The Vintage White Wash Stand Hunt

I spied this beauty on Layla & Kevin’s blog – http://www.theletteredcottage.com/  and it was love at first sight! 

A wash stand..that should be easy to find right?…..well this is where the story begins……

first step -- what did I love about this wash stand?

1. Squared off look
2. Square trim on the cabinet doors
3. A few inch opening from the base of the stand to the floor(easier to clean under)
4. Desktop overlay-squared off…

I started the hunt in Illinois a few months back…..no luck at local shops-but not to worry I knew I Texas bound for Round Top Texas Antique Week----as a VIB- Very Important Blogger…how cool is that??http://midwestcottageandfinds.blogspot.com/2011/04/round-top-texas-marburger-farm.html

Stopped at several shops between here and Texas….found a few  contenders…Each one had a couple of my wants—but none were a complete package…..

So the hunt continued…..from Waco, Texas  to Round Top and then to Warrenton….and then …..we spied her….in a small vendors tent in Warrenton, Texas….she was PERFECT and I was thrilled—I could not believe it—I truly had been looking for this for 4 months and found it in a little tent off the side of the road in Warrenton….what are the chances??? I felt like I hit the lottery……

Loaded her (and lots of other goodies up) and headed home…. to begin the make-over….

Welcome Home and let’s get started……

First let’s fix the little hiccups…Gorilla Glue and clamps…if that can’t fix it-it’s not fixable!! Love the dovetail drawers —it was just a little loose making the drawer difficult to close……Once the glue is dry sand off the excess—I like to leave the clamp on for 2 days to ensure a good hold…..

Next up -- the rest of the team…Sanding – I have learned that different grit textures and different contours of the sanding block can make the job go a little  a lot easier….150-grit for smoothing, 100 for leveling and 80 for defect removal—and one tip—3M Sand Blocks are color coded-so you can tell what you are grabbing for in a glance and if you do your makeovers after working all day like me—any help is appreciated!!

I like to use this style/shape on corners and trim….the angle helps so much!

To get areas that are easily accessible I use a typical square block—that has a little wear to see how deep it will go before moving to the tougher – rough—sanding block..you can always go back and sand more…..
 
On this piece I did 2 coats of paint—-
American Accents-Heirloom White---

with my best buddy—Mr. Purdy…..and let it dry overnight between coats--

and then sanded with a block  to get this look….I knew I was going to try a glaze so I roughed up the wood, removed the paint- and pulled out the glaze…..


I used a brush to apply the glaze and then wiped it off with a rag-this glaze was tinted to a very light brown-tea color—to copy a Ralph Lauren color that Home Depot USED to carry—the associate can look up the formula to replicate the color….play with the glaze…it can change the color of your paint a bit and really adds depth to the areas you have sanded……Here is the formula if you would like to try this color…
 
Then I painted over the entire wash stand again (we are at 3 coats now)….I really like the look the paint OVER the glazed area created….The great thing about glaze, sanding and painting….there is no right or wrong…just personal preferences…Once I was comfy with the color and glaze I let it sit for a couple days—gave a light sanding once again—dusted it off with a nice cotton rag and put on the Valspar Clear Protector—I lightly sanded it once it was dry—and really liked the texture and look…but…..next I want to try a finishing wax on my next piece…need to research those a bit….and will let you know which I prefer….

One suggestion-keep notes on your process —you will be surprised how easily  you forget how many coats of paint, when you sanded or how many coats of  glaze you have used..or maybe that is just me!!
Supplies:

• Sand Paper or Sand Blocks - different grit #'s & types--I use several
• Gorilla Glue--A MUST - take the time to glue loose joints, seams, legs, backs of furniture- it will pay off  with the finished product. I have used a lot of different products..Gorilla Glue goes on easy, drys well and HOLDS pieces together and overrun drips sand off easily....
• Clamps - a collection of different sizes will benefit you greatly
• Paint - your choice - as you complete different projects you will get a feel for likes and dislikes
• Paint Brush--My top 3 choices 1. PURDY 2. PURDY 3. PURDY Your project truly is only as good as your brush...treat  your Purdy's well by cleaning them afterwards and it last you for LONG time.
• Glaze or Stain - Like paint you will find what works best for you--I have detailed info on what I used above--and I LOVE the way it turned out....has a great aged, vintage look and I will have A LOT of it for a long time.....
• Protector or Clear Cover - I love the one I used above and will continue to try different options and report back..next project I am using a wax and will do a point by point comparison..

So…..I went from a picture that I carried with me in my wallet for 4 months…

to the find..

to the finished product…..


and now I am smilin’ ……..and off to the next project!!
Chris
I am linking up with the following parties-and you should also!
http://www.504main.com/2011/04/diy-me-celebration-link-up-at-white.html

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2011/04/upkeep-and-wow-us-wednesdays-12.html




http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/04/vintage-inspiration-friday-35-british.html

http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.com/

http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/2011/05/catch-as-catch-can-27-plus-sodderbug.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FPgMj+%28My+Repurposed+Life%29

http://thediyclub.com/2011/05/may-2011-diy-project-party-monthly-contest/