"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

MORE SURPRISING SALVAGE RENOVATIONS: sunset.com/salvage* Start with a vibrant color splash (we used Charlotte's Locks paint by Farrow & Ball; 1pt ., $30; farrow-ball.com).* DecoColor Liquid Gold Opaque Paint Marker defines small details ($2.50; amazon.com* A Preval spray gun makes painting furniture easy ($10; preval.com).* Extra credit: Tuck a collection of photos under a glass top (when ordering glass, ask for clear spacers).* If there are drawers, do they slide smoothly in their tracks? If not, walk on by.BY MIRANDA JONES | PROJECT BY AARON JONES* Stick to pieces made from solid wood; you'll run into trouble trying to sand a veneer.HOW TO TELL IF YOU'VE GOT A KEEPER* A Mona Lisa Gold Leaf Kit (from Flax; $11; 415/552-2355) adds gilded drama to the dull drawer pulls.

BY MIRANDA JONES | PROJECT BY AARON JONES