You’re elegant, supportive, there when you’re needed and
stunningly beautiful. That’s what these
lady’s vanities/desk are to me. They can
be amazingly transformed from dark, scratched and neglected.
This vanity had some interesting history to it. During the mid 20th century, many
high end department stores would special order their merchandise from the
furniture manufacturers.
This lovely piece was made
by a manufacturer in Lenoir, North Carolina...the home of many manufacturers
over the past century. It was ordered and delivered to a department
store: WG Swartz, in Norfolk. I grew up in this area and vaguely remember
WG Swartz. It was a high end department store and was eventually
purchased by a local chain of stores called Miller and Rhoades. During WG
Swartz's hay day, they catered to a sophisticated retail customer. They
had a tea room where the ladies would gather together, wearing their hats and
white gloves for an afternoon tea. As a matter of fact, as a very young
girl, I remember going to another department store’s tea room with my grandmother,
and I was all gussied up. Hat and white
gloves stuff!
Here is the before:
Classic mahogany
stained piece.
A mix of Provence & Old
White, with a light wash of Old White….
The original hardware was gone, so I added some clear knobs and two
painted pulls on the center drawer.
I also applied an applique to the oval detail. I thought it added bit more detail and character
to the piece. Also, the fluting that
rises up from each leg really stands out because of the Old White wash.
There was some paint leftover and I had a gold oval mirror. Yep…a little aqua wash on the mirror, letting
some of the gold peak through….
And here she is….in all her glory, ready for new histories to be
written.
And it just so happens
that one of my most favorite clients adopted her. An elegant piece for a very elegant
lady. Hi Jennifer!
Thanks for stopping by…
This is beautiful! I just purchased an old 20's vanity that is amazing, too. Looking forward to it. I am actually keeping it for my daughter :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Suzanne! A 20s vanity? I bet it is fabulous! Looking forward to seeing the finished product. What a lucky daughter!
Deleteoooh what a pretty pretty piece! love the colors and hardware- girly glam!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cassie! You are so sweet to stop by...especially since "You say it's your birthday".... :)
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