Mermaid Bathroom Vanity: Part One

I knew I wanted to make my own vanity for the bathroom in my cottage. I started with this beautiful(?) piece that I got with the mantle set. The carved details are lovely, and the lion feet are fun, but like the rest of the set, it had some dings and wasn’t in great shape. I’m not sure what it was originally. It doesn’t fit the definitions I’ve read of dressers (short, with wide, deep drawers, yes, but I don’t think there was ever a mirror attached). Nor is it quite like a chest of drawers (tall and narrow). I think it sat under the smaller of the two armoires in the set, so I don’t know what that makes it officially, but whatever it was, it is about to change.

The original architect’s plans for my cottage said that there was room for a 54″ vanity. This piece was 52″ wide, so I thought it was perfect. But apparently, when they customized the plans for me, they only changed the floor and not the foundation, because when they went to frame the house, nothing matched. The upside was, my bathroom is seven inches narrower than anticipated, and we had to rethink the vanity. Luckily, I know some handy guys. My awesome dad and fabulous uncle cut the vanity apart, removed all the drawers and supports (it did come with all six drawers, I just didn’t get a picture) and put it back together so that it was narrow enough for my space.

They added a flat board for the bottom, and now it’s looking better.

I covered the board with paintable wallpaper, and added a line of clay beading at the edge. I also filled in the cracks from where it was cut apart and put back together.

The whole piece got a coat of aqua blue paint, inside and out. This color is Tropical Cocktail by Country Chic Paint. The inside is going to stay aqua, so it got sealed with my favorite water based sealer. [NOTE: I’m not in any affiliate programs. I don’t get paid to tell you which products I used. I just share what worked for me, and include links to make them easier to find.]

Now it’s starting to get fun! I’m going for rich, green, watery feel for this piece. I added some darker blue-green (discontinued) in patches across the outside.

Next I pounced (using one of these pouncers) some Royal Stencil Creme in Smoked Oyster over all the carvings to highlight them.

Next I added a rich, malachite green paint (discontinued) and wiped it back with a damp cloth over the carvings.

I dabbed on a black gel glaze and wiped off most of it with a damp towel.

After it dried, I did the same with a jade gel glaze.

I like how all the layers come together to give an aged effect.

I used two coats of the same sealer, being careful to get it into all the nooks and crannies. The left half below has been sealed and the right half hasn’t. See how it gives the paint a subtle sheen and adds to the watery effect?

This vanity is now painted to match my mermaid bathroom. Another unique piece of furniture which I created myself (with a little help from my family).