Waxing the slides is a good solution, you will have to repeat it periodically. I have fixed wooden drawer slides (if the wood slides or drawer sides are in good enough shape) by using a pvc strip to create a semi-permanent sliding surface. A good source is "V-flex" type window and door weatherization gasket strips. These are flat pvc strips that are sold to weatherize doors and windows. One half of the strip has an aggressive adhesive; you fold the strips in half to create a weatherproof seal. I cut the non-adhesive backed side off and use the remaining side with the adhesive on either the drawer bottom or dresser slide. You will need to clean the wood surface of any dust and wax before applying the strip. Either maintaining a wax or pvc slide will also eliminate the erosion of both wood drawer bottom and slide that happens to old drawers over time. Eventually the wear will cause the drawer to tilt backwards when closed and can even wear away clear to the drawer bottom panel.

Hi! This is my first posting in this forum, but I hope I can be of use...I've been thinking about a similar project. I saw a dresser-desk project a few years ago in one of the BHG magazines. They removed the bottom two drawers, then sawed out the sliders and kick plate of a three drawer chest, leaving the top drawer as storage in the desk. after sanding their cuts, they lined the sides and back of the new knee hole with thin plwood (luan) and painted it all. They used the drawers they had removed as under-bed storage in the same room. They put wheels on the drawers and used the same colors and hardware to keep it similarly styled. For the hutch part you want, can you find a small bookshelf about the same width as the dresser-desk to place on top? Then you could use similar trim around the top edge to tie the two pieces together. Hope this helps. Emily

Not sure what your budget or style is, but you might find something online at Home Decorators Collection Cabinets at Home Decorators: http://www.homedecorators.com/Furniture/Living_Room/Cabinets/#p=1&s=popular Consoles at Home Decorators (some with storage): http://www.homedecorators.com/Furniture/Living_Room/Console_Tables/#p=1&s=highPrice Buffets and Sideboards at HDC: http://www.homedecorators.com/Furniture/Kitchen_%26_Dining_Room/Buffets_%26_Sideboards/

Re: furniture locks My grandmother used to lock furniture doors/drawers when I was a toddler/preschooler. We had a German MCM set of furniture that included a china hutch, wardrobe, secretary, sideboards and a chifferobe. Besides that, we had a freestanding pantry in the kitchen and a bedroom set with a wardrobe and dresser which had their own locks too. My Grandma carried the keys in her apron pocket. My parents have a very cool big old medieval-looking chest. It's made of thick boards with metal plates hammered over the whole chest surface. The handles, lock and key are hand forged. When you unlock it, the lock plays a tune - like small bells inside. I guess it served as an alarm . :-)