vintage vanity makeover

Some furniture pieces carry stories you can feel. This little desk used to belong to my grandma - when she was a kid, she did her homework here.

Decades later, I brought it home and gave it a new life: a cozy vanity corner for slow mornings and quiet evenings. It’s simple, second-hand, and just the right kind of imperfect.

the idea:

My apartment doesn’t have space for a full dressing area, but I wanted a small spot that felt intentional - a place to keep my jewelry and start the day without rushing.

When I found this old desk at my grandma’s house, it just clicked. The size, the wood tone, the memory... all perfect!

the refresh:

I didn’t do a full makeover, just a few thoughtful updates to make it mine:

• Cleaned and oiled the wood to bring back its color

• Changed the handle for a new ceramic one to give it a softer, more modern touch

• Added a couple of L-shaped metal brackets underneath to strengthen the structure (it had a slight wobble, and now it’s solid again)

• Added a simple thrifted mirror, leaning instead of mounted

• Placed a ceramic pitcher with lilies for freshness

• Used a small tray to hold everyday jewelry

• Kept the rest minimal and natural

No paint, no sanding marathon - just small fixes, quiet details, and a bit of care. Now it sits by the wall where the light hits softly in the mornings. It’s not perfect but that’s part of why I love it.

if you want to create your own vanity corner:

• Look for small second-hand desks or tables, anything that fits your space

• Keep one color palette (warm wood + neutral accents always work)

• Layer textures: a vase, a woven tray, a framed photo

• Don’t overthink it, the best corners are the ones that feel lived-in

This wasn’t about a makeover, it was about giving something loved a new role.