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An "ugly duckling" project!

Kathy Stantz, contributor

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Here's what you get for $1.99 at a thrift store...what the heck was I thinking???

Well, I did have an idea of what to do with it - And, white definitely improved its appearance...somewhat!

Ta-da!!  (This is "all girl"!!)

A close-up of the skirt.

And a little vintage decoration for fun!

Here's what you get for $1.99 at a thrift store...what the heck was I thinking???

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Here is my "ugly duckling" project...AND, it was really ugly...

I bought this at a local thrift store for a huge cost of $1.99!  It appeared to be (at least to me anyway...junker brain and all...) a child-sized kidney-shaped (sort of) vanity - with the little arms that opened up in front.  HOWEVER, it also looked like someone had slapped the kinda cute top of the vanity onto an old picnic table bench or something - very ugly legs - but I saw it and had to have it.  I'm sure people were wondering what the heck I had bought it for as I was checking out, but oh well...

Anyway - the first thing to do was to give it that magic coat of white paint - and voila...the ugly legs didn't look "quite" as bad, right??  The next thing to do was dress it up with a pretty skirt, so I measured and sewed (by machine and by hand) pieces of a vintage chenille bedspread and a lace tablecloth to create a cover-up for those poor legs (they are sturdy - but not so cute).  I added some colorful doilies, flowers, trims, etc., and gave it a whole lotta girly foo-foo.  And, since you can't have a vanity without a mirror...I searched through my junk for one to fit between the spindles (that wasn't easy, but my husband helped me make it work - what a great team!).

I found a chair at an antique market for $10 - and painted it, and put matching fabric on the seat - these two were MFEO (Gretchen???).   I actually bought two, and this one was "just the right size"!

I think it turned out so cute...and was hoping someone else would think so - at our antique show.  You know sometimes you think something is really cool, but maybe other people might not get it...well - that was my thought...  Anyway, this ugly duckling story has a happy ending.  A lady saw it, and fell in love with it - she's a photographer and is going to use it for photo shoots - isn't that awesome?  So, it found a good home - and will live its next life "happily ever after" in a photo studio!  Lots of little princesses will sit there and get caught up in all that little girl fun!!  Too sweet!! :)

P.S.  Does it sound like I had too much fun with this???  I guess I did!

Kathy

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Comments (22)

shabbychick writes: Thanks Jen! A fun project - and you're right - very girly!! :)

Kathy Posted: 8:39 am on February 11th

CreepinJen writes: Wow - I probably would have paid 1.99 to use as fire wood and would have totally missed the potential you found. Now that's a talent! So cute and girly. My favortie touch are the little pink dingle-balls. Nice job! Posted: 6:10 pm on February 4th

shabbychick writes: Thanks girls!

Patti - I know what you mean about prices in some thrift stores - sometimes some "junk" sneaks through and you find a deal!

Geo - I'm expecting you to come up with a little vanity for "play time"! You could use a child's desk or small table, add a mirror, etc. and "poof"...it'd be ready for some magic!!

Take care, Kathy Posted: 12:36 pm on February 2nd

1retrogal writes: Very nice transformation!
Karen Posted: 12:24 am on February 2nd

upyourattic writes: Very, very nice - I really like the way you layered all of the linens on it - that really makes it all the more wonderful!!

Great job! My thrift shop thinks it's an antique shop now so you got a great deal, too! The only thing mine charges $1.99 for is $1.00 Store items!

Thanks for sharing and lets see more!

Patti Posted: 10:00 am on January 30th

georgiamoon writes: Oooh, it is sooo pretty. I being a girly-girl myself and encouraging my nieces to be the same, would love to have something EXACTLY like this to perform our little miracles. We love to dress up and do our make-up...what a lovely place for just that. Every little child that gets her picture taken there will definitely feel like the most beautiful princess, and you gave that to them...great job, Georgia Posted: 12:28 pm on January 29th

shabbychick writes: Thanks Sharon - Sometimes a "thing" just kind of grabs you (and subconsciously...begs you to take it home!). (It's those junking voices in our heads...).

Now, on to my next "almost" hopeless cause...well, maybe I'll wait till after vacation!! :)

Kathy Posted: 9:46 am on January 29th

saclark writes: Kathy- You really did start with an "ugly duckling". But what a great transformation! I don't know that I would have been able to see the possiblities. Great job!!!

Sharon Posted: 7:30 pm on January 28th

shabbychick writes: Thanks again! I love that you all love it too! All of us just have too much fun with our junking stuff! (Well...I don't think there's such a thing as too much fun...) ;)

I'm glad it found a good home - and I'm hoping to get a pic from the photographer from one of her shoots!

Kathy Posted: 4:44 pm on January 28th

rebeljunker writes: Hi Shabbychick
You inspire me!! There isn't anything "shabby" about this project!! I had to go back and forth several times, and make sure that this was the right picture! Like Junkermidge says "ugly duckling into a beautiful, beautiful swan". Happy junking, Di. Posted: 4:22 pm on January 28th

shamrockerin writes: Oh my gosh! That is just GORGEOUS! I am so envious right now! Posted: 2:04 pm on January 28th

Tuttibelle writes: I like it! Fun how "knowing" something is just right for a project. Posted: 12:59 pm on January 28th

suewhitney writes: Ah hahaha! Great project, great story! This tale certainly does have a happy ending. Way to go Kathy!

Take care,
Sue Posted: 10:00 am on January 28th

fellowjunker writes: Your SWAN IS SOOOOOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL KATHY!!! I love how you incorporated the vintage textiles. You have a great eye!!
xojanis Posted: 9:20 am on January 28th

SantaClaus writes: I absolutely am a firm believer in "recycling" - it's amazing how creative we are with "JUNK" - I've always been a dumpster diver and am proud of it! Posted: 7:01 am on January 28th

Junk_Sophisticate writes: How cute is that! So perfect for a photo prop and way better than some of the cheapy looking props I've seen over the years. Your vision turned out beautifully!
Glad it found a home.
Candy Posted: 5:59 am on January 28th

irishrovr writes: A lovely Cinderella story!!

http://ruralwisconsin.blogspot.com/ Posted: 12:41 am on January 28th

shabbychick writes: Thanks you guys- I really appreciate your comments! It's so much fun to see a project evolve. I got the vanity in November, worked on it off and on and got the chair last month...and just got the mirror attached (a couple days before the show). I guess it was really an extreme makeover!

Kathy

Posted: 11:04 pm on January 27th

JunkArchitect writes: I keep going back and forth between photos because I can’t believe it’s the same piece. What a difference…it came out great. Posted: 10:35 pm on January 27th

MimiToria writes: Way to go Kathy! I have used my daughter Emily for my jewelry business card for years, sitting at an adult version of one of these tables. I'm so glad it will be a photo prop that lots of little girls will get to have their photos taken at. You truly have an eye for junk revisions and the how to's of turning them into useful and beautiful projects once again.
Gretchen Posted: 8:45 pm on January 27th

LuAnn writes: Kathy:

What a great transformation. Any little girl would love this. Great great job!!!!!!

LuAnn Posted: 6:38 pm on January 27th

junkermidge writes: WOWWWW! That truly is an ugly duckling into a beautiful, beautiful swan. To go from what is was to professional photo shoots is really remarkable. What vision you have. Great, great job!

Midge Posted: 6:28 pm on January 27th

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