Hello everyone!
In true me fashion, I completely forgot to take a proper “before” photo of this piece (facepalm moment!). I found this charming little dry sink on Facebook Marketplace for just $30. It had definitely seen better days — the wood was covered in water stains and it was looking a little sad and tired.
I wanted to use it as a new end table in my Bedroom, so I chose a colour I’m currently smitten with: Weathervane by Wise Owl One Hour Enamel Paint. It’s the perfect cozy green with a touch of warmth, and I knew it would bring this piece back to life in the best way.
Keep reading to see how this little washstand got its glow-up!
Materials Used
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Wise Owl One Hour Enamel Paint in Weathervane
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Dixie Belle Decoupage Paper – Birds
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Bar Keepers Friend
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0000 Steel Wool
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Minwax Oil Stain in Provincial and Special Walnut
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Dixie Belle Top Coat in Satin (used on the wood only)
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Big Mama’s Butta
The Process
I started by removing all the hardware and the cabinet door, then gave the entire piece a thorough clean—first with Dawn dish soap and then once more with TSP to remove any lingering grease, oils, and residue.
Once dry, I lightly scuff-sanded the body with 220 grit, then focused on the top, sanding it down using 60/100/220 grits with my DeWalt variable-speed orbital sander. I began with 60 grit because the surface had several heavy water stains that needed extra work to remove.
With the surface prepped, I applied two coats of Minwax Provincial, followed by one coat of Special Walnut, which gave the wood a beautifully rich, blended tone.
Next, I painted the body, drawers, and door using Wise Owl One Hour Enamel in Weathervane—the dreamiest, moody deep green-grey! I absolutely adore this colour. I will say, Wise Owl can be a bit tricky if you're not using a sprayer. I’m still too nervous to use mine, so I worked around it by applying the paint with a foam roller and then lightly brushing it out with my Fusion Mineral’s flat brush. I completed two coats, sanding between each with 400 grit for a smooth, refined finish.
To add a charming custom touch, I hand-painted the dovetail joints with a small round brush. It’s a subtle detail, but it really makes the dovetails pop and draws attention to that beautiful craftsmanship.
To bring in a bit of charm and character, I added vintage-inspired decoupage paper to the inside of the drawers and the back of the cabinet door. It can be a little fussy to work with, but the end result was so worth it. The delicate design adds a beautiful surprise each time you open it, and I absolutely love how it turned out.
Before sealing everything up, I wanted to revive the interior wood. You could really see the water marks and dryness, so I applied Big Mama’s Butta to the bare wood to give it some much-needed hydration, nourishment, and protection. It brought the wood back to life beautifully!
For durability, I sealed the top with Dixie Belle Top Coat in Satin, which added a soft sheen while protecting the newly stained finish.
And just like that — she was done!
She’s now listed on Facebook Marketplace and waiting for her new owner. I just can’t help myself — I never seem to keep any of my flips!
Thank you so much for reading, and I hope this little makeover inspires you to try a furniture flip of your own!
– J
Furniture + Refinishing