Summer Project | Before Questions


I recently inherited this art deco makeup vanity (and a sort of unmatching/painted matching chest of drawers) from an Aunt who passed last fall, which is a bit of a bittersweet story.  She was the loveliest of ladies (who never had any children of her own), but was much loved by all of her nieces and nephews. Last fall she died of breast cancer which had metastasized to different areas of her body.  Her name was Auntie Betty, and she has left a big hole in all of our hearts.



Fast forward to this past spring; my Mom and her sisters got together to divide some of my her things, where they put their names into a hat to share fairly. So it ended up my Mom's name was picked for her set of dressers, and then it ended up my Mom decided to gift them to me.  So here we are; after many tears, when it arrived this past weekend,  I didn't know how much it would affect me to have it in my house.

I remember this dresser from when I was a little girl visiting my aunt. It had the original wood, and I loved the idea of dresser specifically for putting on make-up. Years later, my Aunt re-painted it and switched out the hardware for some pretty brass.




So now that I have it and although I do love the mint green she chose, I think I'd like to repaint it.  I've been thinking black. Inspired by a few pieces I've seen online, I thought we could maybe look at a little inspiration today and maybe you could help me out?

To start, I was inspired by Victoria (of Sfgirlbybay's) new guest room makeover (which I'm sure many of you have seen. I love the black painted chest of drawers and then the mix of different materials all coming together.


And while we're admiring this look, let's also take a look at the opposite side of Victoria's guest room. Those barkcloth drapes, the combination of wicker and rattan, the black against the white. So lovely right?


 Do you think my dresser will look good black yet?

Do you remember Christine Schmidt's Art Deco dresser DIY we posted about earlier this year from her latest book?  Love what she did with the gold leaf. I could add that too perhaps?


I'd like to cover the seat in something that would match the curtain also. I spotted this palm-style cloth on Etsy that might work.



So these are the plans. Feel free to leave other suggestions or ideas. Different colours perhaps? Maybe white? Do you like the black? And stay tuned for the reveal!




Jan Halvarson

11 comments:

cca.. said...

awesome gift, glad it went to some that will love it. Love the hardware.

meridith said...

I love the palm fabric and brass fabric. What a precious gift to remember your Aunt by! I think I like it without the gold leaf but I'm not sure. Black would be lovely.

Tracey Ayton Photography said...

Love love love the black and brass ...... black paint, brass hardware and palm wallpaper lining the inside of the drawers.

Jan Halvarson said...

Thanks cca! It is an awesome gift!

Jan Halvarson said...

Thanks Meredith. Agree, I'd like to try the gold.

Jan Halvarson said...

Tracey - great idea with lining the drawers! Nice touch! :)

Jolie L. said...

I think black and gold look perfect together. You should try!

Jolie
Joliecious.com

Kruschkramerin said...

What a lovely dresser! I love the colour too, but if you like to repaint it, what did you think of kind of olivegreen? Would be great with the handles and the palm printed fabric. Greetings from germany, bea

Jan Halvarson said...

Thanks Jolie - I just might! :)

Jan Halvarson said...

@Kruschkramerin Thank you for your suggestion (all the way from Germany)! I love that colour also.

Unknown said...

for furniture paint you should check out www.bluestonehouse.ca, their chalk paint is sooo easy to use, you'll be able to paint it all in a couple of hours! they also sell it at HomeSense