Musical dressers
March 13, 2011
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If you remember back last May, I showed you the Bub’s big boy room redo:
A few months later I realized I needed to find a new solution for his clothing storage. I had installed really cool slide out bins in the closet, but many of them were too tall for the Bub to get to.
So I started thinkin’. And searching…on Craigslist. :)
And I found a beautiful dresser for about $100 and was SO excited. It was adorable:
A little too adorable – it was teensy tiny. That’s the thing with Craigslist though – no returns.
I had planned to paint it, but I wanted to live with it for awhile, and I’m so glad I did. Whenever I hesitate for, oh…six months or so – I know there’s something not quite right. ;)
It’s been about six months since I got it, and it took about five months and two weeks to realize there’s was NO way it was enough storage. I mean, my boy’s clothes are still pretty small, but there were just six little bitty drawers and it just wasn’t working.
So I searched, and searched. And searched some more. For months. I was on my Craigslist app every day or two, looking for that perfect dresser for this spot. Couldn’t find a thing (for the price I wanted to pay).
Fast forward to one day a few weeks ago. While sitting in our family room, I gazed over at the lovely dresser (another Craigslist find) and thought to myself,
“Self, a dresser just like that is exactly what I’m looking for in the Bub’s room.”
(Ignore those cords. You SO know I dealt with them.)
Hmmm. If only I had another beautiful, long dresser that I could replace that one with.
Enter one more Craigslist search last Friday.
Alas my dear Squeezies, the day had finally arrived. The heavens shined down on a listing for a beeeeautiful, long, Henredon (aka well made, gorgeous, fantastic) dresser.
The measurements were PERFECT. The color was PERFECT. The storage…PERFECT.
It would be mine. And so it was. Mine.
And I gotta tell you, I have been meeting the nicest people buying through Craig and his List. We bought this dresser from an older couple who were downsizing and moving to Florida to be closer to their kids and grandkids. We chatted with them for some time, just hanging out. The woman loaded up my Goodwill stuff in her car for her next trip (it was hard fitting it all in my car with the dresser), AND…they were sure my husband was about 15 years younger than he really is.
He liked them a LOT. ;)
Anyhoo – the patience paid off. The old family room dresser came up to the Bub’s room, and I am in LURVE:
I love the warm tone of the wood with the classic colors in his room:
It’s a little worn on the top, which is just fine for a little boy’s room:
I didn’t do much accessorizing – just put Squishy (the second? third?) up there, stacked some books in a wire crate I found in my father-in-law’s house (LOVE), and a couple other pieces I had:
Awhile back I scrubbed the rust off of the crate and sealed it. I put a bunch of felt protectors on the bottom of so it won’t damage the dresser.
I love having something of my father-in-law’s in our son’s room. :)
It only took about FOREVER, but I finally found the just right dresser for that spot.
And the new piece looks fantastic in the family room:
The Scooby Doo haunted house to the right is the perfect finishing touch, yes? :)
Don’t you love those knobs?:
It’s so beautiful, and in fantastic condition.
And the best part…such a perfect spot to hide toys:
Perfectly hidden, and easy to put away.
I’m using dressers all over our house now -- they’re not just for clothes anymore:
Sigh. Oh my. I love it.
Big FAT double thump to the chest at ya Craig!! Yo YO.
And lest you think I have it all together, this proves that I chuck stuff out of the pictures:
That would be the rest of our family room. :)
No more dresser searches for me now though – we’re maxed out here, finally. For reals, no more. The black one will go in the guest room, and it will be so lovely in that space. But NO MORE. Pinky swear. I’m saying it here so I will stick to it. :)
So, what about you? Do you love dressers like I love dressers? Looking for that just right piece? Taking awhile?
Patience grasshopper, it will come to you…in about six months or so.
P.S. One hundred pennies to the person who can find the bit of Christmas left in the Bub’s room. I keep forgetting about it. :)
I am loving dressers right now too! I have been haunting our CL but there is nothing on there. Boo. I did see that little Bear on the bookshelf with his red Santa hat and suit on. :) The new dresser is BEAUTIFUL! Hoping I can find a beauty soon myself but if not, I'll just keep checking. Love the family room photo btw, I do the same thing!
ReplyDeleteYour old dresser looks fantastic in bub's room & the new one is gorgeous!! I am looking for a new dresser myself for our entryway...I've been searching craigslist, but nothing just yet!! Definitely gonna keep looking though!!
ReplyDeleteChristmas bear?
ReplyDeleteChristmas bear!
ReplyDeleteI LURVE dressers. In my house with no storage they have saved my life. LURVE them. Husband, not so much, LOL!
K.
I love the old dresser in our dining area...the drawers are full of craft/art supplies, paper, coloring books, etc...
ReplyDeleteI spy a Santa Scooby Doo?
I love, love Bub's new dresser! It's perfect!
ReplyDelete(Love his little Santa Bear, too!)
wow, i love this! looks great
ReplyDeleteand btw, i really love your blog! today i did a refashion that i think you'd like, a lace-cut out t-shirt that is no-sew! and easy to do with very little time.
come and visit me at:
thestyleprojects.blogspot.com
thanks! sharde
santa bear...top shelf!? looks like other thrifties beat me to the punch though! ha!
ReplyDeletei LOVE dressers! love 'em! i just redid my first one right after christmas, painted her turquoise and put her in my craftroom. i love it! i want to find two more, but am not actively looking super hard (so many other projects)! i want to put one in our family/living room and then mount the tv on the wall once i have a dresser that serves as a stand that i adore and i want to do one in the game room too. same thing, mount the tv on the wall, once i find the perfect piece, but can't do it until i get the dresser for placement purposes! think this mighta been the push i needed! great, here i come craiglist!
I agree...the old dresser looks fab in Bub's room. I love the new dresser too, it's just what I am looking for to use as a buffet in my dining room, only thanks to your dresser usage ideas!
ReplyDeleteI would have never, ever, ever in a million, bazillion years have thought to use a dresser for anything other than...wait for it... a dresser, to put clothes in. Doh... Now all I want is a beautiful dresser for a buffet. I guess I will just have to be a bit more patient with Craig and his list!!
What a fantastic find and switch-a-roo! I am sooo looking for a dresser or buffet for our entryway. It is such a hustle bustle spot because our back door is a L-O-N-G way from where we park and is not covered, so the front door is THE door. Shoes drive me insane, so I have corralled them on these neat plastic boot trays I got at Tar-jay for $5 a piece, not attractive, but functional for now. I have no where for my purse, half the time I can't find my keys, etc. Soooo...I am dreaming of the day Craig provides me with my answer! Until then I will deal..I will, really...I won't strangle any boys...not me! ;)
ReplyDeleteAlso, did you forget the Christmas outfit on the teddy?
Thanks for the ideas! I so love your site! I am excited to see what you have up your sleeve next!
Love your Bub's room! Do I spy a gingerbread toy on the bookshelf?
ReplyDeleteSanta Bear on the top shelf!! unfortunately I am not the first to spot it. Darn!
ReplyDeleteLove your dressers. They look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I just have to sympathize with a younger-looking husband. My husband is nearly six years older than I am, but he has always had such a baby face. I always say that when we get older, people are going to ask him, "What are you doing with that old lady cougar?" ;-)
Love both of them! The old dresser looks great in bub's room and the new one is perfect for the family room!
ReplyDeleteLove the great find! Don't you just love Craigslist?? I'm having a coffee table issue right now. I have four coffee tables right now and only one room to put said coffee table in. I think it's time to stop buying coffee tables. Dressers would be a much better thing to buy too much of because I could actually use those anywhere in the house! Ah - a new plan has been hatched I'm sure the hubby will be oh so thrilled.
ReplyDeleteha ha cute - the christmas bear!
ReplyDeleteI am having the same issue myself - with dressers - I need one for in my closet, and I want solid wood so I can repaint it if i feel the need. It can be older than my mother, with knobs missing, and scratched all over - just has to be solid, with well moving drawers, and of course, cheap. I found the perfect one for FREE, and i never got a response from the seller... the add is still up and i cry inside everytime i see it.... i look everyday for the dresser that awaits me. I need a second ones to use as a taller side table in my family room, and a coffee table "chest" for storage... one day...
yep - it has to be the bear on the bookshelf!!
ReplyDeleteI love the cute little Santa Bear! And the dresser is great!
ReplyDeleteI just bought a dresser for my front hallway and my husband thought I was crazy. He wanted to know where I planned to fit the bed. But after a friend accessorized it for me and after reading this post he no longer thinks I'm crazy! Thanks for this post. Perfect timing. ;)
ReplyDeleteSarah, it is absolutely perfect there. And you are so right, the warmth of that piece goes so beautifully with the bright, rich colors in your son's room. ♥ it! Great job!
ReplyDeletethe furniture you gals find on craigslist makes me want to move to America! Love the dressers!
ReplyDeleteThere's a cute little bear on the bookshelf.. Is that the Christmas left over? :)
ReplyDeleteI am so incredibly jealous of your craigslist fings.. The listings in my area are so incredibly not good. :( so sad is my soul because I could use some good finds..
oh well :) maybe someday - in six months :D
Those dressers are gorgeous!I'm glad you aren't painting them!
ReplyDeleteLove the switcheroo. I think it looks really good in that room and the natural color of it pairs well with the rest of the room! :)
ReplyDeleteDressers are like cookies...can't stop at 10!!!
ReplyDeleteI am normally not a fan of "oaky" looking pieces but that looks fantastic! Great job!!! Oh and I saw the bear!! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat find! The old one looks great in the Bub's room, and I too love that you left it natural wood. It really warms the space. The new one is awesome. Dressers definitely aren't just for bedrooms anymore!!!
ReplyDeleteI spied that Santa stuffed animal but only after you said something about it.
ReplyDeleteI have a dresser/ changing table (it looks way more like a dresser) that I might just be inspired now to move and use it elsewhere. That is if my lovely husband will carry the thing downstairs for me.
Everything looks organized and fresh! I so love how every room looks!
ReplyDeleteLove the new dresser, Sarah! It fits the space so nicely. :) You did a great job with the accessories too. I haven't had much (okay, any) luck with our local CL. I search it a lot, and mostly find 80s style wicker couches. :s
ReplyDeleteI LOVE dressers, and I'm with you--they're definitely not just for clothes! One of my favorites is in my foyer. There I lined a few of the drawers with black felt and use it to store all our various camera equipment.
ReplyDeleteAnother dresser holds most of my gift-wrapping supplies. I'd love to have one of those cool wrapping stations, but since I don't, a dresser works just fine.
I'm guessing you're talking about the bear on the top shelf in your boy's room--is he wearing a Santa suit? I never would have noticed if you hadn't mentioned it. I mean, that room has lots of touches of red, right?
Actually I would love having that in my kitchen. Dressers are just so do-able in any room of the house. Love yours!
ReplyDeleteDi
Teddy Bear!
ReplyDeleteYour new dresser is beautiful. Glad you got your deal!
Perfect!
ReplyDeleteCan I say I am so envious of your Craigslist! I can never find great deals on dressers here in the Boston. It's so tough. But one of these days I will find one. I love all your tranformations!
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas Bear on the top bookshelf shelf?
ReplyDeleteLOVE the new dresser! I am currently looking for a dresser for my little girly's room. Sigh. Takes time, but it'll come!
I found Christmas Waldo, lol! Just kidding. Love the dressers, they're stylish and you're reusing. Win win!
ReplyDeleteYou could use Howards-restor-a-finish on the top of the dresser, it works like magic! :D We just got some and I looove it!
ReplyDeleteYour new family room dresser is PERFECT! I adore it, and that looks like something I would buy just for that very reason. I am looking for a dresser like that for my office, so yours was a major score! Your master plan fell into place nicely - love it when that happens! :-)
ReplyDeleteI like that last shot. That's the way homes should be presented more often in blogs and magazines. We can see that it is a well decorated room/home where people are living.
ReplyDeleteWell done.
I found it. I found it. Hate it when little bits of Christmas are still stuck around the house after the Christmas boxes are already packed and in the attic.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to decide what to do with my itty bitty dining area. (It's not even a whole room.) Maybe it needs a dresser? ;)
I just love your blog. It can't be healthy however, to have a craigslist, thriftstore, yard sale, home-makeover itch, whenever I read!!! But Lordknows I need to inspiration! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSanta Bear on the top shelf! ;) I have a love affair with dressers too, actually any large furniture much to my hubby's dismay...buffets, dressers, armoires...I am addicted!
ReplyDeleteI love dressers too...guess I was ahead of the times. ;) I've had one in my dining room, living, and foyer for YEARS.
ReplyDeleteTeddy bear on the built in is dressed as Santa!
ReplyDeleteLove it. I have a dresser in my boys' room that I reworked a little. I love its mid-century lines.
ReplyDeleteI have a thing for lots of things that is why I have dressers all over!
Unfortunately my house is too small for all of them. So I am going to part with my Kent Coffey piece. sad face.
Great switcheroo!
ReplyDeleteIsaw the bear wearing his Santa suit sitting on the white built in shelf right awa - My youger son has a cow with a Santa hat that he just wouldn't let me pack away. Love the dressers-Maybe if I can ever sell this house we'll try something similiar in our new home ( wherever that may be)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous find! I have been looking everywhere for a dresser.
ReplyDeleteSince we put a "for sale" sign in the yard three days ago. I suppose I will wait to find the perfect one. (Maybe that is why I couldn't find one ;) to bring home. Isn't that funny how things work out?)
I spy the santa bear on the bookshelf! I love craigslist for dressers. I have scored some great ones! I am in the midst of high gloss painting two for my girls room. The dressers look fabulous there!
ReplyDeleteI spy the santa bear on the bookshelf! I love craigslist for dressers. I have scored some great ones! I am in the midst of high gloss painting two for my girls room. The dressers look fabulous there!
ReplyDeleteI just bought a dress from Craig and his list this past weekend! I sanded it down and painted that baby WHITE! And now it is happily sitting in my den awaiting new hardware and a pretty new lamp. The best part? I got it for $30!!!!! Best money I've ever spent!
ReplyDeleteI love CL! Been using it for years to furnish my house as well as that of my son & dil. Your dressers look great! Like you, I like utilizing dressers throughout the house. They make great storage units!
ReplyDelete~ Tracy
I heart Craigslist. Completely LOVE that dreser in the foyer. It looks amazing...an even better fit than what you had. And that one looks awesome in your boy's room. I've been scouring craiglist for dressers myself. WE are severely lacking storage in our master bedroom.
ReplyDeleteI spy a Christmas Bear sitting on a shelf. :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I got a dresser off of CraigsList and refurbished it into a sideboard for our kitchen. Took out a couple drawers, built in wine bottle racks and rails to hold our wine & champagne glasses. Then we tiled the top - so we can put hot dishes on there without hotpads. I'm not 100% sold on the color but hey. . .it's growing on me. :)
Love the dressers, what great luck.
ReplyDeleteOf course it's the bear but he is so cute.
Ok I always seem to be the last one to the party and I did see the Christmas bear but that is old news now. :)
ReplyDeleteI need to click on the linky to hiding the cords as that is my pet peeve and have no idea how to tackle this issue.
Love the dresser too!!
DAMN YOU!
ReplyDeleteI am now obsessed with spray paint and took on several projects over the weekend.
And now?! NOW?! I am going to have to obsess over my cords. I have this jumble in my bedroom that I HATE. I haven't figured out how to hide those yet though...
Thanks to YOU and all of your FABULOSITY (damn it) my house is going to be all pretty and lovely...damn you!
The new dresser looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing more beautiful than aged natural wood. The "old stuff" is always made better than what would be available today at a reasonable price. Wonderful to see that you didn't feel the need to paint it!!! Love your blog - it is a daily "must read" for me. Kudos.
Love the dresser!
ReplyDeletePretty sure the leftover Christmas thingy is plugged into the wall socket:)
You can't go wrong with Craigslist (well, I have heard stories but we aren't acknowledging those). I sold an office chair on that site and this handsome man came to pick it up...that handsome hunny is now my husband. Thank you Craigslist.
ReplyDeleteI do love perusing the furniture listings though. It makes my mind start spinning.
Look at the cute little santa bear in the bubs room. Both the dressers look great! Craigslist is the best!
ReplyDeleteI love your new dresser, the Henredon! it looks great in that family room! I soooo love, love, love Craigslist too! I too am on the search, for a few months now, and still have not found the perfect dresser, to be my front room entry way "table", but the searching is sure fun. thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJust wondering where you got the basket with the chalkboard on it?
ReplyDeleteIt is so not fair that you find great things one Craig's List. I only find junk -- or stuff way to expensive! :(
ReplyDeleteI'm loving dressers in every room, too!
Hi, I see it---Scooby Doo in the Santa suit on the shelf.
ReplyDeleteI love your wit and your style!!!!
Kind Regards,
Sharon in NJ
slw_kerr@yahoo.com
Such a totally adorable room. I love it as I am sure little one does.
ReplyDeleteEvery time you do a post about Craig and his list I immediately go on to craigslist and start searching, for what? I don't know. I want to find a fabulous dresser now. I want it to be close by though. It seems every time I find something I like, it is in Philadelphia (I refuse to drive to the city) or it is and hour away.
ReplyDeleteThe puppy looks so cute in its little bed.
ReplyDeleteIf...I know big if, but if, you did end up looking to paint the new dresser in the Bubs room, I would go bold & paint it RED!! I totally think it would pop with the red in his bedspread. Just a thought for that day that may or may not come :)
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas teddy bear on the bookshelf. Only like a million other people beat me to it! I have gotten inspired to use dressers for other purposes other than just clothes as well.
ReplyDeleteAt our cottage, we used a dresser we bought at an auction for a TV stand. We're selling our cottage, but I'm keeping my TV stand!
My husband is also about to scrounge a dresser from his parents' house for me to use as a "credenza" for extra storage in my soon to be sewing/craft room. Dressers rock!!
Gorgeous dresser!
ReplyDeleteThe bear the bear! Looks like the first shot is an after picture where you have taken off his clothes! haha
Love the dressers...I'm going to have to be on the look-out for my home-sweet-home!
ReplyDeleteI love your dresseroo (dresser switcheroo?). I look at Craig's List and never find anything. Same at Goodwill. I'm not doing something right! :)
ReplyDeleteLove both dressers! I am always on Craigslist as well and never come across the deals, you have some luck! I love seeing a well loved and lived in house with the pics of the other side of your LR!
ReplyDeleteI have been so jealous of that first craigslist find since you posted about it. Now I am doubley jealous that you scored another! The wood tone looks great in the Bub's room too!
ReplyDeleteOk, so the dresser you put in your son's room looks just like a buffet and china cabinet set I got on Craiglist last summer. I, too, love them. I'm using the buffet as a TV console and to store kids toys in my living room, too! Oh, and I couldn't bring myself to paint them either. :) Love your new dresser too. I wish I could find nice stuff like that in AZ.
ReplyDeleteI used to have a thing for couches. Had 7 at one point through out my house. I'm down to four which is such a relief. No more couches. I am loving the low dressers I must admit. I picked up a great pine wood one with a dark stained top at auction. It's currently residing in my dining room as a buffet table. Plus I can hide all my linens and chargers in it.
ReplyDeleteI love using dressers, too. :) My last apartment had a huge walk in closet, so I had a small dresser in there and my other dresser held craft supplies! :D Right now I am still using a dresser for craft supplies and am looking for a small one to put in the bathroom. I wanted to repurpose one to make into a kitchen island, but my boyfriend drew the line there! ;) Yours look gorgeous! Congrats on the great craigslist find. :)
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous that you found, not one, but two gorgeous dressers on CL! Well done! I have no such luck here, but I keep going back. :-)
ReplyDeleteLucky girl! I have been looking & looking for a great dresser for our master bedroom. We like you need a really looonnngg dresser to fit a very empty blank wall.
ReplyDeleteI spy with my little eye a Christmas bear on the top shelf of the bookcase. I realized the other day that there is a Christmas angel staring at me in the kids bathroom. She's still there.
We had a dresser that the drawers were falling apart. My husband had repaired them a number of times but the bottom of the drawers just couldn't handle any weight. I started using the dresser as a tv stand and the drawers were perfect for my dvds. I kept them all alphabetized. When we moved we found an an awesome tv cabinet. I still miss those drawers though.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all you were very lucky not to have to paint in the bathroom. This saved you a lot of time. The dresser you found in your son's room is very nice and beautiful. I love the wood tone. You were very lucky to find it.
ReplyDeleteThe new dresser is beautiful. Looks great! If I may ask, where did you find the baskets with the chalkboard labels? I've been looking for something just like that for our nursery.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Dresser! I love finding inexpensive vintage furniture that is in great condition!
ReplyDeleteFabulous blog! so many creative ideas! Would love for you to pop by and visit mine!
As I was scrolling down reading your post, the cursor landed on the picture of your living room with the toys strewn all about (still looks cleaner than mine, btw.) Anyway, the file name of the picture came up as 'yikes'... that totally cracked me up!
ReplyDeleteOH, I (Kate) love dressers and anything really with drawers! I bought a 6 drawered one for a great price and I've been contemplating painting it for oh....2 years now. I feel you on that one! Your new dresser looks AMAZING :)
ReplyDeletewww.littleoffnorth.blogspot.com
oh my you did score some good dressers. i am so jealous. don't worry about the santa bear up there.... i think he looks great. :)
ReplyDeleteI love dressers too. I have no money to buy any right now though. BUT I have been thinking of moving a dresser out of my kids' room to the dining room. The dresser switcheroo worked out perfectly for you. I love the wood look in Bub's room. And the new one is FAB! LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteI spy the Christmas bear!!!
ReplyDeleteYes dressers!!! I am a dresser freak!!!! Thankfully I buy, buy and buy some more and then my mom comes over and buys the ones I don't want!!! I love this game =)
I totally turned a buffet into a flat screen tv stand. My 13 month old wouldnt stop tossing the dvd's into the floor so we had to come up with an option. The drawers house them perfectly, as well as the other crap that needed a junk drawer :) Craigslist is a staple at my house and i wear the app out on my phone. And I love the dresser for the entry. I would never be able to find one at a decent price in Memphis. :(
ReplyDeleteHa, I totally spotted the Christmas teddy bear and thought at least i'm not the only one with Christmas remnants still out in April. I just found a Christmas snow globe in my kids room the other day...Great redo's too!
ReplyDeleteWhere oh where did you find that basket with the chalkboard sign on the front? I MUST have it!
ReplyDeleteI'm into dressers too! Unfortunately because my house is very open and has lots of windows, I don't have many spaces wide enough for dressers other than in the bedrooms. The dresser in your son's room is just like one my mom has that I have my eye on. She actually gave me the matching nightstand, which I painted turquoise for our bedroom. I'd like to get my hands on the dresser as well, as I like the lines and details.
ReplyDeleteHahaha this post made my entire week! I love it.
ReplyDelete