From Damaged Desk to Dreamy Nightstands: A Special Makeover for My Granddaughter

What do you do with a beat-up antique vanity that’s seen better days?

You cut it in half, give it some love, and turn it into a pair of whimsical nightstands fit for a four-year-old princess. 💕

This transformation started with a forgotten vanity that had tons of potential but even more damage. The sides were too far gone, so I cut the desk in half and replaced the panels with ¼” plywood for a clean, solid base.

Bringing in the Scallops

The original top was also beyond saving, so I traced a scalloped design onto some old wood I had in the shop. I cut it with a scroll saw blade and my jigsaw, then attached it to each side to give it a charming, custom silhouette.

I popped off the original molding and added wood roofing strips to the sides and front using my trusty brad nailer. The drawer fronts were still a little rough, so I reached for my go-to Filler & Sandable Primer Spray, let it cure for several hours, then wet sanded and primed again until they were baby-smooth.

Time to Paint

I used Wise Owl One Hour Enamel in the shade Daydream—a soft, dreamy blush pink that was made for this kind of project. I applied two coats, waiting 4–6 hours between coats and sanding lightly in between for that flawless finish.

🖌️ Favorite brush & roller combo? Linked it all for you here: Supplies Used

The Finishing Touches

I lined the drawers, added new gold hardware, and—though I usually skip the topcoat with Wise Owl OHE—I made an exception. Since these were going in my granddaughter’s room, I added a layer of my favorite Polyvine Wax Finish Varnish for extra durability.