Limed Vintage Vanity Table

I've been a very busy bee lately. I must finish all these projects I have pending. I really admire all bloggers out there who keep coming up with one creative project after another. I surely cannot keep up, nor am I trying to. I've just been able to finally devote time to all the projects I should have finished years ago!
Many moons ago I went to the local charity thrift store and pointed out to my sons Edgar and Alex that I'd come back the next day and buy the vanity table I saw. Well, I went to the store the next day and needless to say, IT WAS SOLD! My sons listened to me rant and rave about it all day long. Boy, was I disappointed, I should have known better. Anyway, the next day was my birthday and yes, you guessed it, they gave me the vanity table as a present! The little scoundrels. They pooled their monies together and bought it and had it stored in their Grandma's house to give to me as a surprise. Well, was I ever! If furniture can be loved, I love this little vanity table! I've been saying I'm going to refinish all these years. At the time Alex was in Middle school. He's now married with two children. What do you think, was it time or not?
Well, here it is. I finally finished it and now on to the next project. I really have to hurry up and finish the vintage head and foot boards for my bed. It's been seven years. We shall see. Stay connected, OK?

I wanted to lime the vanity, not just paint it. When liming, the piece has to be sanded down to the bare wood.  I started with 60 grit and ended with 150 for a very smooth wood grain, making sure to sand in the direction of the grain. Liming is also called pickling or whitewashing. It was used hundreds of years ago to protect wood from worms and insects. A lime compound mixed with water was used. It is now used for decorative purposes.

Sanded on right side. A  small area at a time is best.

Sanded.

Apply Whiting. I used Minwax White Wash Pickling Stain. Washed down color can be used as well.

Stain is to be rubbed into wood grain using a circular motion a small area at a time and rubbing off with rag or brush.

Wood can appear different even in the same piece, the stain will also take differently in different areas. It's ok.

I used Annie Sloan Louis blue chalk Paint diluted with the whiting for a lighter shade.  I also used Minwax Color Express Periwinkle Stain ( in a tube) on a very, very dry brush for a little darker distressing. This was on top only.

The ottoman was a thrift store steal at $4.99! Hope to recover in another fabric.The letter sorter is being re-purposed to hold scarves. Designer hobo leather handbags were $5.99 each at the thrift store. Yay!

A basketful of various vintage battenburg lace and crocheted tabletops from Ira's Antiques.....a find at $10.00 for the lot!

I will be changing the knobs to faux glass handles resembling this one. I'm trying to find it in clear blue. I will post it later.

An old letter sorter is being re-purposed to hold handbags, scarves and long necklaces as needed. Yes, that's my name on the navy scarf and yes, it's missing the 1st S .......for Sunday. Oops! It's all good......

A girl can never have too many pretty jewelry holders. Girl!!! What! Are you kidding? I'll be pfft5 tomorrow!!! 

Antique cut glass from Ira's Antique Shop, $4.50 for all the small ones, the large pitcher was under $10.00, a steal!. I use them for brushes, eye pencils, cotton swabs, flowers, potpourri, etc.

Done!

It takes longer to download the photos than to write the post!  Have a great Week!