Nope, this isn’t a weight loss post. The scale that I’m talking is this too small had-it-so-we-used-it bookshelf that we shoved into the guest room (just days before my mom arrived) a few months back. Talk about teeny tiny:
And somehow we forgot to update you guys about a little switcheroo that took place after we got our new (well, very old) dresser for the bedroom from John’s dad. So here’s a very belated dresser related news flash: we moved our old malm (from Ikea five years ago when we moved to Richmond from NYC) into the guest room. So it looked like this:
The scale is definitely better. Someday we’d love to get a thrift store dresser or cabinet (our old malm guy has a wonky drawer and more than a few scratches if you look closely enough). But for now it works. Especially because it’s in the we-already-had-it-so-it-was-free category.
There it sat looking a little lonely and still a bit bare up top for a while until late last week. Something got into me and I decided to hunt around in our crazy storage room (aka: the future playroom/second kids bedroom) to find the big mirror (scored for $5 at a garage sale a while back) that used to rest above this very dresser in our old guest room (and then in our old sunroom once the guest room turned into our office as well). It was still wrapped in bubble wrap from back when we moved and leaning in the corner of the playroom. Talk about delayed reactions. It has always been a little bit too big for our malm dresser, but since we someday hope to upgrade to a great thrifted dresser (preferably a smidge wider and made from solid wood so it’ll really go the distance) we’re ok with the 1″ overhang on each side for now (it was like that in our former guest room and sunroom so maybe we’re just used to it).
As for baby safety, Clara’s never in this room alone (we keep the door closed) and we’ve slammed the door and tugged on the dresser a bunch to make sure it’s not too tippy (thankfully it stays put) but if we ever use the room more with Clara we’ll be sure to mount it to the wall (along with the dresser). You know, in the name of maintaining our Captain Careful nicknames.
Oh and of course I added some guests-might-like-it stuff to the top of the dresser too (do you know me at all?). Like a stack of magazines, a book called The United Cakes Of America (who doesn’t like reading about the history of cake and looking at so-amazing-you-wanna-lick-the-book iced creations?)…
… and our piggy bank (that’s really where we drop our change- no idea why it always ends up in the guest room but it was in there in our last house too). So to those who stay with us: look how much we trust you. We must really like you.
I love that the dresser provides a place for guests to store clothing (and for us to shove things they might need like spare shampoo and towels, which we’ve stowed away in the top drawer):
So thanks to inheriting our new dresser from J’s parents when they were selling their house, all this guest room tweaking was free. And nothing feels better than spending zero point zero zero dollars.
Have you guys done any furniture rearranging or swapping? Or wrestled with scale issues of your own? How about finding something awesome on the curb or near a dumpster that’s perfect for your house and totally free? I love those stories. Even though they never happen to me. Hearing them makes me feel like someday my perfect curbside find will come. Gotta keep the dream alive.
karen says
I love the brassy/gold frame of the mirror with that wall colour!! It would be cool if you put more of that tone in there.
Jenny says
Love the mirror, but it looks tippy. Would Clara be able to “rock it” over? just checking, maybe you fixed it to the wall already!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the concern. Clara’s not allowed in the guest room alone (we keep the door closed and supervise her if we’re all in there) but we did slam the door a million times and tug on the dresser and it’s not tippy (it’s very heavy and tilted out enough to be sturdy). But if it ever becomes a room that we’re in more regularly with her we’ll definitely mount it to the wall just in case.
xo,
s
myhonestanswer says
I was hoping you were going to paint that bookcase green! But I agree the replacement looks a better size.
Kim@superchyc says
I love the towel and toiletries (sp?) idea in the top drawer! I don’t know why I never thought of that (could be that any company I have always end up sleeping on the couches instead of the guest room – crazy folks!
Donna Huebsch says
Can’t believe you got the mirror for $5 – don’t you love finding a great deal? As for dumpster diving, I’ve done it once – for the kookiest thing, too. I found one of those revolving eyeglass display stands like you see in stores…you know, the ones with tons of holes running up and down and a few little mirrors on it. I was just sure it could be dressed up and turned into a great display for doing craft shows…it’s still sitting, unadorned, in my garage, and will most likely make its way back to a dumpster :o)
abode love says
I love the new piece- the scale is much better and I just LOVE what a big mirror can do for a room! This one bounces off the natural light in your space beautifully! I also LOVE that you have a piggy bank sitting out for your parents to contribute to…. ha!
abodelove.blogspot.com
Kara says
Oh my GOSH, sister christian, I move furniture from one room to another ALL the time! I was thinking about that this weekend and am kinda excited that I’m old enough and have good enough taste at this point that I don’t need to buy all new stuff when I want a new look. Aging has it’s advantages, I suppose. :)
So, same topic but with a question thrown in there- when we bought our condo it came with two larger than life (think 2 x 3.5 feet)mirrors in each bathroom. While painting…er, watching my partner paint… the kitchen this weekend, I was thinking that I could totally repurpose them buy putting a fun colored frame around them and moving one to over the dresser in the master bedroom! Any ideas on how to do that or a site that might help out?
Thanks- have a GREAT week! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Boy do we have a giveaway for you this afternoon. Too funny. Stay tuned for that idea (and maybe google around for “mirror makeovers” to get other suggestions).
xo,
s
Megan DiNicolantonio says
MirrorMate.com but I personally think their prices are a bit expensive. Or Janell from Isabella and Max Rooms has a great tutorial I have been dying to try! Hope this helps! :) http://www.hgtv.com/bathrooms/how-to-frame-a-plate-glass-wall-mirror/index.html
Let me know what you decide to do, I would love to see!
homesweetlilacdrive.blogspot.com
Mary says
I highly encourage “midnight garage sale-ing” (curbside shopiing) and dumpster diving. This is a run-down of all that I’ve snagged: my dresser, our hall bookcase, a nightstand we store our dog leashes in, a massive dog crate that would normally cost $165, an artist’s easel, all my bookcases, my mirror… that’s all I can think of now!
My rule of thumb is nothing too big, nothing actually in the dumpster (Most the people in my complex leave desirable objects next to the dumpster.), nothing soft, and it should look decent, or at least would after some light cleaning/repairs.
Jennifer says
We moved a bookshelf thing from our bathroom into the nursery. It felt weird at first, b/c I’d gotten used to seeing towels and toiletries on the shelves….now it holds books and toys! The only “new” furniture we got for the nursery is the crib! I’d say we repurposed very well! :-) Once you get a bigger dresser in that space, it will look better. Love the mirror.
Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says
The scale is better, but a slightly larger dresser would be even better! Love the garage sale mirror. We bought a huge one at a sale for $5 several years ago. A few months back, I saw the same mirror in a consignment shop for $80! Wahoo!
Recently, I got an indoor couch that looks like a bench for free from an AA meeting place: http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/bench-warming/
I’ve been working on refinishing it this past week, so hopefully it looks like a million bucks and not a trashy couch…
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says
I love the brassy/gold color of the mirror against the walls (which is a color I really love!). I think the 1″ overhang is fine. You can barely notice it.
I’ll have to wait until I’m home to watch the video, but I do love me some Betty White!
Mary says
You made my day with the acronym YOGA and Betty White!
Happy Monday to you Sherry!
Kathryn says
I love finding things you forgot you had that are in the “free” category :) That mirror looks great, there!
Kristina says
I second a happy green dresser. I bought a 1964 Ethan Allen coffee table for 5 dollars that I am going to turn into an entry bench. I actually plan on painting it green and getting some graphic green and white fabric to make a seat cushion. The green of the headboard in your guest room is what inspired my new found fascination with green.
Miss Hayley says
Just yesterday my mum & I found a big wooden table and six chairs out on the curb in her street! We carried it down the street with people along the way complimenting the table. The table is perfect, exactly what my husband and I envisioned in our future house, but the chairs I may sell. Gotta love some free shopping, all the buzz of shopping without the cost! P.s. Isn’t it amazing how just moving your stuff around can make it feel all brand new?!
misshayleysprettythings.blogspot.com
Cait @ Hernando House says
I made a short list of my trash finds here. I think I’ve pretty much been banned from snagging furniture (the house it getting full), but I’m hoping to one day luck into a large pile of bricks to put towards the patio we’re planning.
Jonel says
I found this desk for free after buying a desk on craigslist (I just transformed it on my blog). It was actually near my mom’s house and I saw it Wednesday night. Thursday morning they put the free sign on when I drove past and that evening it was still there so one of the neighbors helped get in my car. It’s like so ugly and disgusting right now (think bubbled black paint with pink trim) but I have plans. I am always finding ugly ducklings and seeing the potential in them. Where as the average person wouldn’t be bothered. Can’t wait to share the free desks reveal.
Robin @ our semi organic life says
Love that you always have live plants in your rooms. I try to as well but our cat seems to have a life goal of eating those leaves. Not sure what that plant is called specifically but can’t seem to keep it alive in our house. Somehow it thrives in my window-less office though. Love that decorative pot too.
britt says
You need to put a sign next to the bank that says “clara’s college fund.”. That way your guests can contribute when they stay!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s pretty funny.
xo,
s
Meggan says
Hi, I’m Meggan and I’m an addict. (I think you may be too!) I LOVE bargain hunting, but it’s even better when free! I have found the best things on the curb! I had a non-believer friend and she challenged me to do her young son’s bedroom. I found him a bank of 4 (already painted burnt orange and gray) lockers in place of a dresser, a rustic pine headboard, an antique school desk for an end table and a steamer trunk, also antique, for a toybox! All FREE and his room is fabulous! Needless to say, she’s now a convert and a dumpster diver herself. Spread the love! If you ever come to MN, I’ll show you where it’s at!
Angela says
You guys are up early this morning!
I love “treasure” hunting in other people’s trash. My husband hates when I make him pull over while we are driving around to check things out, but I have no fear or shame about it. :) I recently got a great little solid wood desk that I am fixing up and repainting an aqua blue for a sewing table for myself. I love that it was free and that I was able to save it from taking up space in a junkyard.
Nette @ This Dusty House says
The malm looks wonderful with the mirror over it! It certainly needed something. And the shot of the toiletries in the top drawer makes me really wish we had a guest room to decorate and actually outfit as a guest room!
Couldn’t watch the video. :( Hulu is US only!
YoungHouseLove says
Maybe if you google “Betty white bronx beat” it’ll come up on YouTube? Fingers crossed…
xo,
s
Georgia Rowe says
Arrrrghhhh i LOVE it!
I never see bargains like that in the UK, mirrors are so expensive everywhere even in charity or junk shops!
I think you need to do bed and breakfast, instead of payment people help you DIY.. haha
xx
Emily kidd says
One of the furniture stores in town put their furniture on sale and if no one buys it they toss it. Luckily one of our friends is a delivery guy there so we get first dibs on all the stuff! We got a leather recliner chair is perfect condition for free!
Unrelated question…. Im repainting my kitchen cabinets is there a reason I can spray paint them?
YoungHouseLove says
Spray paint can be very drippy and uneven and it can stay tacky for a loooong time so using a brush or roller with oil based primer and latex or oil based paint is always the recommended method for not-experts (if you have a paint sprayer and have used it a lot and are good at it then this excludes you and we say go for it). Good luck!
xo,
s
Tara H says
Sherry,
You do amazing things with zero point zero zero dollars! Very cute dresser/mirror combo. Also I hadn’t seen the Bronx Beat episode, so THANK YOU for posting it. HILARIOUS!!!
Tara
Erin says
Love that mirror and agree the scale is soooooooo much better in that space. I have a couple of similar bookshelves to the one you replaced, and i struggle with using them as well! They have great utility but the lines are just not… beefy enough? Or something. It’s that scale thing.
We are currently using the old end tables we had in our living room in our last home as bedside tables. I liked the whole free aspect too!
Julia says
I think you guys have lost me as a reader. It’s not that your blog isn’t very well done still, but I miss the days back a few years ago when I was more your target audience- childless, young, single or newly married. Now every post is about babies and most of your readers seem to either have kids or will soon. I’m really not being mean, obviously you’re excited new parents but I just find myself increasingly being unable to relate to the new, family-centric feel of the blog. I was hoping when you assured readers when you became pregnant that the focus would stay strictly on design and decorating, but I think people love your blog not only for the DIY but for peeking into your lives like a John & Sherry Reality Show, and that’s just not my cup of tea. But it was a fun ride while it lasted, best of luck to ya!
YoungHouseLove says
Sorry to see you go but we totally understand! Our blog has always been about our lives along with our projects (our pup, our wedding, our vacations, our anniversaries, etc) so we know that as we change (and our family grows) our readers will change too. Hope you find a new blog that rocks your socks. And thanks for the time that you’ve spent with us.
xo,
s
heyruthie says
this post is 8-9 paragraphs long, and only 1 of them mentions Clara–and the purpose of that section is to help other people adapt *design* to their growning families. so i still see design as the main point of that paragraph as well. john and sherry, i think you’ve done a great job at keeping the blog interesting, fun, and on track. and FWIW, i’ve followed you for several years, and i’m a reader who has 4 children, and i was thrilled when Clara came along, and although i love your “old” style, your new style is even more accessible to me, with 4 very…ahem….colorful children running around here (read: ketchup on chairs is very “colorful!”) so i’m a happier reader than ever.
Caity says
I don’t have any kids, and I love your blog :)
Kamantha says
I just bought my forever home and I LUV your blog! Even though I dont have any kids (…yet!), I take the design ideas and comments and leave the rest! Keep doin’ you!
Darcy says
Just the opposite here — I checked out your site a few years ago, but only recently have I become an eager follower. I like the Clara-centric posts as much as the diy and design ones, although it is the design ideas that I look forward to when I open my reader. I don’t normally comment, or even read the comments, but since this one caught my attention I thought I’d let you know: one down, one up.
Love the name Clara, btw. My own bean is Cora.
YoungHouseLove says
That was actually another name on our list! Love it.
xo,
s
karen says
Sherry said it best…their blog has been about their lives from the beginning.
Nothing has changed..but the evolution of their family.
I don’t know…was that even worth commenting Julia??
Ashley says
I agree, the scale definitely look better, but you guys must not be superstitious. Two mirrors facing each other? I don’t know that I have any good reason for my fear of this other than I’ve heard it’s bad feng shui and it gives me the heebee jeebees – bloody mary anyone? – yikes! Haha, I know, I’m such a nerd!
YoungHouseLove says
I didn’t think about Feng Shui. Haha. I just worried if two mirrors was too much for the room but John said that since one was above the bed (hung high) and guests couldn’t use it go check their outfits/hair before emerging it would be nice to add a lower and larger one. I also figure since the walls are so saturated it’s nice to add some lightness and sparkle. Hope we don’t end up with bad Feng Shui luck!
xo,
s
Gina @ Runningtothekitchen says
Never would’ve thought to pair that big mirror with a smaller dresser, but love it! I have a thing for big mirrors. I’ve been eyeing a huge floor one from Pier One for ages for our master bedroom, it’s just so expensive!
Kate says
I agree the dresser is a smidge too small, but I love the idea you have going. That big mirror is perfect and I love how you have a few towels and toiletries in the dresser for guests.
Lisa says
My mom once found an old antique Singer sewing machine table (not the machine, just the table) on the curb in our neighborhood. Like really old, early Singer (late 19th or early 20th century I think.) It was beautiful, sold wood with iron scroll work on the sides. She uses it as an end table in the living room. I think maybe only one leg was wonky or it had a few scratches, super easy to fix couldn’t understand how anyone could just throw it away.
Melissa says
Amazing how that quick change fills the space so much better. We changed out a dresser in our room and realized the difference right away. Now I just need to finish the accessorizing and we’ll be in business.
RhodeyGirl says
I immediately thought that you could put 2 matching skinny tall lamps there, one on each side of the dresser. Or even move the dresser over to one side and put a pretty plant?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah that would look great! The room’s still definitely evolving so it’ll be fun to see where we end up.
xo,
s
Kate says
I love moving furniture around our house. My husband teases me that I squelch my desire to move homes yearly by rearranging furniture monthly.
I love that you guys work with what you have–it makes your blog so relatable to readers like me with limited budgets!
The mirror does look to me like it overwhelms the dresser a bit (I know that it’s a temporary fix, so not a big deal)–but have you tried actually hanging the mirror on the wall intead of just having it leaning against it? We had a huge mirror over a dresses that looks disproportionate and hanging it directly on the wall actually helped a lot.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip. We definitely might tweak it and hang it on the wall down the line! I think we’ll wait to find a more permanent dresser and then experiment to see what we like best.
xo,
s
Danielle says
I agree. I think the mirror would look better proportioned with the dresser if it was several inches higher. This would work with the larger scale dresser you plan on getting down the line as well.
Kaely says
Yeah, I totally agree. I think the scale of the mirror overwhelms the dresser. And I keep picturing the mirror hung up on the wall (and imagining some sort of legs on the dresser). It needs a little bit of breathing room.
Marci says
Looks great. Speaking of mirrors, I’ve been searching around for a mirror like the one you have in Clara’s room and above the desk in the living room. Any ideas on where I can find one? I thought it would be simple but I’ve had trouble spotting one.
YoungHouseLove says
That mirror is from Marshall’s so any store like TJ Maxx and HomeGoods might have it too. As for the desk, it’s from West Elm but overstock.com has a lookalike sometimes. And ana-white.com has a building tutorial that you could try. Good luck!
xo,
s
Laura says
Much better – and the mirror was a steal.
I like the bank – maybe it’s a tip jar for the guest room cleaning service!
Suzanne says
Giant mirrors are like the white whale of garage sales – I feel like I’m ALWAYS hunting for them and never find them.
I found a huge picture frame in someone’s trash a few years ago that I have repurposed four different times in different projects. I still can’t believe someone just threw away a carved wood frame because the glass was cracked.
Laura says
I have a mirror leaning like this on my buffet/dresser in our living room. I was worried about it falling over as well so I used those picture hangers that are hinged and attached them close to the top of the mirror (maybe 8-10 in. down) then put nails with larger heads where they hit the wall and have them sitting over them. Now if it starts to slide or tip they will catch and the mirror will not be in a million pieces on my floor. Reading this to myself it sounds confusing! Hope it helps if you need an idea.
YoungHouseLove says
Love it. Very smart.
xo,
s
Eilene says
I love that mirror! What a great find! This weekend I raided my MIl’s basement. You wouldn’t believe all the furniture that’s sitting down there… Rotting. I was looking for a table for my deck. She had one Cute table with sides that fold up. The legs are pretty close to the center and I imagine it can tip. I have a 1 year old. Any thoughts as how to make it safer for a little one? Also scored two solid one hundred year old chairs that need love. don’t talk to me about the old office chair that she tossed on the curb :(
YoungHouseLove says
If you’ll keep it folded out you could move the legs further out and reinforce the top (from underneath) so it doesn’t fold anymore and is more sturdy. Good luck!
xo,
s
Marla says
Nice! Though I admit I was busy admiring the wall paint color again! Do you have plans to switch out the interior doors one day? They’re very basic/flat so it would be easy to outfit them with trim and/or paint to make some faux paneled doors. Not that your doors are “ugly” per se, I just this in your future :) These two resources were my favorites:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/285041/list/DIY-Project–Upgrade-That-Ugly-Door-
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2008/08/making-faux-paneled-doorits-not-faux.html
YoungHouseLove says
Love those projects! We’d definitely love to update our doors (and hinges and hardware) someday! It’s on our huge to-do list, we’re just not sure when we’ll tackle it. Soon I hope…
xo,
s
Janelle says
What a switch, not only does the dresser look nicer but it’s also more functional. I love the idea of leaving towels and things in the top drawer too. Haha. Clara’s College Fund!
Also, completely unrelated to this post, but THANK YOU for introducing me/all your readers to Pinterest. It is such a great website & is very helpful when you write a blog to be able to give credit where credit is due. I’m in the process of transfering over my Firefox bookmarks & I “followed” you. Hope that’s all right!
Take care, Janelle
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Janelle! I agree that Pinterest is an awesome place to “keep” ideas (and share them too)! So glad we all get to play over there. It’s my happy place.
xo,
s
Jenn says
Seconding the Pinterest love (and thanks for directing me to it). I signed up and got my Mom hooked as well. We were both of the magazine-tear-sheet school of collecting images, and for anyone who is the same, I heartily recommend Pinterest, as it allows the same idea gathering in a much easier, less piles of random magazine tears sort of way. Also, when sooneone repins me, I feel like a design rockstar:)
Emily says
Ditto! Also, within a week of you mentioning Pinterest, Nate Berkus did too so I was SOLD! :D
Love the garage sale find, but I just don’t have the patience for them. I hate being watched by the owners with their unconcealed stares that say “Buy our stuff!” Just let me shop in peace! :)
Krysta @ Domestic for Dummies says
I like the new dresser much better! I am always searching for things on the side of the road but never come across anything amazing. Plus I am worried about inheriting things from other people like bed bugs and would wonder why it wasn’t donated, like maybe someone peed on it?? I think I might just be uber paranoid.
Dana says
I found a huge dresser on the side of the road at least nine years ago, and thought it would be perfect for my son… somehow managed to get both the dresser and huge mirror into the back of my Ford Escort station wagon… it was covered in skateboard and band stickers and I offered to refinish it and/or paint it but he liked it… now he is moving into his own apartment and refinishing it himself! A great find that has lasted longer than any other piece of furniture we have!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s such a cool story! So glad the dresser got to live on with your fam.
xo,
s
katie n says
my husband found a wheel barrow with a flat tire in the dumpster at work. he brought it home and we got a new tire from lowe’s and it totally works. i’d love to find some furniture instead though ;)
Katie says
I. Love. Bronx Beat. (Favorite one: http://www.hulu.com/watch/1390/saturday-night-live-bronx-beat) “What are you, Sioux? Sioux? You got Sioux in you? Chippewa. Sioux?” OK, that’s all. :)
YoungHouseLove says
We say that all day long. What are you Cherokee?
xo,
s
Melissa @ thefauxmartha says
I am a huge fan of Warren Brown’s cookbooks! I just got United Cakes of America for valentines day and I’ve been baking cakes from Cake Love for a couple years. Best recipes ever!
Ashley says
Yes it looks good but as a mom of little fellas I say – just hang it up! I promise your guests will let the little miss in and not be as attentive as you are in there. It just happens. People that aren’t constantly around kids aren’t as aware of things the way parents with little kids are. Little kids always want to be where the guests are. We deal with this every time we have people staying over….
Elisa says
I’ve pulled a coffee table from the curb! It’s not amazing-looking or anything, but it’s functional. What was originally a we’ll-use-it-for-now piece has now become a what-did-i-ever-do-without-you piece of furniture :)
kelsey says
it looks great! i am constantly re-arranging stuff too!
Kelly says
I have a scale issue right now and can’t seem to find the perfect fix. We have a HUGE bed. Not on purpose, we just didn’t realize how big it’d be once we got it put together (I’m just talking basic metal frame, box springs, and mattress). Now we have a space above the bed that needs something, but it has to be just the right size to look good. So naturally it’s empty…until that perfect piece comes. Oy vey.