Well, it's official, fall is here and Mother Nature is dishing out some appropriate weather.
Now, normally, I'd be kicking and screaming as summer slipped away.
However this year, when my husband closed the pool, I barely noticed.
Seriously.
You see, this year, I knew I had a very large stash of thrifty finds in need of attention waiting for me.
And trust me, I haven't wasted anytime digging into that pile.
I started with, what I think, is the most darling makeover I've ever tackled. It's literally dripping with sweetness...which is quite appropriate, since it started out as doll furniture.
Remember this?
It's an American Doll Wooden Washstand.
I picked it up for $4.99 at the thrift store in August. I honestly had no idea what I was going to do with it.
I don't have babies in the house anymore, but for some reason, I had to have it.
I was a little miffed about the price, it should've been less as it was in horrible shape. The finish was scratched.
The wood was chipped and gouged in places.
It was missing a towel bar on one side.
But, as I've said before, I'm a sucker for an underdog (like my wooden candle holder), so I bought it...
Once Mother Nature hid the sun and I was forced inside, I took it out of the bag, started to survey the damage and make a plan.
Paint is usually my go to, but I never considered painting it, the wood was lovely.
It just needed a bit of TLC.
*As an aside, I took this wooden thrift store find from trash to treasure to decorate my home, but you could totally use this process to restore wooden dollhouse furniture for your collection or little one.
First things first though, I needed to remove the dirt, so I washed it down with vinegar and water.
Then I removed the old furniture staples that formerly secured the missing towel bar.
Next, I had to do something to restore that beautiful wood finish. Since I'm a quick and easy DIY girl, sanding and staining was not even a consideration.
Instead, I grabbed my antiquing gel, like this one, and coated the entire piece.
I worked that gel into the scratched and chipped areas until they were well covered.
I thought about using walnuts again to fix the scratches, but because the whole washstand was in need of help, I decided the gel was better suited for this job.
I considered using furniture transfers, but once I started playing around with them, I realized the wash stand looked better in its natural state.
On the outside, anyway. On the inside of the drawer, I added some floral paper. I traced the drawer and cut the paper to fit.
Of course, without a knob to open the drawer, no one would ever see that pretty paper. I didn't have any cabinet hardware small enough to work, so I put on my thinking cap and raided my mother's old button jar.
The one that still holds the scent of her perfume...and makes me feel hugged every time I open it up.
As the memories spilled out into my hand, I tried not to get distracted and looked for a button that resembled a drawer pull and a back piece that would allow it to protrude enough to function well.
One that would allow me to grab it and open the drawer.
Then I added a little hot glue and tucked the wire into it.
On my grown up wooden wash stand.
Holding a hand towel and a votive candle, it looked right at home.
And unbelievably adorable.
Without a doll in sight.
🌹
Would you decorate with dollhouse furniture?
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Hey, don't run away!
Now it's time to hop on over to visit my Do It Over Designer friends.
Every other month, my good friend Ann hosts us as we show you our best upcycles and makeovers.
There's lot to see and this month we have a new blogger joining us, so check out the links below!
- Exquisitely Unremarkable- You are here!
- Little Vintage Cottage
- Modern on Monticello
- Pandora's Box
- Purple Hues & Me
- Southern Sunflowers
- Unique Creations by Anita
- Sum of Their Stories
- Color Me Thrifty
- Vintage Style Gal
- The Apple Street Cottage
- Birdz of a Feather
Happy Hopping, Friends!
This is absolutely adorable, Kim, and the button for a knob? Perfect!
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you, Ann!! This was a fun makeover and with the addition of that knob, it's become a sentimental piece, as well.
DeleteKim, you really brought your dollhouse wash stand back to life! It looks amazing and brand new! Perfect as a decorative accessory on your wash stand!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Gail! I really like this one. It turned out better that I ever could've expected.
DeleteThis project tugged at my heart strings Kim; it's definitely a favourite. Love how you used your mom's button for the pull. I was actually thinking that $4.99 was a great price for such a unique piece; you wouldn't find it that cheap in a thrift store here in any condition lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sara. It was such a silly thing to keep, because the buttons aren't really anything special. They're literally extras from clothes she bought or ones the fell off things we owned, but I couldn't let it go. I'm glad that every now and then I find a use for one of them.
DeleteWell, you have a lot of patience to repair and refinish such a tiny piece - it's adorable, well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Patti! It was actually a pretty quick makeover. That missing knob was the only challenging part, but thanks to my mom’s button jar, even that wasn’t so tough to remedy.
DeleteThis adorable Kim. I can't believe the dirt that came off. Yuck. I love that you added pretty paper to the drawer. Happy rainy weekend
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy! Yes, it was old and dirty, that's for sure. Gotta love vinegar, tackles all those thrift store yuckies.
DeleteKim! You know I love this since anything dollhouse related is my thing! What a great idea and a perfect makeover and use! 👏🏻👏🏻
ReplyDeleteThanks Patti!! That's a big compliment coming from my favorite dollhouse creator! ❤️ I have to say I had fun with this one. I can see how it could become very addictive!!
DeleteWatch out my friend! It’s addictive for sure! 😆
DeleteHeehee...I'll keep you posted! ❤️ I can feel it already. I've been dragging my feet on my dollhouse reno, but his one project has started a creative fire...let the games begin!!
DeleteI’ll be watching!!! 😊
DeleteOh my gosh Kim! That's the cutest thing I've ever seen... the piece itself is cute but the way you've chosen to display and use it makes it absolutely adorable! I've passed up pieces like this because my mind didn't go where yours did but now I'll be getting those cute pieces!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tania! There was just something about this one that I couldn’t resist. I’m so glad I picked it up and it really is a sweet - and unexpected piece - for the bathroom. Happy Hopping!!
DeleteThat's adorable. I was expecting you to take the matching 'arm' off of the other side but it works out well anyway. So cute. I can't pass by miniature 'just-about-anything'. lol. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI'm addicted to miniatures, too, Diana! I have a few chairs, a set of tiny silverware and, my favorite, a small clawfoot tub that I pop a Santa into each Christmas with some round ornament "bubbles"! And thank you!! xo
DeleteOh my goodness Kim, this turned out adorable. And now? I would totally pick up a dollhouse furniture piece to use in our home. What a lovely way to reuse the stand! Thank you for your welcome to the party, I am happy to be here!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to have you with us, Cara! Thanks for the kind words about my washstand. I have to say it's an adorable addition to the bathroom. Useful and cute.
DeleteWow, Kim that is such a sweet little wash stand. I'm so glad you rescued it and gave it some makeover love. Sometimes there are those special things that just just won't let us leave the thrift stores without them. I'm glad this wash stand has found a good home.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tuula! I don't what it was about this one that pulled at my heartstrings, but I'm glad it came home with me, too...
DeleteIt's really lovely to see dolls furniture used in a different way. There is no reason at all why it can't be enjoyed without dolls being involved! This looks so cute in your bathroom, the button drawer knob is perfect and that little drawer could be really useful for storage, cotton buds/swabs, make up remover pads etc
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I really do enjoy the challenge of repurposing things in an unexpected way...and yes, the fact that all the dolls in this house are bagged up in storage waiting for their owners to come and claim them when they get their own homes (we'll see if they actually want them at that point! Ha!) did not deter me from bringing it home. At the moment I have a few hair ties tucked in that drawer, but yes, it's big enough to hold a lot more!!
DeleteYou certainly brought this back to life, very nicely done.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
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Thank you so very much, Jan!
DeleteWhat a gorgeous piece of furniture and great makeover. I was surprised to read it was for a doll house so grand.
ReplyDeleteI believe it's from the American Girl collection, so it's a pretty big piece and it is very well made. It was probably pretty pricey brand new, so grand is a great way to put it! 😉 And thank you!!
DeleteThis is the cutest! I was wondering how in the world you were going to use dollhouse furniture, but you did it.
ReplyDeleteI'm really shocked by how well the stain rejuvenated this piece. And the button? Sheer genius!
I do love that button, Mari! I was ready to run to the dollar store to see if I could find a wooden piece that would work, when I remembered the buttons. I think a little sparkle works better anyway…and thanks so much!!
DeleteHow fun. This is adorable. Love the button for knobs. Very cute. Have a great weekend. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDeleteLove this Kim. It remind me of my mom, who had the same piece in her kitchen. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda! It's now become a sentimental favorite of mine with that button from my mom's stash. Thanks for the visit!
DeleteA very creative use for a sentimental piece of "furniture". (:
ReplyDeleteThanks Gina! Crafting and DIY is my zen and I do love the unexpected, so this was a fun one.
DeleteWow! This looks fantastic! I love seeing makeovers like this. I don’t know that I would ever tackle a project like this, but you have certainly turned my head and have me wondering.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pattie! This one was so simple...it just took me a minute to think about how I could use it in my home. I hope it inspires you to look at a thrifted piece in a new way! I really appreciate the visit and the comment, that always makes me smile!!
DeleteThis one is a humdinger! Right out of the park! I never knew there was American Doll furniture, so seeing this piece was a lovely surprise. I smiled when I saw your Mom's button drawer. My mom had a button tin, pretty well filled up! Such wonderful memories. Such a unique piece, and I thought that $4.99 was kind of a steal! (Prices seem to be going up even in the thrift shops!)
ReplyDeleteAh, mom's button tin! I remember when everyone had one, I sadly think it's a thing of the past. I'm grateful I still have mine to open up, breathe in and rummage through! Oh and yes, prices in thrift stores are going up. I guess I'm stuck in the old days!! 😉
DeleteOh Kim! I love this. I thought for sure you would paint or decoupage it, but you threw me a curve ball. And the button jar! Well that brought tears like a faucet was turned on. That’s amazing the jar still carries her scent. My mother wore TOVA from QVC. I ordered a big bottle of it and when I really miss her I spray a bit into the air. The power of scent girl!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Susan you know me too, well! I was thinking about decoupaging that piece, but once I really looked at it, I saw its beauty and decided to leave it alone. I love that you bought a bottle of your mom's perfume...what a glorious idea!! There's something magical about that scent of mom, isn't there? I may have go buy myself a bottle, now...❤️
DeleteAhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I want one too. That's beyond adorable and what a brilliant idea to use a button for the drawer pull, especially one that's filled with memories and love.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I do believe you could whip one up out of thin air with your amazing talents!
DeleteThat's a unique piece for your bathroom now and all that work turned out perfect in the end. I like the idea of adding the pretty paper inside the drawer and the clever use of the button.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Allyson. I love that button, it makes me think of my mom every time I catch sight of it.
DeleteCUTE!!! Oh my, so very sweet Kim!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carla! Look at me still playing with dolls...sort of! 😉
DeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteO my goodness!! How sweet is that....I would have never thought of using it that way!! Simply darling!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Thanks Debbie! It was a fun makeover! Happy Fall!
DeleteTo answer your question - yes I would! I absolutely love miniature replicas of furniture. This was an amazing find and you did a wonderful job with the makeover. It will be a precious keepsake now.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna! It really is a darling piece and I'm so glad I was able to find a way to use and display it...and tie in a piece of sentimental treasure at the same time!
Delete