The pink washstand

I am excited to finally be showing some photos of the antique washstand that I painted for my daughter! 

If you remember, the girl’s room was the worst room in the house. Mostly because they are crammed in there like sardines. I added an armoire, computer desk, painted and a few other things last summer but never got around to showing the room because it was never really finished. I started to strip this washstand because I wanted to refinish it in natural wood. 

However, the wood was not that great and it didn’t all match. There was veneer on the drawers, but the door was oak and not great.  So I just left it alone trying to figure out what to do.

I really did love all these old colors that I found underneath the white. There was a blue/green and a peach/pink color–all of which I have found on different pieces of wood from the old house. Apparently those were big colors in the 1930s-1940s.

I decided that I would paint it pink since that was my grandmother’s favorite color, and also my daughter, Evelyn’s. BTW…it’s pronounced the “English” way like “Eve” with a long E. She is actually named for my great grandmother, Emma Evelyn Edwards Knight.

So I went with pink and sanded it to let the old colors show through. 

Then, I added a mocha glaze, which takes forever to dry. And I went crazy with the glaze. I really wanted it to look distressed.

Glass knobs…

And Evelyn got this for Christmas. She was really excited because she kept saying I had forgotten about it and was never going to finish it.

I found my grandmother’s mirror in my parent’s basement with the same shade of green/blue, and put that above the washstand. Oddly enough, that is the way it was hanging because that’s how the hanging hardware is attached to the back. It also had to be that high so she can see into it. I found an old bottle lamp my grandmother had made and recycled that also for her. I added new electrical work, and a new shade which I added flowers and trim to.  The rug also belonged to my grandmother. 

When I originally put it in the room, the bunk beds were turned this way, but I have since moved them so the girls at least have a side to call their own! 

I realize that it would stand out so much better if the walls were not also pink, but they are so we’ll be living with it. She loves it anyway. 

Finally, I painted a piece of furniture! I know. It’s just that I grew up with white painted furniture, had white furniture all through the 1990s, and realized that I really like love beautiful wood. The darker the better. Maybe Evelyn will strip this one down to the bare wood one day. 

Anita

I’ll be joining 

Pink Saturday

Furniture Feature Friday

Metamorphosis Monday

Tabletop Tuesday

37 Comments

  1. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR
    February 11, 2012 / 3:26 am

    Anita, what a lovely transformation! It was so great to read the history behind the piece. And the lamp…what a great accent! You always have such wonderful family treasures!!

  2. Sweet Melanie
    February 11, 2012 / 3:47 am

    It's gorgeous Anita! Of course you ha dto know that I would like since my favorite color is pink!

  3. Lorraine
    February 11, 2012 / 3:50 am

    Beautiful, what a great job!! So pretty and pink for Valentine's Day! Happy Valentine Pink Saturday!! ~Lorraine ♥♥♥

  4. Barbara F.
    February 11, 2012 / 4:25 am

    Beautiful job, Anita. I love the lamp and the rug, too. Your grandmother would be very proud. xo

  5. Farah
    February 11, 2012 / 4:29 am

    It looks so lovely Anita and with a marble top you finished it with a grace… great job…
    Hope you would like to visit me at
    craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    With love
    Farah

  6. Unknown
    February 11, 2012 / 4:47 am

    I love all the colors that you found underneath and allowed to shoe thru. It's like looking at the history of the piece! Great job. XO Cindy

  7. Pam - @diy Design Fanatic
    February 11, 2012 / 6:30 am

    You did a fantastic job on your daughter's washstand. The pink looks so pretty!

  8. Unknown
    February 11, 2012 / 12:22 pm

    anita — it is a beautiful piece and you did a great job with it. Evelyn will enjoy it for years to come 🙂

    Blessings!
    Gail

  9. Debbiedoos
    February 11, 2012 / 12:46 pm

    GORGEOUS job ANita. I love love love it. CUTE lamp too. Looks very anthropology like.

  10. Leslie's Garden
    February 11, 2012 / 1:27 pm

    What a lovely surprise for your daughter! It looks wonderful, love how you distressed it. Now, all set up with it's lamp and pretty lovelies, it adds quite a nice detail to a little girls room!

  11. Sara
    February 11, 2012 / 1:47 pm

    You and I share a love for pieces that carry a family history. What great treasures you are passing along to your daughter!

  12. Ann@A Sentimental Life
    February 11, 2012 / 1:50 pm

    Oh, I love it! It turned out great, how wonderful to have your Grandmother's mirror hanging above it.

  13. Creations By Cindy
    February 11, 2012 / 2:00 pm

    Ooh, Anita, I love this piece! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

  14. Jan@southernjunkin'
    February 11, 2012 / 3:56 pm

    I know it is so hard to paint good wood! Lovely paint reclaim! Visiting from Pink Saturday…

  15. Katie@LeBeauPaonVictorien
    February 11, 2012 / 4:30 pm

    It's gorgeous!! I love the pink color!

  16. Mari
    February 11, 2012 / 6:15 pm

    Anita, it turned out beautifully, but you already know I'm a pink girls *winks*
    Wishing you a wonderful pink Saturday….

    Smiles~
    Mari

  17. 1CardCreator
    February 11, 2012 / 8:19 pm

    Love what you made, so inspiring! So glad I saw you at Beverly's Pink Saturday. ~Diane (I am #16)

  18. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting
    February 11, 2012 / 8:25 pm

    LOVE LOVE LOVE IT Anita!!

  19. RobinfromCA
    February 11, 2012 / 8:51 pm

    This is so lovely with all the colors showing through the pink and that marble top! Such a lucky little girl to have this in her room!
    Have a lovely weekend,
    Robin

  20. Country Wings in Phoenix
    February 11, 2012 / 9:37 pm

    Happy Pink Saturday Anita Sweetie…
    Oh what a treasure this finished piece is. I love the pink and then the stain made it even better than anyone could imagine. The knobs are the crowning glory. Oh how it sings with that gorgeous mirror above it. When I thought it couldn't be any better, you threw in that rug, and oh my what a magnificent setting. I love it. I imagine your sweet girl is so, SO happy as well.

    What a gorgeous share sweetie. I have so enjoyed visiting with you today. I am your newest follower and can't wait to see what you share next. What a beautiful blog home. You are extremely talented.

    Country hugs, Sherry

  21. Betty
    February 11, 2012 / 11:53 pm

    I love what you did with the washstand. It looks so pretty with all the colors coming out. My Granddaughter would love what you did too since she loves pink also.

    Thank you for the wonderful comments you left on my blog.

  22. Emelia DiCarlo
    February 12, 2012 / 2:06 am

    Anita, I just love this washstand,the top looks like white toned marble? Stunning. It belongs in a girls room!This piece will go with your daughter as she grows up. The mirror, flower lamp and wonderful rug are perfect compliments. You should be proud of the results.You always honor and respect your family in such beautiful loving ways. My grandmother left me 2 marble topped bedroom pieces, I use one as a buffet(store extra linens, etc.,)in our family room. Your furniture restoration skills are amazing. Wish we lived closer! Thank you for sharing and a Happy valentine's Day to you:)

  23. Jemsmom
    February 12, 2012 / 5:36 am

    That is one of the prettiest painted pieces of furniture that I have seen in blogland. It is girly but not over the top! You did a fantastic job!

  24. Unknown
    February 12, 2012 / 7:23 pm

    Beautiful Job! I LOVE it. Visiting from Pink Saturday. This beauty should be featured!

  25. Michele
    February 12, 2012 / 8:10 pm

    Oh! You did an amazing job with this – oh my goodness I just love it!

    Btw – my daughter's name is Evelyn too! And she married a British boy and his entire family pronounces her name with a long E as well. ; – )

    We don't though, we call her Evie (with a short E sound) most of the time, though she is a grown woman now and has probably outgrown it, but oh well, nicknames stick!

    Love love love this post. I agree with Jemsmom -one of the very best pieces in Blogland!

  26. Unknown
    February 12, 2012 / 9:15 pm

    Hi Anita! Haven't heard from you in a while. So glad you stopped by for Pink Sat. Hope to see you soon.

  27. The Tablescaper
    February 13, 2012 / 12:41 am

    What an amazing job.

    – The Tablescaper

  28. Anonymous
    February 13, 2012 / 3:02 am

    Oh my gosh, I'm in such awe of you! I just don't have the guts to try this sort of undertaking. You did a beautiful job.

  29. Unknown
    February 13, 2012 / 3:05 am

    Hi Anita, Thank you for your kind comments on my Kitchen post. It really means a lot to me! Happy Sunday! XO Cindy

  30. Kelly
    February 13, 2012 / 2:18 pm

    I just love how it turned out! It's so shabby chic. The color pink is so antique looking, so it really looks vintage. Love the marble top on it and the crystal looking knobs. So sweet!

  31. Sonia
    February 13, 2012 / 3:58 pm

    Beautiful piece! I love the pink and all the distressing. The glass knobs are perfect!
    Miss Bloomers

  32. Unknown
    February 13, 2012 / 4:02 pm

    o soooo cute ~ first time visiting ;your blog ill def be back! the washstand turn ou soooo cute ~ love the lamp too!

  33. Rosemary@villabarnes
    February 13, 2012 / 9:20 pm

    Love that shade of pink. It's beautiful.

  34. Olive
    February 13, 2012 / 9:24 pm

    You did a great thing putting it in pink and then glazing it. Beautiful truly♥♥♥

  35. chateau chic
    February 13, 2012 / 10:06 pm

    The little washstand is soooo cute!! I love the wonderful old colors showing through.
    Mary Alice

  36. Rhonda
    February 17, 2012 / 2:29 am

    You did a great job!! I love the shade of pink you used!

    ~~~rhonda~~~

  37. ~ Lisa ~
    October 1, 2012 / 2:21 pm

    I am home sick today. Although, I feel well enough to surf through your blog. (shhh). I am enjoying reading older posts and catching up. I cannot wait for your online shop to open to us.

    Loving your style…and especially, the love that you seem to put into everything you do.

    ~ Lisa from Indiana ~