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.
Sara says
Looks a lot better guys! I agree, the old shelf looked comically small in the space. It’s always nice to have a mirror in a guest room.
However, I must agree with everybody else – hang that sucker up. It’s strange to think I’m worried about the welfare of a bub on the other side of the world that I’ll never meet… But I am! Like someone said, all it takes is for someone to accidentally leave the door open, especially when she’s toddling. The same thing happened to my nephew once – parents thought it was safe as houses, the cheeky monkey pulled down onto himself. Cue a LOT of blood and stitches in the noggin. Please secure it.
I’m thinking aligning the top of it to the tops of the doors :)
Jenny W. says
I love finding new used for old things that I have laying around the house!
Kim says
Not sure if this actually counts since it wasn’t really free but when my husband and I moved to Los Angeles we responded to a Craigslist ad for a TV (which sold for $15,000 in 2004 which he was selling for a few hundred dollars). When we got there he kept “throwing things in” like a Breville blender, other small household appliances, frames, a computer monitor, some exercise equipment, a sound system, and a bunch of other stuff. Everything was super high end and he was basically giving it away. Long story shortish – we ended up spending about $700 and got over $25k of merchandise. Insane! We figured out later that he had just gone through a painful divorce and was just trying to get rid of everything that reminded him of his wife. We still feel a little guilty…are we bad people?
YoungHouseLove says
Nah it probably helped him feel better!
xo,
s
samantha owens says
1. am i the only one who thinks the piggy bank books a little phallic? no? just me? lol
2. freaking hilarious video. hahhaahaha!
3. you guys had me laughing at the ‘dumpster hunting’ question. it made me think of this clip which yall HAVE to watch. i know yall will pee your pants from laughing!
YoungHouseLove says
Hilarious! Almost as good as “Put A Bird On It.”
xo,
s
Kaity says
My other half and I managed to score a free outdoor setting which not only made my day when we found it, it made my day for about the next three months. We woke up one morning and looked out the window and saw it sitting in the front yard across the road with a sign hanging off it. We assumed it was for sale so we went to take a peek and found that instead of a price he sign said ‘Free, please take me’ – score! I’m working up the nerve to take a stab at recovering the cushions so hopefully it’ll be making my day some more very soon :)
charlotte says
See, now I thought you were going to do something like stack the small shelf on top of the small dresser like a hutch. Of course you’d have to attach it for safety and practical reasons, but I’m sure you could do it somehow. And wouldn’t that make an interesting piece of furniture?
YoungHouseLove says
S uch a fun idea! I’d want to paint them to match (since their tone is a little different) but sadly I don’t have any luck painting laminate furniture (which the Ikea dresser is made of). Oh well, the mirror really does make the dark painted room feel lighter and roomier.
xo,
s
Kristen in Hawaii says
Dropping in to say that laminate CAN be painted with great results! I was hesitant at first, but I’ve made over a bunch of laminate pieces that were either in our vacation rental or leftover from John’s bachelor days. Zinsser BIN primer (shellac-based) and regular old latex paint (or spray paint) will do the job. I’ve done a couple that are smooth and sleek, and a couple that are distressed and aged looking, and you’d never know about their sordid laminate pasts. With good primer, a mini foam roller, and a little sanding between coats, the laminate beast can be tamed. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip!
xo,
s
Hope says
I guess I am in the minority but I think this dresser is perfect for a guest room- a large dresser would make the room look hotel-y and isn’t that what our house guests don’t want? Unless it’s a long stay I think the dresser is perfect. Thanks
Steph @ BirdHouse Family says
You’re right – the scale is much better now, especially with the mirror on top which helps to fill the space vertically. No great curb finds for me, but I did score some pretty sweet deals at the Michigan Antique and Collectible festival this weekend:
http://birdhousefamily.blogspot.com/2011/06/midland-antique-festival.html
Shaundra says
I want to see if you can use “Leather Weather” or “De-Luscious” in a post!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s a challenge I can readily accept!
xo,
s
Shunta says
totally unrelated but have you seen these on sale at west elm http://www.westelm.com/products/david-stark-outdoor-string-lights-w618/?pkey=call-outdoor they’d be so nice in your new patio space!!
YoungHouseLove says
Those are so sweet! Thanks for the tip!
xo,
s
Amorie says
Hmmm.. this is one where I actually liked the before better. I thought the spaces where you can see the wall through the smaller bookcase added a lot of visual interest, which went nicely with the other decor in the room. You are right about the scale, but I feel like the new configuration is still lacking that interest and glam that’s carried through the rest of the room.
Liz A. says
OK, so where I live we have a monthly “big trash day” where you can basically put anything that does not fit in your trash can for normal pick up on your front lawn and the town will come and pick it up. I am sure that it has a more legitimate name to it (bulk residential pick up or some such nonsense) but lets call it what it is, “big trash day”. Most of the things that adorn the front lawns of my phoenix neighborhood are piles of lawn things (cactus fronds and branches with a ton of spikes on them) but occasionally one can find a real steal…I, however, am not one of them. I often will see something I think would be great, but I am on my way to work or whatever, and it will be gone by the time I get home. This is because of the trash hunters that seem to know the routes of the big trash day pick ups and swoop in for the kill with thier pick up trucks and hatchbacks…alas, I have not found my “find”. Gotta go, its “leatha weatha” in Phoenix…not really.
Nicole says
I love your blog! I’m newly married and we’ve had our first house for a little over a year. Most of our furniture is of the hand-me-down background, so I love to see how you repurpose items! By the way, you’ve inspired me to start blogging, too. It’s on a different topic, but informative and helpful like yours. I love that you stay dedicated and post every workday, but that you take weekends off for family time. Thanks for overflowing with inspiration!
Elizabeth says
Just wanted pass by to say hello and that I’m a new bee to your blog. I came about your blog when I googled backyard weddings! I must say that I love it! I don’t have kids or a house yet but I love your style. You guys have given great ideas that I will be putting to good use :) Oh and Clara is soooooooo adorable times a million.
Ann says
Thats how I came across them too! I dont have kids either, but I do own a house and love their DIY projects as well as their witty humor! Only blog I follow!
Jessy says
Love your blog! Just thought I’d point out something funny: your homepage header says “Young House Love – One young family + one old house = love.” It looks like you’re missing your young family!
YoungHouseLove says
Yeah we’re definitely inching away from being considered young anymore. Haha. But we figure Clara and Burger keep us young. Hah.
xo,
s
Care says
OMG I love Bronx Beat!!! You totally made my day with that!!!
Carmen says
Hi Sherry! I know how upset you were when your ceramic dog broke..but I found another for you on hautelook.com! Just thought I’d let you know!
http://www.hautelook.com/product/1844462
YoungHouseLove says
Love it!
xo,
s
Ann says
I picked up an old sewing table and chair off the side of the road! (Its a beautiful one that folds out and hides my machine well) My machine fits perfect in it and I plan on reupholstering the chair! Best find ever!
Kristen in Hawaii says
When I hear “zero point zero” I just think of Animal House. Mister Blutarsky! Love the mirror, and I’m totally coveting your drawer of guest towels and toiletries.
Sayward says
OMG I’ll never spell the word ‘YOGA’ the same way again!
Erin @ Out on a Limb... says
I had a re-arranging attack not long after Christmas when one end of my long living room, once a living-dining-room combo, looked empty and unbalanced after taking the tree down. I dragged my Ikea Hemnes dresser out of my bedroom and tried it all over the room until I found the right spot. I leaned one of my favorite pieces, a big wood mirror that I scored at Marshalls years ago for $35, on top of it. I’m always tweaking the top and hunting for Goodwill treasures, but it’s pulled the whole room together and added toy storage to boot. Now to find a new-old dresser for my room, lol. Love your blog. Thanks for sharing and inspiring!
Tanya says
I found 2 great wicker chairs at the curb when the neighbors moved out. Picked up a wicker table at a antique/vintage shop for $15. Sprayed it all white and it’s a lovely addition to my back patio. Although I did spend $40 for cusions, it was still a great deal!
Living in a college town makes for great bargain hunting. Crusing around campus when the semester’s over and collecting what the students toss out is a junker’s delight!!
Jenna says
while it looks better than the bookshelf I think if you hung the mirror to align with the molding of the doors it might look better since it is so off right now….I’m just sayin’……
Love the little touches you provide for your guests, very thoughtful.
Kacie says
It looks great! We are in the process of converting our office in to a guest room! yay!
Kacie
http://www.acollectionofpassions.blogspot.com
Carolann says
I don’t have kids, but I do have a french bulldog that will suddenly go on a running frenzy which leads to sliding into walls and furniture. And wrestling matches between him and our shepherd mix are common, too, so I have to “child-proof” the house. Anyway, for a propped up mirror, I have used OOK tremor picture hangers. (They sell them at Home Depot.) They are picture hooks with a clip type mechanism, and the picture/mirror wire clips in so they don’t fall off the wall during earthquake tremors. They also say kid-safe on them and I use them for hanging most pictures despite living where there are no tremors…. If they get bumped because you’re clumsy, or saaaay, a dog or kid toy accidentally flies into one because maybe you’re cursed with bad aim, the pictures won’t fall down. Yay! Anyway, I use them to secure a propped mirror or picture by using a longer amount of picture wire between the eye hooks on back. There are probably better ways to more solidly secure a really heavy piece, but the OOKs give a little extra security for very little money and effort. Especially when propping smaller or lighter pieces. And I love the casual look of a propped piece here and there :)
-Carolann
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip Carolann!
xo,
s
Aimee says
Before we moved to this house, we found an ottoman on the curb. I made DH load it into the car, knowing it might be perfect someday. Sure enough, it FITS. We have a large living room, with vaulted ceilings and our very own Karl. The ottoman is 40″ on each side – HUGE, but perfect scale in this house! Its scratched leather upholstery is perfect for a house with young boys in it, too. I didn’t pay a dollar for it, and it’s already dinged up, so I couldn’t care less what they do to it!
Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating says
You know what might give that plain ol’ dresser some extra oomph? Feet. Have you thought of that? Some simple mid-century-style feet might be a good match for the simple design of the table. Not sure if they would actually work, but the idea just came to my head and thought I’d share.
YoungHouseLove says
You’re right! Feet could be really fun! One of the drawers is wonky and the laminate is scratched though. So something solid wood and secondhand might still be the long-term solution for us!
xo,
s