No Minimalist Here > DIY > Home Repair Tips and Tricks > New (old) French Vanity

New (old) French Vanity

Lucia

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Lucia
Hi everyone!  I hope you are having a great week.
Last Saturday Steve and I drove four hours round trip for me to bid on a wonderful French vanity. I saw this vanity Thursday evening in an email I receive weekly from a local auction. This particular auction was being held in a very rural part of Virginia and they were selling lots of farm equipment and tools from an estate.
The home was a lovely antebellum style built in 1880 and had the most gorgeous pine floors and woodwork.  There was little furniture left to be auctioned since the owner had moved to Virginia Beach after her husband passed away three years ago.
That was okay with me because I had my eye on one piece… one piece only!   I was determined that this fabulous antique French vanity was meant to be mine. I forewarned my husband that he may want to walk away when the vanity came up for auction because I was determined not to leave without it at any cost!
You see, I have wanted a vanity for several years but never found one that I fell in love with…until last week. Luckily, I have a wonderful husband that knows when I set my mind to something it very rarely changes and didn’t even blink when I said I wanted to drive four hours to attend an auction.
The first hour and a half they auctioned off artwork, decorative items and some antique furniture. I was hoping that not many antique dealers would drive the distance for the auction. There were quite a few people but many of them appeared to be farmers there to bid on the equipment which was exactly what I had hoped for.  The furniture was going so cheap!  One beautiful French armoire went for $50, a gorgeous brass bed sold for $80 and a huge antique bookcase went for $40.
Finally the vanity came up for bids and I only had one person bidding against me.  I was able to buy this beautiful piece for…..
$65.00  Yippee!
She will be getting a new paint job because the finish is not in the best condition.  The light spot on the top is actually a shadow.  I already have the plastic down and the weights are holding it in place.  I knew those hand weights would come in handy for something!  They sure haven’t been used around here for exercise.
We left as soon as I won the vanity. We stopped for lunch then hit a couple of antique malls in the area before heading home.
You may remember our bed.
See the caning and the curves?  I think the vanity will be perfect in our bedroom.  So what is your favorite auction purchase?
On another note.
I was recently introduced to a great new hand sanitizer.  Prefense sanitizes skin and nails on contact and offers protection from germs for up to 10 hand washings. I have very dry skin and I love that Prefense has no alcohol to dry out my hands further. The product actually contains a silica complex of organic botanicals to prevent drying and redness.  I must say my hands felt very smooth for hours after using Prefense.  It seems every time we fly or go on an extended trip I catch some type of bug.  I will definitely be taking this product with me on our upcoming trip.
The Open House party will be up and ready for you to link to Wednesday evening.  See you there.
xo,
Sherry
Lucia
Author
Lucia

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67 thoughts on “New (old) French Vanity”

  1. Wow how blessed you were to not have a hundred bidders bidding against you!! It is a perfect fit in your beautiful bedroom- So glad you won the bid!

  2. Hi Sherry,

    That vanity is incredible! Lucky you to get it for such a great price. I'm disappointed that there wasn't a smackdown on the person bidding against you! LOL
    I can't wait to see what you do with it.

    Tina

  3. You've certainly had a huge bargain there Sherry. I think the vanity will look fabulous in your bedroom – like a match made in heaven, hope you show us the finished article… I can hardly wait!

  6. Ohhh my gosh, Sherry!!! This antique french vanity is FABULOUS!!! I love the caning and the curves on this beauty! And…you are soo right…it goes perfectly with your french bed! It couldn't be any more perfect!!! I'm sooo tickled for you, dear friend! Now I can hardly wait to see what it looks like with a new coat on it!!!

    Love ya,
    Chari

  7. OMG I am sooo jealous! I love that vanity! I have never seen another one like it Sherry. It is gorgeous, and it will be beautiful in cream (I guess you will paint to match the bed). Good for you!

  8. Sherry-What a great piece. She's a beauty! I thought you were going to say someone bid her up sky high! So glad you got her for a reasonable price!

    I don't know that hand sanitizer. I will have to look for some. I use it at least 40 times a day at the hospital…and some of it is very drying. Thanks for the info. xo Diana

  10. We used to go to auctions all the time. Our first one we went to specifically for a sideboard and came home with 2! One we got for $200 and one for $210 and I've seen the one we got for $210 in antique stores for over $1,800! Of course, we were never so lucky again but a lot of my things came from auctions. When I had a booth at the antique mall I got most of my stuff from auctions. After filling 2 storage sheds and another storage in the country, we don't go anymore!

    You got a great piece of furniture at a fabulous price! Can't wait to see you work your magic on it.

    Judy

  11. Sherry, darling, it's been a long, LONG time since I have been to a good auction. Auctions are where many of my best pieces have come from, and usually at great prices.

    My most favorite auction buys are two oil paintings that I bought years ago. Much like the exchange between you and your husband, I told my-Steve that it would be better if he didn't watch, because I was going to bid whatever necessary to get these two paintings. That poor woman who was bidding against me didn't know what hit her. 🙂

  13. I got the vapors when I saw what you paid for that piece Sherry, I can't imagine how thrilled you are with your new find. I can't wait to see it refinished and in place.

  14. This vanitty is gorgeous, so beautiful and romantic, it will sure go beautiful with your lovely bed! Congrats, well bid, not expensive at all and so very lucky!! Can't wight til I see it finishes and in it's own place! Lots of hugs, FABBY

  16. this is your vanity! goodness it has been waiting for you and there could be no better option for you- happy you found it. looking foreward to see the end result mmm XO Col ~ Afrique du Sud

  18. Hi Sherry,
    I think that I would have driven that far to get that lovely vanity too. It's really unique and very pretty. I cannot wait to see how you transform it.

    hugs
    Sissie

  19. It is an awesome piece, Sherry. I could never paint it tho … but it will be handsome in your suite. You really hit the jackpot on this purchase … just sheer beauty, it is.

    Have a great holiday weekend ~
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

  21. Dang, I had a comment all done and my daughter deleted it LOL

    That is the cutest vanity and such a great price. Congratulations!
    I've been searching Craigslist and sales for a vanity for my daughter with no luck.
    We drive for hours to go to sales also even for ONE thing I have my eye on, no matter the cost.
    If it makes me happy…my husband always says.
    I am so spoiled 🙂
    Your bedroom is gorgeous and your new vanity will look perfect in there.

    Have a happy 4th!

  22. WOW!! WHAT AN AMAZING BUY!! On top of that it is just so pretty and is perfect for your gorgeous bedroom. I cannot wait to see what you do with it, am sure its going to be just stunning!

  25. Oh my gosh, Sherry, that is beautiful! What a great price, too! I don't blame you for having your heart set on it. Seeing the picture of your bed again, it looks like it will go perfectly in your room. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do to it.

  27. It was meant to be yours Sherry. One of my favorite auction pieces is a little accent table my hubby brought home for me. He only paid $4 for it and I love it! Have a great week!
    xoxo,
    Kim

  28. Good for you! What a great deal, and it will fit in PERFECTLY in your room. Can't wait to see it when you're done with it.

  34. I love your new vanity! What a fun story too! I've yet to go to an auction! I read about the ones held in my area but haven't seen anything that really caught my eye yet! Congrats on your great deal! Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to see it made over!
    Best Wishes and Blessings,
    Amanda

  35. You got an incredible treasure for an even more incredible price Sherry! Good for you and your sweet Honey for taking you. ANxious to see the finished product.
    Enjoy!
    Mimi

  41. What a gorgeous vanity….it is just perfect for your bedroom!!!! I am going to check out that hand sanitizer for sure…thanks for the tip! Can't wait to see the new piece painted and in your room :o)
    ~Des

  42. That is the most darling vanity I have ever seen Sherry…at least it WILL be when you are done with it! It is such a great piece and that price is incredible. It will be perfect in your bedroom and I can't wait to see the transformation! 🙂
    Vanessa

  43. Sherry, what a great find, and the price wow! I had not seen your bed before, and agree it will be perfect!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    I have a New, very fashionable Giveaway from the Shabby Apple on my site! Come and enter!

  47. Sherry, that vanity was meant to be yours! It goes so well with your bed. I can't wait to see it all painted. I have been to a few auctions and they make me so nervous! My very first win was a set of blue ball jars. I was a happy camper!

  48. Sherry, the vanity is simply perfect…and a bargain, too! Don't you love it when you finally find what you've been looking for?

  53. So worth the wait…and the drive…and the price…what, are you serious? I know you would have still been happy had you paid more, but just goes to show that good things come to those who wait. Enjoy!

  55. Hi Sherry, I enjoyed reading this post. I can relate . . . yesterday we drove for an hour + traffic to purchase a vintage silver tinsel tree with the color wheel . . . this is what my hub likes to purchase and resell. Love doing this stuff together. He has his finds and I have mine :).
    Your vanity will look fantastic with your bed. Perfect. Look forward to seeing it finished.
    ~ Julie

  56. This piece is fabulous! I dug my heels in once at an auction…and I got the piece. It was my crock butter churn complete with paddle. I still have it. I paid $40.00 and that was like 30 years ago!

  58. I can see that your piece was definitely worth the drive! Gorgeous! I love auctions, too. In my part of Wisconsin I can items at really good prices, too. They are so fun!

  59. OMG Sherry, it's gorgeous. It is perfect for your bedroom. I love auctions where there isn't a lot of competition!
    It was definitely worth the 4 hour drive.
    I am glad you came to THT.
    Rhonda

  61. oooooo! I am trying not to be jealous because I have a vanity table on my wish list… No really – I am happy for you! Can't wait to see the finished product!

  62. Wow. That is a perfect match to your bed. Or will be after a little paint. The four hour drive was well worth it.

  66. I LOVE the vanity and your luscious bed!! What a deal. Beautiful!!! Thank you so much for sharing. Is there no way to get your blog via email?? I have looked and can't find a way, what am I missing? Besides your blog every day?? Thanks!! Take care, VBg

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