A dove and a moose walk into a bar. Just kidding, not a bar. That’s not kid-room appropriate. How about a dove and a moose walk onto a playground? Anyway, I’ll just cut to the chase. We finally found a dresser for Clara’s big girl room, complete with dovetailed joints! Hence the mention of a dove (ah, they don’t make ’em like they used to).
We wanted one for the playroom/ big girl room for Clara once she moves in there (so that eventual-second-child can use Clara’s original dresser since it works so well as a changing table in the nursery). And that way we’re not undoing one room to redo another room, which always feels counter productive. Plus nine more drawers worth of storage in our house = jackpot. Especially when it’s taking the place of an old room full of clutter, which used to be what this space was.
It was a pretty great secondhand score thanks to Sir Craig And His List (craigslist for those not down with my dorktastic lingo). For just $50 we’re the proud owners of this nine drawer dresser. As for how we found it, we just searched “dresser” on craigslist in our area a few times a week (maybe once a week if I forgot) for about a month and then finally this guy came up:
Our only real requirements were something from a non-smoking household (that’s a hard scent to remove), something with at least six drawers like Clara’s nursery dresser which has worked out so well for us (nine is a total bonus!), and something long as opposed to tall (since we figure as she grows she can reach these drawers and get dressed herself more easily than she would with a tallboy since she might not be able to reach all those upper drawers).
After we got it into the room, we tried the daybed and the dresser on a few different walls and preferred the dresser right to the left of the door as you enter the room (it’s a lot shallower than the daybed, which sticks into the room quite a bit, so we liked that on the back wall with the dresser across from it).
And here’s the other side of the room to help you get your bearings:
Oh but our new dresser’s not in perfect condition…
… so we’re planning to either refinish it or paint it depending on how the room evolves around it. We don’t want to rush into anything so it’s easiest to do what we call sticking & moving. We drop it in place in the room and just keep on adding other elements that we need in here (a rug, window treatments, art, a new light fixture, etc) and we’re sure at some point it’ll become a lot more clear if we want to refinish it in a deep wood tone, paint it a moody navy, or go snowy white with it. Who knows, we might end up somewhere else entirely! No matter what we decide, you know we’ll keep you posted!
But where does the moose come in? Remember the estate sale light that I sprayed ceramic-animal-white back here? Boom, moose.
I promised you guys a shot of him with his final lampshade on, so there you have it. Remember the fabric-covered shade was a book project (#182) so we couldn’t share it until the book was out but now that it’s out, I’m all about it. We used fabric leftover from Clara’s monthly picture to recover a shade that we already had, and I actually used the back side of the fabric (I’m a huge fan of using a fabric backwards to mute it down a little).
So now you’ve basically seen one wall of the room starting to come together. Can’t wait to hang something over the dresser. Hint: it’s not going to be frames or “traditional” art. We’ll share pics as soon as we have it done! Hopefully Wednesday (we’re on a plane all day today coming back from the West Coast, but we have a giant to-do list that we hope to tackle tomorrow and then shoot and share things as soon as we can).
Oh and you’ve already seen the daybed on the other side of the room, but just for fun I thought I’d toss this picture in here too so you can see how the upholstered lamp shade “plays” with the pillows and blanket. It’s looking pretty happy in there. And I can’t wait to add some other colors like navy and teal and yellow. Soon I hope!
In the meantime, who’s the cutest fake sleeper you know? Does her name start with a C and end with a lara?
What are you guys searching/eying/buying on craigslist? Any other furniture sources that you love? Do you know any dove/moose related jokes? Did any of you guys go thrifting this weekend for the ol’ Macklemore Challenge? Thanks so much for all the fun we had with that on Friday. Can’t wait to see what you guys scored!
Christina @ Homemade Ocean says
Ohhhhh moody navy….I love it!
Kara J says
Absolutely LOVE Craigslist! It’s awesome to be able to find quality, affordable, non-cookie-cutter pieces! We just scored this awesome solid wood buffet last week!
http://familyjulius.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/craigslist/
We’re finishing the paint job on it and so excited about it!
Clara’s big girl room is looking great. Can’t wait to see it come along.
JC says
We have the SAME dresser. Scored at a huge town garage sale for charity back when they still held it. I had to look up and say “yup, ours is still here.” ha ha. The wear & tear even looks the same. Will be interesting to see what you do to it down the line. :)
Alison says
Thrifting this weekend! So fun. So planned on scoring some awfulsome stuff to spray paint and otherwise spruce. At which point we discovered that the living room and dining room are totally done, don’t need anything else and that we have no plan for the office or master bedroom. So we ended up thrifting all day Sunday, buying nothing and coming home to finally DEAL with the office/junk room.
Ethne @ Wom-Mom says
I swear, you are the best craigslist finders ever. I’m rubbish. Though I shortchange myself at every turn and give up after one or two checks. I bet you daydream about this room constantly to think about what comes next.
Emily says
This has nothing to do with today’s post, but did you see this (I think it’s your headboard fabric?):
http://www.target.com/p/avington-upholstered-armless-accent-slipper-chair-gazebo-cloud-floral/-/A-13916598#prodSlot=large_1_13
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!!
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
http://www.inventingus.com/2013/01/january-tablescape.html
I get a ridiculous amount of stuff off CL — this buffet was $50!
Addie Klein says
Love the new dresser!
I’m also loving your new sponsor with the antique jewelry. I’m not usually someone who clicks on links like that, but that’s a fun one! I think I looked at every single antique ring. Can’t wait for a giveaway from them. ;)
Deb says
Love it! I just told my sister-in-law about Diversity Thrift. She is looking for a coffee table. I still have not been, but I told her about you guys going there so… I think she will check it out. I am on the lookout for a sofa like you had in your first den or living room. Hoping Craig can help out. Any other place you would recommend for sofas? Thanks and happy flying!
YoungHouseLove says
Thrift shops, Craigslist, and Ikea might help :)
xo,
s
Jamie says
Please don’t paint that dresser! Leave it with that gorgeous finish – I would even leave the dings alone, unless they’re splintery.
Lauren says
Love the dresser! I am a Craigslist-a-holic…I don’t even have to buy anything, I just love seeing what other people are getting rid of…but if I find an awesome deal, even better!
Vanessa Gasca says
My daughter has almost the exact dresser, I will be interested to see what color you paint it or stain it. I think it looks great in Clara’s big girl room :)
Emilie says
I did my sister’s nursery and bought this same dresser off Craiglist (a very popular 70’s item from what I understand: but mine had that white with gold trim look). I took all the hardware off and spray painted them black. I then painted the wood a nice happy bright yellow (a very hard acrylic from Sherwin Williams). It turned out AWESOME.
I have also had great luck with rustoleum’s furniture transformation. I used that to paint old furniture for my nephew’s room. I must say, it actually worked better and I wish I had discovered it before I painted the nursery furniture! Our dresser came with a desk (which I decided to keep), so I am thinking about using the rustoleum kit in hot pink for my daughters. So fun!
.
Kelly says
Love all the joke endings! But I have a serious question.
I don’t mean to offend if it does, but I was wondering how you make sure that you aren’t transfering any bugs in the used furniture that you buy into your GORGEOUS (BTW) home? My sister bought second hand furniture once, and with it and without her knowing about it obviously, she was then infested with bed bugs. It was a horrible experience of cleaning, exterminating, etc. I truly think she still has nightmares over the whole situation.
So, I was just curious of how you two safeguard against that…?
Love you guys!
Kelly
YoungHouseLove says
John had them in NY and haaaaated it so he knows what to look for (they’re visible to the naked eye and leave telltale droppings) so we look everything over well and usually leave it in the carport or sunroom for a day or two and check again just to be sure :)
xo,
s
Stephanie says
I just had to share this dresser that we redid that is almost exactly the same. We put it in our son’s nursery and it doubles as his changing table (although I am anxious to ditch the changing pad and accessorize the top!). Can’t wait to see what you do with yours.
http://stephanieonthemove.blogspot.com/2011/06/all-dressed-up.html?m=0
YoungHouseLove says
Looks awesome!
xo,
s
Meg @ Revamp Homegoods says
It really is a beautiful dresser and it looks great in the space!
Jen says
Speaking of Clara’s monthly photo…I’m dying to see a photo of all the fabrics you’ve collected over the past couple of years. I imagine them all folded neatly and stacked by color. As a fabric hoarder, maybe you could indulge me with an Instagram photo?
YoungHouseLove says
Fun idea! When we get home I’ll try to remember!
xo,
s
Kim Wethe Rily says
Dropping Max off at daycare this morning and heard what I shall now deem as “the Sherry and John song.” Can’t get it out of my head.
Wrenaria says
Great dresser! Thrifts like that are rarely so cheap in my town. Jealous.
It was delightful meeting you guys on Saturday in Portland! Even if I got nervous and thus uninteresting, haha. I know your west coast trip was a bit of whirlwind time-wise but hopefully you had a decent time out here. <3
YoungHouseLove says
Aw it was so great to meet you! Thanks for coming!
xo,
s
Christy says
Until you decide, you might try Old English Scratch Cover for the nicks.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks!
xo,
s
Natalie Royall says
OMG!!! I live in the Richmond area too and am currently hunting for a dresser for my little one’s nursery. I saw this one and Looooved it, but it is too long for the wall I have in mind. Too funny! Glad you guys got it!! Awesome deal I think!
Melissa Shipman says
I’m trying so hard to find a dresser on craiglist but no luck so far. It seems the good ones are gone within 30 minutes and I haven’t yet gotten lucky enough to be the winner. Any tips on what time of day is the best to check? I’m determined to find one for our living room though. I want a new TV stand and a small dresser will be perfect! (www.lovinghere.comO
YoungHouseLove says
I usually check at night when I remember. Maybe around nine?
xo,
s
Paige @ Little Nostalgia says
Score! That Craig always has the best stuff.
I know you haven’t decided that to do with it yet, but I just wanted to say that it’s the PERFECT mid-tone wood! Not too dark, not uber-light like 90s oak… it’s the wood equivalent of Goldie Lock’s porridge. I love finding stuff like that!
Valerie says
I think you should paint it! Red would be an obvious first choice, but I think a warm gray or even navy could be fun!
I also let decor sit around for a while before making a final decision. I currently have a new Ikea coffee table in my family room, I might paint the top (or legs) white.
Andrea T says
Unrelated. If you didn’t already know, Antiques Roadshow is coming to Richmond next year. Please think about signing up for tickets – it’s free. Would love to hear about your experiences. My mom and I went last year in Cincinnati and had a blast. They had something like 3,000 tickets to give out, and about 30,000 people applied! Both of us applied for tickets. I was denied, but when my mom opened her mail and saw that she got tickets, she was so giddy!
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/ontour.html
YoungHouseLove says
No way!
xo,
s
Ashley says
Picked up this beauty for $40 off Craig’s List this weekend… http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S0xVOyEqK30/UQPJA8KYolI/AAAAAAAAbuE/j7Hbjxn-KEc/s1600/-+wing+chair+austin+craigslist+100.jpg
It’s in pretty rough condition right now.. needs to be cleaned. I’m planning on dying it a darker purple to hide any stains and then putting it my room which currently has these elements:
Bought two of these from world market http://pinterest.com/pin/58195020154580549/. Cut them down the middle added some navy material to the bottom and now they are floor to ceiling curtains in my room.
My bed is wrought iron with gold specks and my bedding is very similar to this: http://pinterest.com/pin/188377196885539428/
Now just need a rug for my wood floors, a dresser (I’m drooling over the one you got for clara!) and some homemade art.
Guess I’m an over-sharer, too :)
nancyo says
I saw on pinterest that oil and vinegar cleans up wood well. I tried it on some chairs and it was awesome.
Check out the instructions on the blog,
http://lilyandthistle.blogspot.com/2012/07/a-quick-trick.html
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds great!
xo,
s
Chelsea @ Cardio and Cocktails says
In college I found a very similar dresser at Salvation Army for a great price. I took it home, sanded it, primed it, and painted it a light lilac color. I originally changed the hardware to bronzed knobs since it was hard to find pulls that size and then I’ve changed them out for different styles when I need to mix it up. The size of the dresser is awesome and it’s so sturdy- Clara will love it for a long time!
Allison M. says
Love the dresser, what a great find! I always keep a running list of my CL search terms in an email draft… Right now I’m focused on finding a Sheraton style sideboard and a jute rug. No luck yet but I’m hopeful!
Andrea says
Do you guys use the website “list alert”? You put in a search criteria for what you are looking for on craigslist and it emails you when something is posted with that criteria. I just found this site and am super excited about it!
A
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!
xo,
s
danielle says
Where’s the daybed from?! I’ve been trying to find a Jenny Lind daybed for my little girl’s big girl bed when the time comes, but I’m having trouble finding both. Yours is great! and I think daybed is more important than Jenny Lind so…spill!
P.S. I too hadn’t heard the Macklemore song and I think it’s hysterical! I’ve been wondering about life going, “I’ll wear your grandpa’s clothes. I look incredible.” Good stuff.
YoungHouseLove says
It’s from West Elm around six years ago.
xo,
s
Christy Niebaum says
We have a dove tailed antique dresser in our daughter’s room too and LOVE IT. Six super wide and deep drawers. We liked the natural wood and old school handles (almost identical to Clara’s actually), so we didn’t do anything to it, but I did add some fun contact paper to line the drawers.
Currently on the hunt for some skinny wall bookshelves for her room. Kind of like the pink ones from the house crash you guys shared last week. Will either buy on Etsy OR convince my hubby to make them.
Kelli says
so cute! and you may have already said, and I missed it, but where did you get the daybed? it is so awesome! I need one for my college-aged daughter’s room :o)
YoungHouseLove says
We got it as a wedding gift from John’s God Mother (it’s from West Elm).
xo,
s
carolina says
For my daughter room, we found a similar dresser in the pile of stuff that the old house owner had left and painted bright lime green. It looks amazing and add a lot of fun to her room. We did change the handles for crystal flower ones.
I think it would look great in red!
Anna says
I didn’t get to stay for the book signing, but was fun to see you speak in Portland. Hope you had great time!
Wondering how people handle all the children’s books that kids accumulate.? We don’t have a playroom, so bookcases would have to be in their rooms along with dresser, bed, desks, and all their toys. (Desks may have to go as may just breed clutter). Where do you put Clara’s books?
YoungHouseLove says
We have two large book baskets (one in Clara’s room and one in the living room).
xo,
s
Maribel says
You mentioned using the reverse of fabric… I tried that a few weeks ago when making pillow covers totally loved it…the kicker was I sewed them the the pieces the opposite way and didnt realize it till I was finished. Dope!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man! Still sounds pretty!
xo,
s
Erin G. says
I scored a bed from Mr. Craig and his list over the weekend! Went to Ikea 2 weeks ago. Tested the bed out, but just didn’t feel compelled to pull the trigger just yet. Checked in with Mr. Craig on a whim. Found the bed only a year old and a huge discount. Now happily own said bed, and have a few dollars extra in my pocket! All Hail Mr. Craig!
Kelsey says
What a steal! I can’t wait to see what you do with it. Paint would be cool, but I think it would look great just refinished too!
Megan says
Love the dresser. I managed to score a mid century dresser at our local salvage store for $45 this weekend. Love deals like that!
Anna says
Beautiful dresser. Love the curves, love the leaf-shaped handles and even love the wood, though I usually prefer whites. But not this time.
So I would say refinish it. It will look gorgeous.
It makes me think in Jane Austen’s novels: many people think they are cheesy and outdated but in fact they are classical, strong and clever. This dresser is like this :-)
(Sorry, too many Austen today, perhaps)
Lynn @ Our Useful Hands says
That is so pretty. I grew up with wooden dove tailed furniture as well and now I’m wishing that I wasn’t so down on it all through my youth. What can I say, pressed particle board with a faux wooden white finish spoke to me? I hope Clara can appreciate architectural workmanship this young. Hope you get home safe guys and then get some good rest.
My best, Lynn
Maria B says
I’m sure you addressed this already, but I can’t seem to find it…if you don’t mind, can you tell me where the bed is from?? I’m loving it. My girls (2 and 4) are ready to move from toddler beds to big girl beds. We like the idea of a day bed but so many I’ve seen aren’t as airy and light feeling as that one. Thanks!
Maria B says
Oh nevermind! Just saw my answer in the comments before mine.
Stephanie says
Craiglist, you strike again! I lurve craiglist but I live in a rural part of the state and in order to purchase anything from there I have to drive a bit far. Wish they would expand it a bit. I do love old furniture and can’t wait too see what some YHL will do for it. Great find! The room is already looking brighter. And that little “bean” how cute is she in her big girl bed? I remember our crib to bed exchange all too well. It’s really hard for us parents to give all that freedom to something so small. Good luck with the room and Clara!
Sarah J. says
that dresser would look beautiful in navy! excited to see what you end up doing with it.
i keep stalking CL for more furniture for our living room. we bought this house less than a year ago and are determined to not buy “filler” furniture, only things that we really love! we scored a mid century plaid couch last summer and just keep waiting for the perfect love seat or pair of chairs to balance it out. until then, we’re happy to have a half empty room. :)
Lori @ Lighten Up! says
Love the dresser – I’m leaning toward the navy as well.
I’ve been all over CL lately looking for a table for our breakfast nook. I want something counter-height so it can serve as extra workspace for my tiny kitchen. I found the perfect table this weekend – if only I can talk them down from $425! Ack!
Thank you again for coming to Portland this weekend. I was so starstruck that I think I babbled random things to you, but my daughter and I both loved the way you signed my “yearbook.” John’s “Have a great summer” cracked us up.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha it was so much fun! Thanks for coming out!
xo,
s
Amanda B says
Just google “The Moose Song” Better yet, I’ll do it. http://www.midcoast.com/~martucci/2nh/Moose.html
It’s NOT PG XD
YoungHouseLove says
Off to check it out!
xo,
s
Lynn @ Our Useful Hands says
Riiiiiigggggghhhtttt…..if only I could turn back time on this one comment here….. :( What’s the emoticon for vomiting? :(D) ?
amanda@reno366 says
Great find! I am always so jealous of you guys and your thrift/craiglist finds. I’m hoping to hit up yard sales up here in Boston in the spring. People are too aware of the the mid-century modern hype and list dressers etc for 500beans! Yikes, I’d just get a new one at West Elm at that point…
Mingshu says
love the lamp shade! Turn the fabric inside out? Brilliant!!!
Steph says
LOVE that daybed!! Did you buy it with the lattice design like that? Was it always white?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup it came that way from West Elm six years ago.
xo,
s
Katie says
Awesome Craigslist find you guys!!! Speaking of Craigslist, random question for you, when you find a large piece of furniture for sale on craigslist, how do you get it to your house (don’t you guys just have a car?) I keep finding stuff I like on CL, but I don’t know how to get it from point A to point B! Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
We usually borrow John’s dad’s SUV.
xo,
s