|

An English Dressing Table Named Gemma

Meet Gemma!

Painted English Antique Vanity

Before I start sharing this before and after let me just tell you how much I wished for one of these when I was little.  I wanted a one in the worst way.  I imagined sitting at a little dressing table just like this English antique  – writing poetry in my journal, applying make up and dressing up.  I was always putting on shows at the house when I was little because I had wanted to be an actress.

Well, I never got that little dressing table, BUT if I had I would have wanted it to look just like this one!  This is how the dressing table looked when I got it:

English Vanity Before

Luke is holding it together because it was in pieces.

2015-03-11 12.08.48

Here it is in my basement in pieces.  I have known all along that I wanted to paint this in Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint and I knew I wanted it to be chippy!  You all know I like that look 😉

I sanded the entire piece down and mixed up some MMS Milk Paint in Dried Lavender (without bonding agent).  This is a smoky, gray lavender.  It is definitely not purple per se.

2015-03-11 11.47.41-1

I did two coats in Dried Lavender.  Then I mixed up Ironstone.  I dry brushed the Ironstone on as I wanted it to look like layers of paint.

The piece really peeled and flaked in some areas. Like the back leg.  Not really sure why.

Chippy Paint on Dressing Table Leg

I took a paint scrapper and scraped all the peeling paint.  Then I used fine grit sandpaper and sanded all over.  I vaccuumed and wiped the piece down.

Close Up Beatrix Pottery Books and Journal

This piece is super smooth which might be a surprise because it looks so chippy.

I sealed the entire piece with two coats of Tough Coat.  I first learned about his product on Miss Mustard Seed’s website here.  I am amazed at how it seals in the chippy paint and is non yellowing.  I would advise using a foam applicator.  I used a brush and after I washed with soap and water it was hard as a rock (live and learn!).

I’ve decorated this piece with bits and bobs from my childhood -sea shells, my grandmothers make up tin and even my bunny!

English Dressing Table in sunshine

I wanted to give the feeling of a girl’s bedroom:

Memories of Childhood

Antique English Chair

The chair is also an English antique and I love the patina and how it is a little wonky.

I staged this for a little girl, but it could most certainly be for a big girl too!

An English Vanity Named Gemma

The aged hardware was done with Gilder’s Paste. A new to me product that my friend Nancy at the Sea Rose Cottage recommended.  Actually, all of the products used on this piece I got from her lovely shop. You can check out her site here.

Close Up of Hardware

Ooooh, don’t you love the color of them?!?

I will definitely share how I created this look after the show!

Patina

There is so much to love about the Gemma Dressing Table –

Aged hardware:

Chippy Dried Lavender Milk Paint

The soft graceful shape of the mirror and the legs:

Chippy Vanity with Sea Fan and Shell

Layers of paint that have chipped off:

Chipping Milk Paint and Shell

Gemma will be coming to The Duxbury Show and so will this little wonky English chair.

Duxbury 2015

Hope you get a chance to stop by and visit us at Booth 12.

Sharing with:

 

French Country CottageHome Stories A2Zgiveaways CRAFTBERRYBUSHThoughts from Alice125x125

0 0 votes
Article Rating

Similar Posts

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
cassie
9 years ago

such a sweet piece- love the chippiness!

Nancy
9 years ago

Love it Danielle! A real statement piece and so artistically done. I can’t wait to see your space at the show. Please post pics! Thanks for the mention 🙂