I have been on the hunt for the perfect cosmetic storage setup for quite some time now. I have looked into the classic YouTube and beauty blogger setup via the Ikea Malm and Alex 5 or 9 Drawer Storage Unit, but decided that I wanted to go a more unique route.
I am a lover of all things vintage. I truly believe that if there is such a thing as past lives, then I have definitely lived before as a Victorian Lady or a Flapper who out-Charleston'd her companions. I have been relentlessly haunting my local Craigslist ads searching the vintage desk or dresser listings for "the one". Something that satisfied both my storage needs and my vintage yearnings.
First, I found the most beautiful vanity desk that ever lived. It is a French Provincial style desk that I am using as a vanity. With two main drawers up top and three additional drawers on the left side, it was just what I was looking for in terms of makeup storage. I ADORE French Provincial style furniture! The lines of the French Provincial style are just so classically glamorous Hollywood of yore. I was able to score this beautiful piece for a mere $65!
As roomy as the vanity is, it doesn't store all of my makeup. I started out with a few sets of Muji drawers on the top to help, but I felt that it looked too cluttered and took away from the charm of this vintage beauty. So, I have started searching for the perfect chest of drawers that would help to store the overflow and I finally found her last week! I found a matching lingerie chest with five drawers for $95 that is going to be my version of an Alex Storage Unit. The lady that I bought the lingerie chest from kindly threw in a matching mirror that she said she no longer has a use for. I had been searching for something just like this to rehab as well, and I was so excited to get it for free since most sellers had been asking for $75+ on Craigslist.
The chest is definitely in vintage condition, it's much worse off than the desk. It has quite a few bumps and scrapes and paint is missing in many different places. One of the claw foot legs is a bit loose, but my honey said that it's an easy fix to tighten. The bones of all three pieces are gorgeous and thankfully the flaws are just cosmetic.
So far, my out of pocket costs for all three pieces is only $160. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect chair for my new vanity. I will save my plans for breathing new life into these beauties for another day, so be sure to check back soon to see what I have in mind. I am eager for the weather here in rainy Seattle to clear so I can start working on my new project.
Do you enjoy refurbishing old pieces of furniture? Which do you prefer, vintage or new?
