Sunday, January 24, 2010

Our New/Old Dresser


Behold the power of a SOLD tag...



Don't you just love how they protectively scream "BACK OFF- I'M SPOKEN FOR!" to all the other shoppers while you scramble to figure out whose truck you can borrow to haul home your fabulous new find?



The day we spotted this delightfully, decrepit dresser I knew it would be ours before I even looked up to see Kevin's reaction to it...



Thankfully, when I did look up, he was just as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as I was.

:-)



We just couldn't resist it's rustic-meets-romantic charm...



(would you believe it was only $40!)

The patina is so beautiful. It really just needs a good cleaning.



And since the mirror is missing, we'll have to get a friend of ours to cut us a new piece (Ooh! Maybe I'll antique it!...Uh oh. There I go announcing things again).
It does need some new knobs too. Picking them out will be so much fun! There are so many amazing options out there to choose from. I love these...

(click on the photos for store info)






I also love these "knobs"...

Photo: Cottage Living


Photo: Country Living


Ooh! And I think I'll have some fun on the inside of the drawers too...



Photo: Country Living

To be honest, I've actually got quite an unhealthy obsession with old dressers. I just can't seem to stop buying them! We're the only people I know that have three old dressers in our bedroom instead of a bed. If only we were small enough to sleep in the drawers...

Photo: Jennifer and Co. Photography


Here are some more dashing old dressers I found online while searching for inspiration...


Photo: Donna Pochaski

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Photo: A Beach Cottage

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Photo: Royal Oak Cottage

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Photo: Country Living

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Photo: Country Home

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Photo: Rustic Rooster Interiors

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Photo: Country Living


Hubba hubba, right? Somebody stop me!

76 comments:

The Little Red Shop said...

Thank you, Layla! You've just eased my mind regarding all of my dresser projects! I have them in every room of my house and then some....

: )

Julie M.

Stephen and Larissa said...

I love this and your ideas for it. My problem with it is that I'm kind of a clean freak and my husband even more so. How do you go about getting a piece like this really clean without ruining the wood?

vosgesparis said...

pnce painted an old door from India with a dark grey and a with layer... it would look perfect on here... you did a great buy

Angela said...

I LOVE it!! I can't believe it was only $40.00! I'm sure you'll make it look even more amazing. Oh and I love the mercury glass knobs.

DustyLu said...

I have a love for old dressers two..its ok to have more than one in the room..right? LOL..great patina, amazing find..love it..lulu

Seagrass Interiors said...

Completely agree with you! There something so charming an irresistible about chippy paint! I went to the Long Beach Flea Market with my heart SET on a chippy paint dresser and unfortunately came home empty handed : ( Yours is beautiful! Can't wait to see the hardware you pick out!

PS I've been "blog-stalking" TLC for the last year and this is my FIRST comment! : )

Melissa

ourthreesons said...

That is some gorgeous piece and for only $40? I want to know where you shop! I can't wait to see how it looks when you are done with it. :)

Room to Inspire said...

I love it...and for $40 bucks it is amazing. I can't wait to see how it turns out!

Chelsea

~Amy Rose said...

BEAUTIFUL piece...what a find! Love all your ideas....can't wait to see what you do with this lovely little dresser! I have an obsession with antique dressers and chests too!

Dreamy Whites said...

Love it, can't wait to see what you do with it.
Maria

Unknown said...

Can't wait to see her all cleaned up and sporting some new jewelry!!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

This post was a feast for my eyes, Layla. Beautiful!

I know the focus was dressers, but I couldn't take my eyes off that huge black board with the gilded frame!

Me likey very much! Me wanty!

Sindy said...

$40.00? I can't believe it! In CA this would be more like $340.00:) Sigh. It is just beautiful and the inspiration pics are doing just that--love them. Those lettered knobs are pretty special, too and I can't wait to see you work your magic on that dresser :)
Blessings,
Sindy :)

dedeetsyshop said...

LOVE them all! I too, have an obsession with old dressers! I have NEVER bought a new one and have never paid more than 100.00 for one! And I love all of them! They are way better than any "new" dresser to me! Their character, their chippy paint, their fabulous patina, their history! I just love it! Our house holds about 10 old dressers and *sadly* our basement about 3-4 more! I can't wait to see what you do with it!

Ginger@cottageonrosewood said...

Oh I love it. It was the steal of the century at $40. Can't wait to see the end result and where it will end up. Love the gorgeous blue dressers too. Most perfect color blue in the world.

Caroline said...

Lucky for sure!!...what an awesome find. I can't wait to see it finished.

My Cottage Charm said...

I knew you would have wonderful ideas for that sweet little dresser when I saw the sneak peek picture of it on your other post. :) I love dressers so much I have them spilling over into my garage. I actually have one out there that's currently in need of lovin'.. gonna have to wait til KY weather cooperates with me on that one though. I have a love for knobs as well....I have a partiality to the glass ones, but love them all! I actually got ya beat on the price from my favorite dresser........$20 bucks at a tag sale. I love her and she has history. She belonged to one of my best friends grandmas.... so it has even more meaning. (except now that she's seen it all fixed up she wants it back! lol) not happening!

carolyn@sweet tea and linen said...

Oh my..I LOVE the dresser! and those cursive knobs...drool worthy!
Congratulations on another great find. I can't wait to see what magical place it will find in TLC!

Shannan Martin said...

It is perfect! That patina couldn't possibly be made more beautiful. And I also have always been in amor with those rag/rope "pulls". That's my vote!

Tracey Johnson said...

Hubba Hubba is right. Wow, Layla. You just jazzed my day up right. Thanks for the inspiration. The photos are motivational. Enjoy your new dresser.

royaloakcottage said...

I feel like I've been acknowledged by a celebrity! Thanks for including one of my dressers as an inspiration piece. That finish was actually inspired by your guest room dresser, so I guess it has come full-circle. :)

duchess said...

What a great find - can't wait to see where she ends up in the cottage.
Have a great week.

The Buchanan Family said...

Check out hobby lobby for knobs too! They have some similiar to the ones you have listed!

Unknown said...

An amazing find! And those dresser photos have me drooling. I can't wait to see what you do with it.

Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife said...

Now I want to go out and buy an old dresser...

love it.

Cathy said...

Beautiful find! It looks sort like one in my den and one in my attic. I know it will look awesome in your home~

{{Big Hugs}}

Cathy

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

What fun! That dresser is lovely!

Megandvd@Beauty in the Attempt said...

You find the BEST pieces! I am so jealous. I wish Louisville had more treasures. I have searched far and wide...only to be disappointed. I will keep the search going. :) Love the piece!!

Cheers~
e

Low Tide High Style said...

It's beautiful, I can see why you were drawn to it. Can't wait to see which knobs you pick. I have some Anthro knobs on a tall black cabinet and I think they "make" the piece!

Kat :)

geri said...

HUBBA HUBBA...unfortunately from these post we aren't going to be the ones to stop you. hehe
I love the dresser and all the ideas. I love even more that a 40.00 purchase can bring out such excitement,creativity and pleasure in all of us.
I am thankful that I have always known this not just from necessity, but by the simple pleasure of making it work.
You always remind me of pure joy.geri.

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Talk about a score! Lucky girl you, can't wait to see how you transform it!
Kristin

Holly said...

FYI...Hobby Lobby has knobs virtually identical to the ceramic melon knobs (ivory) for $4 (reg price). I just got a couple when they were 50% off and used them on my bathroom vanity makeover. I used an antique dresser mirror and bracket to make the vanity look kinda like an old piece of furniture.

Anyway, thought you might be interested in saving some money if you choose those knobs.

Anonymous said...

what a lucky, lucky girl! what a beautiful peice for a steal!

rustic rooster interiors said...

Love all the old dresser photos & I love the price tag too! That's what we do at the rustic rooster... Keep the pieces fun & funky & prices low, low, low... 10 years in business now! The only problem that I have is every time a new piece {paint chipping away} comes in I want it for me. Everyone laughs at me at work... Better not show Alexandra she'll take it! LOL I go crazy over old paint that's chipping away. Can't wait to see how it turns out...
xoxo,
Alexandra

rustic rooster interiors said...

OH... I kind of like the White Highboy from rustic rooster interiors! LOL Looks great... Thank you Layla!

xoxo,
Alexandra

Kira =] said...

Please excuse me while I sit in my jealous corner over your fabulous find. =] That dresser is so awesome!!

Ryan said...

I have a thing for old dressers too. What a GREAT find. Can't wait to see what you do...

Erin Southwell said...

I cannot BELIEVE that was $40!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! And all of the images. Especially newborn baby in the drawer. I promise that when I come to visit I will be happy to sleep on the floor in your master and just appreciate the pretty dressers! :)

XO. E

tiffany said...

What a great find! I love the pictures, especially the one with the built-in's by the bed...I'm going to have the husband get started on that for me!! Love your blog - thanks for sharing!

vignette design said...

Love your new/old dresser--love them all! --Delores

Amber said...

We just bought the mercury glass knobs from Anthropologie! They haven't arrived yet, but I happened upon the store yesterday while I was out and got to see them in person. I love them!

They're nice a big (which was perfect for the piece they're going on). Plus, how can you go wrong with mercury glass? It may be on the trendy side now, but it's always going to be a timeless classic!

Can't wait to see what you do with the dresser!

Megan said...

Question for you. I bought an old beautiful dresser but it's has an old musty smell inside the drawers. I have washed them with soap and water, put dryer sheets in them and even smell good drawer paper but to no avail. It still smells. Any suggestions?

Mel- said...

Love it! Any idea where to get pretty shelf lining paper similar to the picture you posted? I have a wonderful old pie cabinet that I'm using for linens and can't find anything fun!!!

ClassiclyAmber said...

Yessss! I loooove all those photos! And I'm really diggin' your new old dresser, too! Can't wait to see how you use it in your home! <3

Abbie said...

$40!! I live in the wrong town!

Andrea said...

Oh my - I have the SAME buffet as one of your photos. I got it for %$64 at the salvation army and have blogged about it. here..

http://thomberg.blogspot.com/2009/11/buffet.html

and also see it finished here..
http://thomberg.blogspot.com/2009/12/another-project-complete.html


www.thomberg.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Layla,

What a great find! I love antique dressers with lots of carved details, patina and beveled mirrors. Lucky I have a lot of rooms to fill! You have a wonderful eye for not only what is, but for potential.

Deborah

Kelly @ turned UP to ELEVEN! said...

That dresser is amazing what a great find. I love seeing young people bring new life to old items! I love antiques. I can't wait to see your finished product!

Lovely Little Nest said...

Oh how fun! This is definitely a great find. Can't wait to see what you do with it! :)

P.S. Love love love the lettered knobs from Anthro ~ was literally JUST swooning over them yesterday!

Unknown said...

Hey Layla and Kevin,

I have a dresser exactly like that. Well I did before I had it redone and now its beautiful. It belonged to my grandmother. It looked just like that when I got it too. Let me know if you want me to email you a pic of it.

Thanks,
Debbie

COTTAG3 said...

I have this dresser! It used to have the mirror part but that was taken off. I gave it a makeover a couple of weeks ago and interestingly enough, used knobs you are considering. If you want to get an idea what it might look like, see mine at www.3ringcottage.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

LOVE this dresser! It's amazing and that's unreal that it only cost $40.00. I've been looking at various antique stores and goodwills to find something similar but have had no luck!! I have the picture from Cottage Living with the fabric pulls saved for my inspiration when I find a perfect dresser such as yours :) Where do you guys shop? You all always find such great finds at very reasonable prices. Can't wait to see how this turns out!!

Jill said...

I love the knob idea with the knotted rope! That dresser would be so cute if you could find an old fabric measuring tape and knot that. Great Find!

Pony Girl said...

I LOVE it! Can't wait to see what you do with it. I love the idea of the lettered knobs, because that is so your "signature" thing. I love the color it is, it does have a nice rustic patina that speaks of it's journey!

WhisperWood Cottage said...

I'm afraid it can't be stopped...not without a major intervention. We are as hooked on your dresser obsession as you are, so we say "keep it up!"

Amy :)

Lynette said...

Love them all - makes me want to go flea-ing right NOW!!

I would love one of those in my family room - any of those would be perfect in there!

Can't wait to see what you do with it!

frillsfluffandtrucks said...

Such a pretty piece and such an amazing pricetag! WOW!

~ Sarah

Lori said...

Wow - only $40.00 is a steal of a deal. I would have scooped it up too I am sure of that. I cannot wait to see what you do with her.

Kacey said...

What a beautiful dresser! Such a great find - and only $40? WOW! I have a serious problem with falling in love with old dressers as well. I don't know what it is about them!

Sandra said...

Wow, what a great buy! I have been looking and looking for an old dresser but not as lucky as you. :)
Blessings,
Sandra

Kim @ Twice Remembered said...

What a gorgeous find - and just for $40?! What a bargain! Can't wait to see how you doll her up! I love old dressers, too...I have two really old ones that need some TLC...and I have no idea where I'll put them!

LesleySW said...

Can't wait to see what you do with it! I love old dressers too, although I have NO place to put one!

Amanda said...

*sigh* what a great find Layla and Kevin...can't wait to see what you do with it and where you put it.

Happy Australia Day
Amanda x

Roeshel said...

It's beautiful. I love anthropologie's hardware selection too. Great inspiration photos. Can't wait to see it all cleaned up.

Anonymous said...

Dressers, tables, chairs... it's hard to stop when there are so many beauties to be found! Can't wait to see what you do with your new find!

Serendipitous Home said...

Hi Layla,
You really scored, $40.00! wow.
It really is amazing, you can either choose mdf dressers for 3 times as much or a real wood piece sometimes even hand mad with sooo much character it is sickening.
I have always adored the piece in your guest room and think this one is incredible as well. I love the mercury glass knobs, where are they from?
I am also a dresser collector and haven't quite figured out how to clean the "old" smell out, any ideas?

mommyholly said...

LOVING that dresser!!! (And I love that yellow one you posted as well- I am all about yellow right now!!) ... And I think the most exciting part about fixing something up like an old dresser is putting new knobs on it. Any excuse to pop into Anthropologie!!!! :) I am currently re-doing the dresser in my bedroom as well and loved this boost of inspiration, so thank you!!
xoxox Holly

Sharon@Sharon at Home said...

Score ... I love the patina. It will be very pretty with a mirror (maybe antinqued ... hahaha)

Aimee Cotton Bogush said...

Love the photos! Thanks for the inspiration. Your new dresser is gorgeous!!! Can't wait to see how you make it your own.

Melissa Miller said...

That is awesome! Love the monogram knobs. :)

Bethany said...

these are some great finds and great inspirations! now i kind of wish we didn't just buy new dressers! great find too!

the Hawks said...

I've been desparately trying to convince my husband that we need to keep the 80-year-old dresser I found in our first apartment's basement--with a mirror! http://thishawksnest.blogspot.com/2009/12/holiday-decore.html

Thank you for writing this!!!
`jen

Vivian said...

I love it just like it is and I know it will only get better with your personal touches! I also love the "new" bathroom mirror. Kevin is a great sport!:)

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

That's gorgeous! I can't remember if I commented or not. Did I? Anyway, it's GORG!!

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVE all those knobs... totally FAB!

Rachel Elizabeth said...

I love how rustic it is. Beautiful and old.