I found this vintage vanity on a local barter-and-trade site for just $50. I’d been searching for the right one for years, and the moment I saw it, I knew it had the potential to become something I’d truly love and use. The frame was solid, but the veneer had definitely seen better days. My first task was clear: strip away the damaged surface to reveal the beauty hidden beneath.
At first, I tried using heat to loosen the veneer, but quickly realized patience was my greatest tool. With a straight-edge razor and a few putty knives, I slowly peeled and chipped away at the stubborn layers, piece by piece. It wasn’t glamorous—certainly the least enjoyable part of the process—but each section I removed felt like uncovering history. Eventually, the vanity stood stripped to its bare bones.