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Hey there, sweet friends – Happy Labor Day!
I promise I haven’t disappeared! Life’s just been a little crazy, and this adorable human who recently moved up from Florida has been keeping me busy.
(Seriously… look at my hair – I’m serving full-on Marsha Brady vibes right now!)
So, a few weekends ago, I was out with my mom and sister-in-law on the hunt for home stuff for their places. We ended up at a Habitat Restore we hadn’t visited before. I was totally there for them… until I walked out with FIVE things for myself. Yep. Five. That’s how it goes, right? The moment you aren’t looking for anything is exactly when you stumble upon all the treasures you didn’t know you needed.
Normally, I’m not super lucky with thrift stores – either things are marked SOLD or the prices make me do a double take. But that day? Magic. Everything I loved was still there AND 30% off. You better believe I couldn’t resist.
But THIS was the real gem of the day…
Tucked way in the back, hidden under a pile of random donations, I spotted it. A gorgeous PB Teen-style vanity with a matching stool and full-length mirror – practically brand new. I shuffled through the chaos, took a picture, and immediately sent out a group text to my friends. “WHO NEEDS THIS? I can’t leave it here!!!”
No one bit. Seriously, how could no one need this? It was driving me nuts.
I texted Hannah – my daughter – practically begging her to find space. “You NEED this in your life, but honestly… your room is packed. No way this fits.” I could already picture how cute it would be, but yeah – not happening.
Cue the praying hands emojis… “Mom, please!! I love it, I love it, I love it! It’s the best thing EVER.”
Well, how could I say no?
(Definitely kicking myself for not saving this for Christmas – who knew a piece of furniture could get such a dramatic reaction?)
Fast forward to a little clean-up session… and wow. Look at this cutie!
The stool just needed some love – a good scrub and a little paint. And that fabric? Gone.
I finally got to use my favorite Secret Gate fabric in the blossom colorway. It’s the perfect pop of pink to match Hannah’s closet.
Even the hardware was adorable, but we gave it a glow-up with crystal knobs and a little gold Rub n’ Buff for some glam.
One teen girl’s thrift store score = a dreamy, stylish vanity makeover.
The Rub ‘n Buff trick really did the job on the cabinet hardware – such a simple change, but it totally transformed the vibe. It went from playful and young to something a little more polished and grown-up. Perfect for a teen girl stepping into her “young adult” era, right?
That soft, gold finish gave the knobs this gorgeous vintage patina, almost like the old hardware I found on a side table during another thrift trip. (Yes, the side table was also a Habitat Restore treasure. I’m telling you – that place never lets me down!)
But let’s talk about storage – because wow, this vanity has it all! For a 16-year-old with endless scrunchies, hair clips, and beauty must-haves, it’s the dream setup. Every drawer is packed neatly with all the little things that usually clutter up the bathroom counter. I swear, if it wasn’t for this vanity, I’d still be finding bobby pins all over the house!
Oh, and remember that console table I repurposed into a slim desk for this room? Yeah… that one’s gone now. It was cute while it lasted, but Hannah never really used it for homework. Her massive, comfy bed? That’s her real workspace. The desk found its way to my sister-in-law’s place, where it’s living its best life as, well… a console table again! Funny how things work out.
Honestly, I think my boys are a little jealous. Their rooms get one setup – and that’s it. Meanwhile, Hannah’s space? Constantly evolving. It’s like an ongoing project, but I love finding new ways to make her room feel special and reflect her style as she grows.
If you’re curious about anything from this thrifted makeover, here’s the rundown:
- Habitat Restore – Old Colony Habitat Restore, Attleboro, MA (my secret spot for hidden gems!)
- Fabric – Braemore Secret Gate in Blossom (still obsessed)
- Knobs – Acrylic crystal-style, but they look just like the real thing.
- Rub ‘n Buff – Grecian Gold – the MVP of this project.
- Hot Pink Drawer Paint – Benjamin Moore’s Springtime Bloom (because a pop of color inside a drawer = instant happiness).
Thrift store scores like this vanity makeover are the best – proof that you don’t need to break the bank to create a dream teen girl room!
