Renovations: Bathroom Vanity I

The new vanity is my mom's old dining room breakfront. I've been working on that while the construction proceeds.

 Sanded and patched.

 

A couple of the drawers needed repairs to the slides. I was lucky to find the perfect tool at a week-end yard sale: a small plane for the discounted price of $6.30. I put it right to use on the lath that was just a smidge too wide.

I ended up making two shorter slides to put under the top and second drawers since the center slide was cut for the sink.

 I used the weights where I couldn't fit a clamp.

Primed twice. The first coat with Beher seemed to be bleeding so I did a second coat with

Finally got to the real painting. A mix of a blue and gray from the paint pile. Two coats and two top sealer coats.

Renewing a Marble Top Chest

Our friends acquired this piece and two others very like it when they were stationed in Germany in the 70's.  They've used it ever since, but now it was surplus in their home.

I measured it and found several places it would fit at Pat's Addition.  It took three of use to move her (I think it's a she) even though the marble comes apart. There were a couple of edge moldings off.  Some wood glue and clamps fixed them up.

The original handles were broken or missing.  They seemed to be a tin/lead material and were never fastened well.  Just small nails were used.  They had left an imprint.

 I used my favorite quick fix on the finish. 

I bought some HD knobs that were a close match in shape/color to the two originals on the top drawers.  I did have to drill holes and since the short screws were too ... short! and the long screws were too ...  long! I used a nut on the inside to make it work.

I did rig a block behind the two top drawers so they closed better.

Followed by some polish. 

 Still has the working key.

Here she is, moved to the foot of the basement stairs were light reflects in the mirror.  We used the skateboards to move her from the first place (by the bathroom door) we put her.

These are tools from my great grandfather. A scribe, plane and level.

Plus an old camera and chess set.

I think the piece is a marriage of three...chest, marble and mirror since the marble seems a bit too large for the top.  The mirror might have sat on the top with a smaller marble but it doesn't seem to be quite the same wood.  It has a faint signature on the bottom. Nice tiles on either side.

Anyway, she works for me.  Thanks Jim and Carol! A Happy Valentine's Day to all.

Restoration

We had a BIG BIG party last week.  In preparation I worked on seating needs.  We've had these sofas forever ... they are from my mom's house.  We had them outside on the lawn at our old house for years.  Here they've not been used, they've been abused, they've rusted through and through.  The wooden arms  rotted.  I'm going to try to find a woodworker to make a copy from the one I have left.

 

 

 

 

 

With some effort, in 100 degree heat, I got most of the paint chipped and stripped.

 

 

 

Primed.

 

 

Painted two coats of Rustoleum gloss white.

The vintage cushions are huge, heavy things with inner springs.  They have been in the basement on another sofa for kids to use.  Still OK is the covering Mom sewed years ago.

Then I did a little re-hab on these chairs and table.

Primed

Totally disgusting innards.

 

New foam.  Much better!

 

 

 

I grabbed tables from my daughter's porch and did a quick paint job on them as well.

Everyone had a seat.