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Barnhart Gallery I'd silver leaf the details, if not the whole piece -- love this!

Kayla Thomas What is your question? Are you wanting suggestions on paint ideas, or do you not really know how to go about painting it?

Shelton Interiors Try two very subtly different colors - for instance Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee and Winter White - saw this yesterday when leafing through House Beautiful's Colors for your Home book. The effect is stunning! The subtle color combination would lend class to this piece while fitting in with your other decor beautifully!

marshallglam The finish is really yellowed and crackled...would you leave like that?? I, too love the piece. I have silver mercury lamps for each side....want it really to bea wow factor AND remind me what a femme fatale my mom was!!

aniluap2 I would just leave it. It will add an eclectic touch. If everything else is white and pale teal I think this will blend in and add some interest.

fatar1 What a beautiful vanity! I've been looking for a similar piece for my daughter' room. I would leave it exactly as it is.

judyg Your tri fold vanity is a wonderful piece. I thought you might enjoy this link (and fatar1, also). The finishes are described.

http://www.foreverpinkcottagechic.com/vanities.html

Susan Mills Design How wonderful to have that beautiful piece to evoke such memories of your mother. I love that era too and always associate it with glamour. I can't see the colour properly but would leave it the way it is and bring other elements into the room to reference it. Such as Bedding in different fabrics like silk and linen and lace, layer it up, create a bed to languish in, sipping champagne and eating chocolates, (like a certain person on this forum, not to name names! ) ;)while reading the latest novels. You can create a beautiful room, using this as a starter point. Please show us the finished room. I for one, would love to see it.

hazeldoodle What about the stainless steel paint that you use to paint appliances? Then paint the mirror frame either darker or lighter teal than your wall color and perhaps the little shapes on the front of the drawers that same color to make them stand out.

marshallglam The problem is the finish (crackled) is yellowed and the trim is gold. I am using silver, mirrors, black & white and the pale, pearly icy teal alls. Thanks for the info.

aniluap2 It is not a problem to mix in a little touch of gold but if you want to paint, it I totally get it. The problem with repaintingv is that you will have to strip it. Since the finish is crackled, that will not allow for a smooth top coat, and while it may be acceptable in an aged piece, it would look really bad with a fresh coat of paint on top of fissures . You might want to sand it until the flat surface areas are smooth and then refinish it with Ann Sloan Chalk Paint with her wax finish. You may want to look it up online. You won't have to prime and strip it down completely just get the cracks smoothed. Another option and I'm not so sure how this product works, but I've seen people mention it on Houzz discussions, is rustoleum cabinet transforming kits. They come in many colors and are supposedly very easy to use. I think you have your heart set on white, so go for it and post how it turns out!

marshallglam I have used the rustoleum kits--on old cabinetry. They work good. I do think I have heart set on either black or white.

aniluap2 I just saw a link on another line of chalk paint called Cee Cee Caldwell which is even easier to use than Ann Sloan . You don't need to distress your piece since that is not the look you're going for but the clear soft wax finish gives it a smooth sheen.

Kayla Thomas Can you post a larger picture of it? It's difficult to see the finish. If you're not wanting a distressed look, I would sand the crackled parts smooth (or if they really are deep or too abundant, stripping may be an easier option). I would prime it with Zinnser primer (original), and sand lightly after that so it's nice and smooth. Then paint it with a quality paint in at least two smooth, even coats. Don't glob it on. Nice and smooth. I always seal my furniture, and have found that Rustoleum's poly (white can, orange accents) goes on really well with a good foam brush. Use at least two coats of that to seal your work.

pruner Deco used different metals, so don't be afraid to leave the gold. Agree with Susan Mills on incorporating the other touches and keep this wonderfully eclectic and rare piece as is. Re the crackling surface, add some glass on the flat surfaces, but put tiny little 'pads' between the surface and the glass to allow the furniture to breathe.

carolannr It will have absolutely little value as a 100 year old pc if you paint it. That said, if you still want to, it must be stripped if you want any kind of smooth surface. Sanding will not take enough of this old surface off to prevent the new top coat from not looking as nice as would be acceptable.

Lydia I would paint it glossy, really bright fuschia with some glass knobs to add to the glam factor. This would be your piece de resistance!

Aja Mazin Carolannr is absolutely correct.

If you must paint and the finish is crackled, you should sand, then strip before painting.

Aja Mazin There is another technique I hesitate to offer.

It uses tin foil and wallpaper paste!
There is nothing difficult about it, but it’s fiddly and time-consuming…and STICKY!!

It covers the crackle and a multitude of sins.

If you want the tutorial, I will provide.

carolannr Sounds interesting Aja, looks very much like something I'd like to try too. Could it work on an occasional chair or is the surface "Do no touch".

Barnhart Gallery This room came up on my front page feed tonight and made me think of your project:

Aja Mazin carolannr,

It is "touchable" used on table tops.

aniluap2 Aja, I have actually seen this done on a piece at an antique store. It looks like silver leaf. They painted the piece flat black underneath in case there are any tears when applying. The silver foil is applied so that the dull side is what you see i.e. The shiny side towards the glue. There are some creases but that makes it look even more interesting. It works well on pieces that have some raised ornamentation and the cheap thin foil is the best since it is more malleable. Great idea for a deco glam look. As far as the monetary worth of the piece these dressers are not worth more than a couple hundred dollars but the sentimental worth is priceless. Marshallglam your mother would be thrilled you're enjoying the piece she loved, regardless of what you do with it!

Aja Mazin carolannr, ,

to achieve such a smooth surface, it requires patience and steady handy - both of which I am sure you possess.

You want the tutorial to give it a try on the chair?

aja

Aja Mazin aniluap2,

don't waste your money..[AS is rich enough!]
I have a recipe for home made chalk paint. - actually 3!
One is bound to fit your needs.

aniluap2 Thanks Aja! Can you post them for the Houzz followers? You are a wealth of knowledge.

Aja Mazin here is the link-
http://redhenhome.blogspot.com/2011/06/bling-for-bedroom.html

Aja Mazin Here is a another version:

http://redhenhome.blogspot.com/2012/10/foil-bombay-chest.html

Aja Mazin aniluap2

oh geez.

did you mean the chalk paint recipe?

Aja Mazin here is my favorite.

You want it really creamy!

For a high shine or a really hard finish, let the paint dry overnight, then apply
Johnson Paste Wax and buff.

Repeat until you achieve your desired finish.
If it is to go outdoors wait a week.
It will "cure" in about a week, but the item can be used immediately.

No prep required and adheres to metal, plastic, laminate, vinyl....

aniluap2 Thanks so much Aja. Really appreciate you taking the time

aniluap2 Thanks missed the other post ...both really helpful...hugs

carolannr Aja, thanks for the time and trouble. I don't get many calls for this here in CO but I have a real "girly" girl grand daughter who would defintely enjoy something in this style for her room. Still love to make additions to my "formulas" bible.

marshallglam Thanks Aja; would love the "recipe" for tin foil & wallpaper paste. I have used Johnson's Wax...it does work well. The pix of the Hollywood Bedroom that came up oon your feed is similar to the colors in my room and VERY close to what I would like. You are a wonderful source!!

marshallglam You are in my neck of the woods (Florida). I will try to get a close up of how much the surface is crackled. MAYBE I willl clean really good and touch up gold with silver leaf and "live" with the yellowed crackle for a while. Like my painter friend says "put up art on the wall--live with it a bit before you decide if you like it or not". Thanks again.

Aja Mazin carolannr,

I have my own set of snap on tools, and I once had to replace my toilet in college, but until I discovered
chalkpaint, I couldn't paint a rock.

Aja Mazin marshallglam,

You might want to have an antique dealer check it out.

Best of luck !

carolannr I've been re-doing furniture since my earlt 20's so I think I've got that down but always can use new recipes. I started the remodeling thing with our first house - an 1800's farm house that was moved into a small town. My husband was afraid to go to work in the Cities because he would come home to major changes - walls out, flooring removed to expose birdeye maple. That's the worst part of retiring is I no longer have the strength to pitch in and do the work!

Susan Mills Design Carolannr, that must have been fun, never quite knowing what you would discover, and for him, what you did with it!

marshallglam Sounds wonderful. I wish I were younger and just starting out....would love a big, old Victorian or Craftsman bungalow to fill with old furnishings and just have all the time & energy in the world to redo! I do much better sanding and starting from scratch, then taking an item that has already been "refinished"....and try to either go forward, or go backward and start again. I think I will do the vanity slowly....just do silver leaf first and live with that.....I can always go back and sand/paint later. Am dying to try the tin foil/wallpaper paste technique. First, I am dying an ulphostered chair--with a technique I got from Emily Clark! Sounds easy....Thanks for your time & attention

Susan Mills Design Marshallglam, would love to hear about this teqnique you speak of. Will google Emily Clark!

Susanna I am showing up late to the party with my champagne and chocolates. :-)

Thank you, also, for posting the recipe Aja! You always have such great DIY ideas. I have seen several on Pinterest but it's nice to hear from someone who has tried them. You never know on Pinterest if the pinner knows what they are doing or not.

Nothing to add other than if you decide to paint, I ran across these pictures of silver paint pieces that might be similar to your finished piece. Could be very glam! FYI...

Susan Mills Design Lol I knew you would Susanna! Welcome!

Susanna P.S. The new hardware on these pieces really helps also. Here is the link for a closer look at the silver pieces above:
http://img1.etsystatic.com/005/0/5649852/il_fullxfull.375451993_587x.jpg

Susanna Hi Susan! That was hilarious!!

Susan Mills Design I couldn't resist!

Rochelle Staffieri I'm curious, do you also have a chair to the vanity? I am glad you will take this slowly so you will get the best value. Another thought I had was about the Poirot movies which are set in the 1930's. They have art deco in every set and most of the furniture is natural wood stain. It could make a nice balance and go with your headboard. It is just a thought.