  25. Good gravy! THat is an amazing find!!! I am jealous!! You did a beautiful job – love all the gold accents – so stunning!
    Please come by to link this up – it is too awesome not to share!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

  27. My brakes would be screeching also for this
    find.. in fact I'd post a guard and go rent
    a truck if it did not fit in my car….
    Beautiful job with the refinish..
    Happy Thanksgiving
    Sandy

  37. You did an amazing job on the vanity! The gold was inspired. Like jewelry to make her more beautiful. We found you at Beyond the Picket Fence and we are your newest members. Can't wait to explore your site.
    We would love it if you would visit us and join as well.
    Linda (and Jeannie) The French Hen's Nest

  38. Fantastic find! I love what you did with it. I would have never thought of the gold accent, but it looks wonderful. Hope you find some more treasures soon!

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