Bedroom Makeover: The Dresser

Since moving into this house, I have been searching for a dresser or chest of drawers for the empty space adjacent to my closet. Even though the closet is large, I wanted extra storage for T-shirts, PJs, and other items. New dressers can be quite expensive, so I checked Craigslist frequently and last week I finally found this beauty:

My new dresser

I absolutely love the design of this dresser. The clean lines are very modern and the cabinet on the bottom gives me space for books, magazines, and papers. It's actually two separate pieces that stack on top of each other, which I think is very cool. You can't really tell from the pictures, but the surface of the dresser is not in perfect shape, so I will most likely refinish it when I move into my own place. For the time being, though, the wood adds a bit of warmth to the space.

Hardware before polishing

One of the things I really like about this piece is the decorative brass hardware, but it was pretty tarnished when I first brought it home (especially the little cabinet door pulls on the left, which were practically black). With a little Brasso Metal Polish, a cotton cloth, and A LOT of elbow grease, I was able to get the hardware relatively clean, and it makes a big difference.

Et voilà!

With the addition of a mirror and a few accessories, what was once dead space and a dumping ground for laundry is now a lovely and useful corner of my bedroom. All I need to complete this project is a lamp for the top of the dresser. (This part of the room is sort of like an alcove, and it doesn't get much light from the ceiling fixture above my bed.) I'm really happy with how this room is shaping up!

(Sources: Dresser - GRQ Used Furniture, $60; Mirror - Target, $34.99; Orchid - Home Depot, $14.97; Terracotta Planter - Ten Thousand Villages, purchased for $8 in 2005 or 2006; Accessories - vintage)