My "new" secondhand dresser


I have been searching for a second-hand dresser for ages and couldn't find any that I liked, would fit in the space I have or could afford.  I decided to look at new ones but they lacked character, were really big and expensive. So I stopped looking!! The other weekend I had lunch with two girl friends, afterwards we went window shopping at a quaint country style knick-knack shop and I saw a dresser. It was just what I wanted, not too big and much cheaper than I had expected to pay. I bought it - it was just too good to miss.

I think it is from the 1940's, but I may be wrong. Someone has painted it quite badly with white oil based paint so dear husband is going to repaint it for me. The brown is the original timber.  The sides of the cupboards are not covered in timber instead wire mesh to keep food cool in summer.  This makes me think that perhaps this was used for storage prior to the refrigerator. 


One of the reasons for wanting a dresser was to display the glass storage canisters which I think are too pretty to hide away.  I have room for two more cansiters and that will be all I can fit - unless I want to make two rows but then where would I put the fruit bowl!  Dressers could be found in most homes once-upon-a-time until modular kitchen cabinets came into vogue in the late 1950s. Then they were considered to be out-of-dated and many would have been destroyed or moved to the shed to kept dad's tools in!  But they making a comeback and there are plenty of reproductions available. 

Note the lollie jar at the front - it keeps DH happy!!  But it is next to the fruit bowl so hopefully he will eat more apples than lollies.
Its funny how one new piece of furniture in the house can lead to the re-arranging of lots of other things in the house!! The buffet had to move because the dresser needed its spot - and now it sits in the living area and looks so much better. In fact this is a way better place for it than the kitchen.

Not only did I move the buffet (and a bookcase + a painting) I went through all the kitchen cupboards and throw out bags of "stuff" and now I have plenty of space of other "stuff" to fill the gaps!!


I use to put the flowers on the table, but DH thought this was a better place (the cat is unlikely to knock it over). 


I have placed candles and seashells on the table instead. 



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Comments

  1. You found a treasure! It seems perfect for your space and I really like the jars you have on the shelves. Isn't it the best when you find something you had quit looking for. Your patience paid off. Also, I really like the crochet table square you have in the center of your dining table. I am on a search for a piece like that!

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    1. The lace table square was given to me by my dad along with a bundle of other doilies. I think it belonged to a great aunt. It will be loved:))

      Some times if you stop looking what you want pops up when you least expect it!

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  2. It looks great, Jo - and suits your space really well. I like the flowers on the dresser - they look really pretty like that.

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    1. We didn't have a big space so most modern dressers were far too big. This fits just right.

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  3. Isn't that the other half of my lighthouse!

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    1. It's my half and you are caring for the other half for me. !!!!!!!

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  4. Your patience paid off! I've learned the hard way not to rush and buy something I don't really love. You're right, I think those canisters are too pretty to hide away. Your table with the candles and shells looks beautiful with the lace topper.

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    1. Thankyou:)) isn't it typical, stop looking for something and then you find it! I started looking almost two years ago with no success!

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  5. Love it...I used to have one just like it but had to leave it behind when we moved! I love the older type furniture...adore your table!

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  6. Love the new dresser too! I agree with you about the new furniture, doesn't have the same character (nor quality)... Your rooster canisters are absolutely adorable! Thanks for linking this up with the Art of Home-Making Mondays :)

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    1. This is a solid dresser , modern furniture is expensive and as you say, lacks quality. My pleasure, I enjoy your weekly link :))

      Blessings for the coming week.

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  7. It's lovely! And it will look so flash when it's repainted :D

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  8. I loved looking at all your re-designed spaces! Your dresser is wonderful. I know just what you mean when you say that the more modern furniture lacks character. I found an old Welsh dresser about 18 months ago in a charity store, it was going for a song so I snapped it up. It is my favorite piece of furniture! I love your canisters - I think I might have to 'steal' that idea :o)

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    1. I would have loved a Welsh dresser as my husband is Welsh. This dresser is very Australian and suits the room.

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  9. Lucky find. It looks great:)
    Happy day.

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  10. I am going to comment before I read your post! LOL. It's my first visit and I always notice the look of a blog then get involved in the post! I wanted to say I love your blog. It's just beautiful and drew me in. I read your profile on the side bar. It could have been my description! I had to go back to work last year. Grown kids. So why not? Well anyway. I love your photo's. I am following your blog and Pinterest. I'll be by again. Oh I came from Jes's linky! On to the post!

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    1. Thanks so much for your really kind words:))))

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  11. Beautiful. I love the kitchen dresser. I had to get rid of mine when moving to our current place. No room for it! Maybe someone else is enjoying it. I love your canisters one of the things on my list to but. Storing these kinds of things outside the pantry leaves for room for stocking up on canned goods and things! Plus they are pretty to look at! I like the flowers on the sidebar. Makes it easy to sit down and have a meal and talk w/o the flowers in the way! But you can still see them! I enjoyed my visit. I'll be back.!

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    1. My husband stood in front of the dresser yesterday and said to me "I really like that dresser". He isn't much into kitchen things so it was a lovely thing to hear him say. I now have plenty of room in my cupboards - I no longer need to try and squeeze in containers. Having them on display makes it much easier to see what needs to be replaced!!

      Thanks so much for visiting - lovely to "meet" you.

      Have a lovely weekend.

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