"We found it by the curb!" When we saw this discarded vanity, we thought, Can one person's trash really be another's treasure? The answer is absolutely—meet our smashing new desk

SHOPPING LIST: OUR SECRET WEAPONS

* Start with a vibrant color splash (we used Charlotte's Locks paint by Farrow & Ball; 1pt ., $30; farrow-ball.com).

* A Preval spray gun makes painting furniture easy ($10; preval.com).

* A Mona Lisa Gold Leaf Kit (from Flax; $11; 415/552-2355) adds gilded drama to the dull drawer pulls.

* DecoColor Liquid Gold Opaque Paint Marker defines small details ($2.50; amazon.com

* Extra credit: Tuck a collection of photos under a glass top (when ordering glass, ask for clear spacers).

HOW TO TELL IF YOU'VE GOT A KEEPER

* Look for quality: If the legs seem uneven, it's likely the whole piece of furniture is warped, so take a pass.

* Stick to pieces made from solid wood; you'll run into trouble trying to sand a veneer.

* If there are drawers, do they slide smoothly in their tracks? If not, walk on by.

MORE SURPRISING SALVAGE RENOVATIONS: sunset.com/salvage

BY MIRANDA JONES | PROJECT BY AARON JONES

Author: Miranda Jones