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Vintage Bath, Part 2: Repurposing Old Furniture A couple works to turn their plain vanilla bathroom into a vintage spa retreat. Check out more value-enhancing home projects from Sweat Equity. From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-209

This stylized towel rack is made from the handles of vintage hand-drills.

Homeowner Kristen's style comes through the most when she decides to repurpose some items for her bathroom. For this bathroom makeover, using vintage motifs, an old buffet becomes a vanity, French doors become a linen closet and some antique drills become a towel rack.

Below is a summary of the basic steps as seen in this Sweat Equity project, as well as a list of materials and tools used and some installation tips.

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Materials:

natural bristle brush
steel wool
old paint brushes
durable rubber paint scraper or putty knife
drop cloth (plastic and/or canvas)
clean dry rags
paper towels
newspaper
sanding block
orbital sander
sandpaper (100-120 grit)
tack cloth
stripper or lacquer thinner (depending on original finish)
mineral spirits
stain
seal
buffet
basin sinks
faucet
sink plumbing
French doors
door handles
hinges
antique drills
wood plank
U-shaped fasteners
screws
rust spray paint

Safety Alerts:

• Chemical strippers are highly flammable, so keep them well away from any open flames

• Chemical strippers can be harmful if inhaled and can burn your skin, so wear proper safety gear, such as safety goggles, rubber gloves, long sleeves and pants, and a ventilator.

Repurposing Wood Furniture

Tips:

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

• For this project, do all stripping work in one day. Don't allow the paint to re-dry.

• Work with a good light source so you can see any missed spots of paint or varnish.

• Disassemble the furniture as much as possible to reach & remove all old finish.

• If the stripper evaporates off the wood too rapidly, cover it with wax paper.

Steps:

• For the buffet, cut holes in the tops for the basin drains to sit (figure A), and silicone seal around the sink. Hire a plumber to install pipes beneath the buffet.

• Place into the room and hook up the plumbing behind (figure B). Install faucets and hardware.

• For the doors, remove any old paint with wood stripper or sanding blocks (figure C).

• Stain to your desired color.

• Use heavy hinges and hang the doors, install desired hardware (figure D).

• For the towel rack, use "U" shaped fasteners to attach the antique drills at the top and bottom (figure E) to a stained wood plank. Use a rust spray to make the give the fasteners an antique patina.

• Install the plank on the wall, checking level.

RESOURCES :

Resources for Sweat Equity, episode 209:

contractor: Todd Wyatt
Father and Son Carpentry

Sansiro USA
Website: www.sansirousa.com

Dal-Tile Corporation
Website: www.daltile.com

Basco Shower Enclosures
Website: www.daltile.com