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The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

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Eloise

September 7, 2010 by Bethany Sy

It’s true, we named the vanity Eloise. And this girl is finally finished. Enjoy the progress photos!

This is the actual picture on the craigslist posting where we found the vanity. A little rough, yes… but with obvious potential.

Then we sanded her down real good.

And slapped on a coat of primer.

After removing the mirrors for ease of painting, we found an old picture of a couple and a piece of mail dated 1974!! They had fallen down behind the mirror decades ago! I love little glimpses of the past. I want to know the full story of this cute couple!! JACKPOT if you ask me!

We added our own stamp of history. That way, 50 years down the road, when someone is stripping off the paint and cursing the person who would PAINT such a lovely piece, they can know us by name.

We gave her a fresh coat of Krylon’s ‘Blue Ocean Breeze,’ and my favorite part comes next… glazing! Full GLAZING tutorial HERE! And you can purchase the technique glaze here.

What do you think? An improvement? Yes? There are TONS of pictures below… mostly because Eloise just has so many great details! I didn’t want to miss any! Enjoy…





 

I love it so much! Be sure to check out our other Furniture Transformations and Refinishing Techniques!

Excellent Resource for Furniture Painting Tips and Ideas! {Sawdust and Embryos}

*this post contains affiliate links

Related:

  • Stripping an Old Stained Desk

    We love the original wood of our library, and wanted to find a desk that…

About Bethany Sy

Nick and Bethany Sy are the creative free-spirits behind DIY/Lifestyle blog, Reality Daydream. They recently purchased a historic mansion and have been documenting the ups and downs of renovation and making this home their own... all while sharing tips and tutorials along the way! When they found themselves in the trenches of infertility, they started a journey that would prove to be their most important DIY project ever, and have 3 beautiful girls to show for it. <3

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Comments

  1. 53

    Lucy says

    May 6, 2022 at 11:57 am

    beautiful work I have one that I want to restore I will use everything you did to see how it fits me. one question did you change the mirror or did you use something to renew it please let me know

    Reply
  2. 54

    Steffi helmich says

    September 22, 2020 at 5:33 pm

    It‘s a dream

    Reply
  3. 55

    Janice davis says

    April 1, 2020 at 3:53 am

    I have that exact same dresser. The silvering on the mirror is chipping and has little black spots. How can I fix it? Also can you show us the room the dresser is in, so we can see the setting it needs to be in? Thanks!

    Reply
    • 56

      Bethany Sy says

      April 9, 2020 at 1:04 pm

      Sorry, we sold this vanity years ago.

      Reply
    • 57

      Patti m says

      December 16, 2020 at 1:38 pm

      You could gert a glass company to replace the mirror. Resilvering might be hard to find someone to do that.

      Reply
  4. 58

    Diane says

    October 18, 2019 at 2:50 am

    Can you use a polyacrylic over a glaze to protect the furniture? I have heard that you cannot.

    Reply
    • 59

      Bethany Sy says

      October 21, 2019 at 12:47 pm

      You TOTALLY can.

      Reply
  5. 60

    Dwight says

    January 8, 2018 at 7:36 am

    Hi I have an old piece of furniture maybe 50 years old or older are you interested in purchasing it it’s a vanity it has beautiful mirrors also Wheels on the legs need TLC that you can provide

    Reply
  6. 61

    Brandi says

    December 15, 2016 at 2:04 pm

    While I think you have done an beautiful job on this project, I’m afraid I would be the couple 50 years from now; I would prefer to see the piece brought back to it’s original grandeur.

    Reply
    • 62

      Fiona says

      February 13, 2024 at 3:08 am

      Absolutely agree. When I saw the original, I was thinking “Please don’t paint it” .
      I was hoping you’d just refinish it with some stain.
      Fortunately the days of painting beautiful antiques are coming to an end.

      Reply
  7. 63

    Lindsey says

    April 30, 2015 at 10:28 pm

    I’m just wondering how you went about sanding this? How did you sand all the ornamental pieces/ curves, etc? I have a painted piece that I am sanding down and want to stain the natural wood, but I’m finding it difficult if not impossible to sand in all the ornamental grooves without messing up the piece :(.. any advice would be appreciated!

    Reply
    • 64

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      May 1, 2015 at 9:41 am

      Hey Lindsey! Since we were painting (opposed to staining), it wasn’t necessary to sand through the existing finish. We just sanded it enough to rough it up so the primer would have something to stick to. If you’re refinishing a piece to stain it, you’ll want to use stripper to get in the cracks and crevices. We have a tutorial for that too! (stripping is a pain in the A though, just warning you!)
      https://realitydaydream.com/2013/08/we-stripped-our-front-door-tutorial-on.html

      Reply
  8. 65

    Suzanne says

    April 14, 2015 at 12:30 am

    I love that you didn’t go all Annie Sloan chalk paint on this. It seems that is all we see nowadays. I like the different applications that make the details popl As usual, awesome paint tutorial.

    Reply
    • 66

      Silver Quill Creative Group says

      June 19, 2015 at 8:38 pm

      Awesome! My sister Val in Lethbridge, Alberta just told me about your site and this dresser which in my opinion, is a work of art!! Thanks for NOT doing the chalk paint thing which is getting really tiresome!

      Reply
      • 67

        Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

        June 20, 2015 at 6:33 pm

        You’re super sweet! This is still one of our favorite furniture transformations to date. 😉

        Reply
  9. 68

    PreshesM says

    March 30, 2015 at 5:30 am

    I NEVER leave comments, however:
    1. I’ve just found your site, and have been unable to pry myself away for over an hour now.
    2. You’re a creative genius! I love that the projects are simple enough for the average Jane to conquer, and the finished products change the entire feel of the space, and or piece.
    3. Now I have these awesome budget friendly guides to finally break up the monotony of our completely neutral, bare walled house.
    4.The mirror photo. Your wide eyed silly face made me laugh. 🙂
    Just awesomeness everywhere.

    Reply
    • 69

      Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      March 30, 2015 at 10:28 am

      You are SO SWEET! Thanks for taking the time to leave such a nice comment! 🙂

      Reply
  10. 70

    Linda says

    August 14, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    Wow, the pictures are absolutely beautiful. I would’ve loved to have details about how you applied the glazed and wiped it off, etc. When I’ve applied glaze, my piece always looks dirty. Yours is absolutely gorgeous.

    Reply
    • 71

      Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      March 30, 2015 at 10:30 am

      Linda… I just realized I never responded to your comment. I’m so sorry! When you’re glazing, the outcome depends a lot on the sheen of the paint you’re glazing on top of. If it’s a flat or eggshell paint, your piece will end up looking a lot ‘dirtier’. If you have a glossy piece, you’re able to wipe ALL the glaze away… just leaving it in the cracks. Depending on the piece, we like both looks. It’s just really up to your personal preference. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  11. 72

    Ebony says

    March 22, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    Wow….. Dope! It’s just D-O-P-E! Beth, Ms. Lady- you are the Bomb.com!!!!
    If you ever get tired of Ms. Eloise (like that’ll happen) PLEASE send her my way! 🙂
    Keep up the fly work!

    Reply
  12. 73

    Ebony says

    March 22, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    Ooh… Dope! It’s just DOPE! Beth, Ms. Lady- you are the Bomb.com!
    If you ever get tired of Ms. Eloise (right, NOT!) PLEASE send her my way! 🙂

    Reply
  13. 74

    Massy says

    March 17, 2014 at 8:26 pm

    I am working on a project like Eloise, but it has three coats of previous paint should I strip the paint in sand it or just sand it? And how do you stand in the nooks and crannies? I’m having a real hard time, I started on one of the 2 nightstands and I have a lot of tiny pieces and CRUSTY stuff in the corners. Please help 🙁

    Massy

    Reply
    • 75

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      March 17, 2014 at 8:38 pm

      Massy, if you’re just wanting to paint it, don’t worry about stripping anything. Just sand everything down slightly so it takes the ‘sheen’ of the previous paint, and then prime and paint! Simple! Please send pics when you’re done!

      Reply
      • 76

        Massy says

        March 18, 2014 at 12:56 pm

        I cant attach pictures here 🙁 Where can I email them to you?

        Reply
        • 77

          Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

          March 18, 2014 at 12:57 pm

          You can email us at sawdustandembryos@gmail.com

          Reply
  14. 78

    vivi says

    November 5, 2013 at 8:04 am

    gracias por compartir su lindo trabajo esta muy lindo ,,felicidades vivi

    Reply
  15. 79

    JASIVE says

    September 25, 2013 at 1:17 am

    IM SPEECHLESS !! I TOTALLY LOVE YOUR SITE AND IVE ONLY SEEN 2 PIECES SO FAR. THE BUFFET ( WHICH I FELL IN LOVE WITH & THE COLOR ) AND THIS VANITY. I AM DEFFINATLY GONNA TRY THIS. ITL BE MY FIRST TIME BUT AFTER SEEING WHAT YOUR PIECES LOOK LIKE BEFORE/AFTER…YEAH IM DEFF TRYING. KEEP UP THE AWESOME JOB NICK & BETH !!

    Reply
  16. 80

    melanie says

    March 2, 2013 at 6:55 pm

    wowwwww!!! you have such incredible furniture finds! crushing over your love of color!!

    Reply
  17. 81

    Bethany says

    September 15, 2012 at 5:18 pm

    Hi Shanna! We just used a black/gray glaze on this piece.

    Reply
  18. 82

    Shanna Gilbert says

    September 15, 2012 at 5:04 pm

    I love this piece! Great job! I was also wondering what color of glaze you used?

    http://restorationredoux.blogspot.com

    Reply
  19. 83

    mich says

    March 5, 2012 at 11:47 pm

    Ilove this piece. It turned out so awesome. The detailwith how the wood swirls and the glaze picks up on them so nicely. You have a great eye for redoing furniture. So enjoy looking thru your pieces that you have brought back to life. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  20. 84

    SAVE4242 says

    January 26, 2012 at 6:04 pm

    I found one just like this last night at my local thrift shop! I am inspired to try doing this technique and doing it bold like you have! I would have never thought of blue, but it is so perfect.

    Reply
  21. 85

    Anna See says

    September 29, 2010 at 2:45 pm

    Super fun! Do you tint your own glaze by adding paint to plain glaze?

    Reply
  22. 86

    Beckie says

    September 29, 2010 at 6:02 am

    I rarely make comments but I have to tell you the transformation is absolutely gorgeous!!!
    GREAT job!

    Reply
  23. 87

    Anna says

    September 29, 2010 at 4:08 am

    Wow, congratulations for seeing such potential! I absolutely LOVE the result! Gorgeous!

    Anna(via BetterAfter)

    Reply
  24. 88

    Katie says

    September 29, 2010 at 1:36 am

    Visiting from Better After, and that dresser is jaw dropping!! Absolutely amazing!

    Reply
  25. 89

    Nita {ModVintageLife} says

    September 29, 2010 at 1:27 am

    Oh…my…it’s so pretty! I came over from Better After. It truly is a thing a beauty.

    Reply
  26. 90

    Anonymous says

    September 21, 2010 at 12:43 pm

    I wish I had the money I would totally buy this – it is gorgeous!

    Reply
  27. 91

    Lovely says

    September 18, 2010 at 4:13 pm

    Want! The mirrors, the carved details – it’s lacy furniture!

    Reply
  28. 92

    simpledaisy says

    September 16, 2010 at 11:28 am

    Love…Love…Love it:)

    Reply
  29. 93

    Jodi says

    September 14, 2010 at 12:36 am

    Can you share what glaze you used? I see that it’s RL but what shade is it? I lurv it

    Reply
  30. 94

    Chas says

    September 12, 2010 at 1:37 am

    A beatiful find!

    Chas @ A Woman’s Haven

    http://onewomenshaven.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  31. 95

    Mandi says

    September 11, 2010 at 3:46 pm

    I am so JEALOUS! This is such a crazy awesome piece of furniture!!! Great job!

    love your guts
    mandi

    Reply
  32. 96

    oops! says

    September 11, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    I love everything about it! From the beautiful detail, the color, the glaze! Thanks for sharing how you did it too!

    Reply
  33. 97

    Anonymous says

    September 11, 2010 at 2:19 am

    Oh wow, what a beauty!! That’s what I call a major craigslist score! And you did a wonderful job refinishing it. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it for years to come.

    Reply
  34. 98

    The Keele's says

    September 10, 2010 at 11:29 pm

    WoW! Saw you over on All Things Thrifty and what a beautiful peice!!!

    Reply
  35. 99

    Kacey says

    September 10, 2010 at 8:57 pm

    Gorgeous! What an incredible piece. I just love how it turned out!!!

    Reply
  36. 100

    Heather P. says

    September 10, 2010 at 8:31 pm

    Wowzers, what a GORGEOUS transformation!

    Reply
  37. 101

    amber says

    September 10, 2010 at 8:06 pm

    This piece is gorgeous! You did an awesome job. And how cool to find that photo…i love stories like that. It would be interesting to find out who they are 🙂

    Reply
  38. 102

    Sharon says

    September 10, 2010 at 7:52 pm

    So…lucky…I am totally jealous!! You did a great job. Awesome color choice! Just found your blog and am looking forward to following you and seeing many more great finds like this one!

    Sharon

    Reply
  39. 103

    Sheila says

    September 10, 2010 at 7:19 pm

    WOW….I would love to have her in my house! You guys did an awesome job and should be proud!

    Reply
  40. 104

    Rachel Gardner says

    September 7, 2010 at 5:57 pm

    She looks amazing!!!!! it’s a great piece…love the fact that you found some history tucked inside…you should track them down and get their story! i was wondering, do you still have that vanity you used to have? that would make a great project too if you haven’t redone it already!

    Reply
  41. 105

    Karen says

    September 7, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    Looks good! I’ve never glazed before. I should really give it a try sometime.

    Reply
  42. 106

    Mom says

    September 7, 2010 at 2:07 pm

    Gorgeous!

    Reply

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We are Nick and Bethany! Welcome to our blog, Reality Daydream where we share our DIY adventures!
Click here for lots of art projects using only wood stain on furniture!!
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