would it be possible to 'modern-ize' these dressers? How?

15 years ago

Price is amazing. We're in dire need, and these are the last pieces we'd need in our bedroom. But they are so old-fashioned-looking, to my eye. I'd hate them every day, as is.

Other furniture in the room:

--large dark walnut-stained panel bed, vaguely Mission-y

--on other side, in sitting area, Henredon-ish chair and newly acquired MCM leather loveseat:

http://lascruces.en.craigslist.org/fuo/937178105.html

Chair is sorta like this but the arms are more turned. Imagine it in white linen:

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product.do?method=get&id=368132&coll=4197438&cat=91552822

(if anyone can make these into pics I'd be grateful!)

Would there be a way to make these dressers look more MCM or streamlined? Would it involve substantial refinishing or repainting? Replacing the hardware? (with what?)

Thanks, you creative folks! I would never be able to answer this question on my own.

Here is a link that might be useful: the dressers in question

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Comments (7)

mahatmacat1
15 years ago
Weeeel, they're a *real* challenge, IMO...anything's possible but what I see there would require a *lot* of work.

I'd pass and wait for the perfect thing to come along. It will. These are really big pieces to be compromising that much on.
teacats
15 years ago
Would need a total dark re-staining AND new modern silver hardware.

Hardware change might be easy -- but a total re-stain job might take lots and lots of work.

Here is a link that might be useful: Possible pulls for the drawers
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good point justgotabme, In fact I'd venture to say that most in fact are NOT painted. (I will have to confirm this tomorrow morning while I'm there setting up my cabinets etc). Not sure about the hardware question, I guess overall that depends on whether it's painted or stained. UGH am I back to not knowing again? What I'm not completely clear about is perhaps not so much about whether to paint or stain, but more about the "appraisal" of sorts of the piece itself. In my own summary, IF the wood is average/damaged in some way, then painting will hide this best and give the dresser new life. On the other hand, IF the dresser is worthy of maintaining in it's original condition, to minimize the amount of change to the piece, then staining would seem right. In this dressers case, Since it required a good deal of sanding to remove scratches, rings, burn marks etc, then the RAF (without staining first) would not work. and in fact staining itself may not really work well? SO that's what I'm confused about is the varying opinions on actually how worthy is this wood, and how well will stain work on it. Painting to me seems like the easy route, with as much (in some cases) bang for the buck.
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Take a picture of the top, print it out and practice on the paper. Take good notes about which colors you used. Do it again with clear plastic over the spot you are repairing to double check your choiced. And apply one coat of clear shellac on the top before you overpaint so it doesn't soak into the wood. Then protect the top because the overpainting is susceptible to damage. That's fake tiger oak. The oak was extremely popular but not plentiful, so low-priced manufacturers resorted to painting on the grain they wanted onto a plainer wood. The underlying wood is going to be alder or whatever is easy to work and cheap in the area.
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What color and style of pulls would you use on this dresser?
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Lukki - Sorry I wrote my last post in a hurry and should have just waited until I had a few more min. I like a mix of stained and painted pieces in a kid room. We'll probably eventually buy a headboard second hand and it's usually easier, and gives more options, to paint so I figure the headboard will later be painted. I plan to add art and toys and all that kid stuff. Actually DS1's room has too many painted pieces for my preference, but I don't have the energy to strip any of the furniture right now so it is what it is. And it looks fine for now. A while back I was going to strip the night stand in that room, but it will have to wait at least until spring. I'm still not feeling super, unfortunately. Tibb - You're right about holes and dowel rods. A lot of the fun hardware tends to be knobs though and not pulls. I'll have to look around more. I also don't want to spend a fortune on them. I'd have to find something that really is captivating to me. Hmmm... maybe some type of nautical pull. Not seeing much so far that aren't knobs. Rope pull from Anthro. Iron and jute, 3" from Anthro. Wrap some pulls. Some other DIY handles. Showing with stained wood. Rugged rope with tied knots. I think this would be hard to do. I think it would be fun to find a fish, lobster, or whale pulls. So far the few I'm seeing look serious and like they belong in a lake house. What about painted pulls? Red, blue, or white? Pumpin out ideas... colored pulls wrapped in twine.
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Congrats on your new home. I think you've got a good start. I like your sofa - it looks comfy and is well proportioned in the room. A fun shag rug and some bolder, graphic pillows would be my suggestion -- or another colorful rug that might brighten things up. You could also add a starburst mirror on the wall next to the windows. I would put a plant behind the yellow chair and bring a throw pillow that coordinates with the ones on the sofa to tie it together. I would also put a long console table behind the sofa with a single lamp on it like the below photo: I'm intrigued by the concept of new build in MCM style. Are you in CA?
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dilly_dally
15 years ago
I do not think you could turn those into a MCM piece. I would wait and find somemthing else if MCM is your desire. In my opinion the price is not really a steal or a bargain but I do not know how things price in your area.
Ideefixe
15 years ago
I think you could, with some stain and new hardware, get them to work with the Craftsman look. The long low dresser, sans mirror, has more chance than the chest, I think.
walkin_yesindeed
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, all. That was kinda my impression as well, but I am so visually limited that I needed your comments to be sure. Not interested in taking on a huge restaining project right now (or ever, really). Back to the Craigslist drawing board.
mahatmacat1
15 years ago
Good idea, walkin -- you don't want to let the fates think you're greedy :) -- you snagged that couch so let that be your prize for a week or two :)
dilly_dally
15 years ago
walkin, be cautious when you see '70s era furniture like that, as they often have plastic molded fronts and cannot be reworked. That feature may not show in CL cell phone photos and could prove to be disappointing when you go see the item in person.

Prices of good condition MCM modern furniture has skyrocketed in some areas but can be had for a song in other areas. Hopefully you will find that gem.

would it be possible to 'modern-ize' these dressers? How?

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would it be possible to 'modern-ize' these dressers? How?

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mahatmacat1

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