Were these tables originally painted?

Many nineteenth-century pine pieces received applied paint, stencilling, or scumble glazing when first made. This finish protected the softwood and imitated more costly timbers or added decorative colour to bedroom furniture. Original surfaces show appropriate signs of age and wear, which distinguishes them from later repainted or stripped examples.

Can I use a washstand as a vanity table?

Historic washstands adapt readily to modern vanity use, offering useful surface space and often integrated drawer storage. Adding a tabletop mirror replicates the function of a traditional dressing table. Their original construction to hold basins and jugs makes them well-suited for bathroom or bedroom placement where moisture resistance is beneficial.

Pitch pine is a heavier, more resinous softwood timber utilised in nineteenth-century cabinet making for its strength and distinct grain. It resists wear better than standard pine varieties. Tables built from pitch pine often exhibit a darker, warmer tone and substantial weight compared to their lighter softwood counterparts.