My New Vintage Washstand!
It’s Friday!! And that means it’s almost time for sweatpants and relaxation. And I’m ready for it. You guys, this week has been so busy. Actually I feel like the past couple of weeks have been busier than normal and I’m kinda running on fumes at this point. I need a few days to rest and recharge my batteries. Hopefully that happens this weekend! Anyway, I’m coming atcha again today with another vintage find. That’s two in a row this week! This one is actually a Craigslist find and I just bought it a few days ago–it’s an antique washstand. I honestly can’t decide if I should paint it or leave it alone, so I figured I would go ahead and share it with you lovely ladies today!
Isn’t she a beauty? I love the little swing door on the right side. And those casters! I did some research and I’m pretty sure this is an Eastlake washstand, which dates it back to the late 1800’s/early 1900’s. This one is very similar. I paid $100 for mine, which is significantly less than similar cabinets I’ve found online. And isn’t it crazy how it matches that mirror?!
My vintage loving heart is just smitten with this little washstand. I can’t help but think about all the homes it has been in over the last 100+ years. It’s such a little treasure and I love the charm it adds to this room. And side note–how pretty are those faux flowers?! They’re from Michaels.
The hardware on this isn’t original, so I might check out Etsy for some antique drawer pulls. And right now I can’t decide if I want to paint it or leave it alone. What do you think?! I always hesistate to paint pieces that are THIS old, but then at the same time I also think paint can make a piece like this look even better. I’m tempted to go white, or even a fun color like a soft minty green, but I just don’t know what to do.
I think I’ll let this piece sit here for a while before I decide what to do with it. I definitely don’t want to rush painting it and then regret it, so I’ll wait for a while and see how I feel. That seems like the reasonable thing to do, right?! I think so. Anyway, I hope you guys liked seeing my latest Craigslist find. Thanks so much for stoping by the blog today!! I’ll see you back here Monday–and get ready because I have exciting news coming!!
The Comments
Marty
I love it natural, it shows the beautiful lines of the piece and it’s so nice to see a pretty wood piece with all the white.
Tammy Ganci
Hi, I love it!!!! I too am buying up a storm on craigslist. I just purchased a beach house in NJ and I am finding some great finds. Some I paint some i leave alone and some I buy already painted and distressed. But in your case with the washstand, I would leave it alone. It looks amazing and it has its 100+ year distressing already done!!!! I love it.
Have a blessed relaxing weekend
Love your blog friend,
Tammy
Judy
She’s a beauty, Sarah! I would touch a hair on her pretty little head. Her charm and beauty is her natural finish💕💖
Marilyn S.
Ok Sarah ,Step away from the paint brush! This piece is in great condition ,has a lovely patina and is a perfect match with the contemporary mirror.
The wood adds depth to the rest of the very light colors in the room . If the wood and finish were in bad shape I’d say paint it but this is just lovely .
Kathy
> Marilyn S.I have an Eastlake washstand. Mine is a little different than yours but it looks like the same wood. My hardware is original and is metal/tin with pulls. The door has a latch turning type handle. (I would send you a picture but I won’t be back home for a month.) I hope this helps you in finding “new” antique handles! I agree with the majority…don’t paint it! It’s a great find!
Becky Johnson
Super cute girl! You do find such cute things! I also love the big bottle and the flowers. My living room needs that. Thanks Sweet girl! Have a peaceful week-end. xoxo🌷🌷🌷🌷💗💗
Sally
Don’t paint it. It’s beautiful!
Nikki
I agree with the other comments. It looks to be in great shape and I love the color of the wood with all of the neutrals and it looks great with the mirror. Great find, Sarah!
Peggy Moran Huryn
I love it! It looks perfect as it except I agree about changing out the out-of-date knobs. It matches the mirror about it perfectly! Great find!
Bonnie Trott
My grandmother on my
Dad’s side had a dresser exactly like this one. She used to put a porcelain potty in the side door. They had no inside plumbing and it was in case you had to use the bathroom at night.
Chris
Sarah, it is beautiful! Just the way it is. For all the reasons already stated, and for one more:
Sometimes antique pieces should be allowed to celebrate their longevity(not unlike an aging woman). It’s not necessary to spackle/paint/alter…every nick and scratch, every bit of patina tells a story of a life well-lived.
Besides, it looks fabulous in your neutral home!
Joann Scholl
Love it …. love how you styled it as well. Try and rest today. 🙂
Nancy
Beautiful piece of furniture at a great price. Please do not paint it. The beauty is in the wood on this one.
Jana
Beautiful find Miss Sarah! Agree – walk away from the paint brush on this one, especially because of the wood tone of the mirror – perfect styling with those Michael’s florals. I also like the hardware but if you find the perfect vintage ones, why not? Love your style!
Deedra
Hi Sarah! What a lovely piece and it looks great there with the mirror over it! I have to agree with the other posts, the natural finish is too pretty to paint over. And the natural patina ties in beautifully with the wood on the mirror. I love to see warm wood in a white painted room. Your room is so inviting and pretty!
Deb Schoedel
Let me the natural wood! It just fits in that area! Thank you for sharing!
Suzee B
Great find! I wouldn’t do anything except maybe change the knobs …. it looks so good as and where it is!
Kathy
I say leave it, it’s gorgeous!
Janet
I would not paint it!!! Its such a beautiful piece and since you have so much white in your room already II,d leave it to shine it’s own glory!
Ruth-Ann
I think the wood is beautiful but I can see old glass knobs & that will freshen it up. I 💜It!! Your flowers look so real!
Shirley Smith
Please do not paint it. I love it and your coffee table chest, they both give that little pop of color and texture with the hued white. Love them together. ❤
Pam
It’s perfect! Can’t wait to see it with new hardware!
Cheryl
It is charming and perfect—would not change a thing, except the hardware. Also, love how it complements the mirror. Enjoy!❤️
Valerie
That is a beautiful piece! I love me some chippy white furniture but that looks to be in really good condition, and it pulls together with your mirror! Having said all that, whatever way you go will look awesome.
Dawn
Love this piece!! It goes beautifully with your mirror! I would leave it, it is so tempting to paint. I always want to paint pieces myself,as I love the look of farmhouse style. It’s a beauty in its natural wood❤️
Darlene
It looks beautiful with your mirror I say don’t paint it. Love they way it looks in your room. It adds a touch of the rustic with the colour of it.
Janella Bolding
What a beautiful score on Craigslist you found! Did the mirror come with it too???
A soft minty color would be gorgeous with new pulls!!
Connie
I am agreeing with the comments already posted about not painting the washstand. One thing not mentioned is you decrease the value of an antique piece of furniture when you cover the original finish–a point to consider in case you ever want to sell it. And, I do like the contrast of this finish with the rest of your furnishings. Always enjoy your blog.
Jana Prochaska
I love it the way it is! It is gorgeous!!
Linda
Hi Sarah, I have been following you for awhile and love all the ideas you come up with. Love this wash stand. I think I would leave it just like it is. It really goes good with your mirror and really compliments the room. Love the flowers as well.
Thank you,
Linda
Jennifer
I would leave this one alone! It’s nice to have those pops of natural wood mixed with the white. Plus, it’s in such nice condition 🙂
Vicki
Echoing everyone else to say I would leave it unpainted. I think some kind of natural furniture oil would warm up the wood even more, and I do agree that more vintage knobs would help. Of course, it’s yours to do with as you wish! You can always add color with accessories you style it with, and the warm wood looks so great with your white walls😊
Angela Servello
Good morning my love. What a great piece. Perfect spot for it. For what it’s worth, I always love the white painted look but with the mirror above, I would leave it as is. It is really so attractive. Can you tell me where on Craigslist do you find such wonderful pieces? Is there a specific section I should click on? Any help would be so helpful. Have a blessed and restful weekend.🙏🍷🛀
Joanne Boulter
Great find. I think it is absolutely perfect as is. It brings a lot of contrast to your white room.
Mindy
Don’t paint it. I’m someone who is loves chalk paint on almost everything. But on this piece the wood is so beautiful and soft looking.
glenda lafont
pls do not paint this darling
piece.
Nancy Wichman
Please leave the wash stand as is! It’s gorgeous and matches your mirror perfectly. What a great find!
Dorothy
Another cute find.Yay for the win! Looks perfect with the mirror. Leave it for awhile and see how you feel later!
Tess
Hi Sarah: I agree with everyone else it’s a beautiful piece and I would not want to paint it. It matches the mirror so well and is a great wood piece that complements in the room so we’ll.
Curious – how do you find such amazing finds on CL?? Please share some of your secrets!!
Tess
Hi Sarah: I agree with everyone else it’s a beautiful piece and I would not want to paint it. It matches the mirror so well and is a great wood piece that complements the room so well.
Curious – how do you find such amazing finds on CL?? Please share some of your secrets!!
Amy Sellheim
Beautiful piece! It looks just lovely natural. My vote is for don’t touch it. 🙂
Susie
What a gorgeous piece! Please don’t paint it! It looks beautiful with your mirror! Have a restful weekend!
Candy
Hello Sarah
What a wonderful find! I love the washstand and the mirror. It looks awesome where you have them. Whatever you decide to do either paint or leave it will be great I know.
Have a fantastic weekend and do relax
Ginger
I paint furniture to, but I usually do on pieces that are damaged. Obviously, it’s yours so you have to do what is best, but it’s only original once! And D Lawless has great hardware!
Lori
Ok – I’m going “against the grain” of what others are saying – but I beat to my own drum anyways. If I bought this piece for myself I would paint it and give it real character. Now – you are talking to someone who’s love for Oak anything has completely faded through the years. The great thing about paint is you can always strip it!
Velda
I would paint it! I love white! Never gets old to me and so fresh!!
Nancy Lange
I personally wouldn’t paint it since it’s so old. As Ruff Ruffman says “you can’t un-toast the toast”. (Since you have littles I assume you’re familiar with Ruff Ruffman on PBS).
Diane
If it is in good shape…which it appears to be…I would leave it alone.
It’s just enough contrast to compliment all the white you have going on. I agree with you…find some neat hardware….that alone will change the piece.
I love it! Great find!
Alyssa
I agree to leave it for a while! If you aren’t loving it natural, then you can always paint it. I like the idea of a minty green 🙂
Christi Allen Fields
Leave it!! It’s antique, I love painting pieces for the farmhouse feel but this one is the perfect natural color that goes perfectly!
Sandee
That wood looks like it’s in such good shape. I’d really think long and hard about Not painting this piece.
With all the white and neutral you have these beautiful wood tones add so much texture.
Thats just Me! You need to do what’s good for you.
I absolutely love this piece.
DeRisa Pullen
I am all for painting…however, I believe I would leave this piece as is. Why cover up her history…let her tell her story just the way she is. My opinion only…she is a keeper for sure!
Donalee
Love it! I really like the wood finish and how it goes with your mirror. Awesome find!
Mary Beth
I am not a fan of oak, but because you have so much white I think I would let it be for awhile. I definitely would try the hemp oil on it and new knobs could be awesome!
Mia
Leave washstand as is, it’s beautiful.
Verna
I would replace the knobs but I would not paint it….it’s beautiful as it is!
Lorrie
I love it! I would leave it just as it is, it’s gorgeous!
Lori
I love this piece Sarah! The warm tones of the finish are exactly what this space needed, so I would definitely not paint it!
Melissa Filson
I love this piece Sarah! I have a few of these saved on Facebook Marketplace! I say leave it just like it is!! It looks amazing right where it is and exactly like it is! I love the contrast of the wood against the white shiplap. Woods, whites, blacks, and throw in a little green 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 I can’t wait to see what your exciting news is!!!
Shelia P.
Hi Sarah! I love your new little wash stand it’s so cute! I think you have the right approach about living with it as is for awhile and see if you feel differently about painting it later on. If you do decide to paint it, you could leave the top natural wood to blend with your mirror, and venture out and paint it some soft muted color, like the muted green you mentioned. Or a soft grayish blue would look good as well with your decor. Then you could add some muted color pillows to play off whatever color you decide on, if any. I like it either way. Decisions, decisions, right? lol! It’s always tough to know which way to go with an old piece like that. I hope you get rested up over the weekend. Pamper yourself a little, you deserve it. Enjoy your weekend! 😊
Paula
Hi! It looks great as it is!! You have it styled so cute too.. I wouldn’t paint it 💕
BEATRIZ VAN GIESON
That one is perfect as is. And looks perfect in your room.
Crystal
This is such a charming piece! I love antique washstands! I use one in my bedroom as a night stand. I had painted mine but then decided to strip it back to the natural wood, for now it’s staying natural while I decide what direction the bedroom with take. Have you considered putting a vintage chamber pot in the little side cubby? That’s what normally would be in it. To keep the potty from becoming a stinky eyesore 🙂 Now they can hold all manner of small things, guest soaps, a couple of rolls of toilet paper, or legos. PS. Don’t tell the kids what it’s really for, unless you want the ick factor to go off the charts 🙂
Grace
Here is a suggestion, if you are going to paint it maybe leave the drawer and door fronts original wood to tie in the mirror.
Denise
I would leave it alone! Change the hardware but do not paint it!
Penny
I would leave it the natural, it gives the room some depth.
Kyle
Hey Sarah, love the antique washstand, but that paired with the phone and mirror in the background really bring it home!
Sarah
> Kyleah thanks Kyle!!
Denise Johnson
Love that wash stand, it looks great where you placed it. 🤗
Trish
No, don’t paint. The wood tone in front of the painted shiplap is perfect!
Love it.
Rebecca
Wow this is so lovely please consider not painting! I saw the photo and assumed at first that you had already refinished yourself and was going to ask you what products you used to finish. I love that it’s a warm almost pinkish brown and not amber yellow. So lovely.