Global Icons: The Apothecary Chest
With an ancient provenance and modern usefulness, apothecary chests let you divide and conquer storage and style
Apothecary chests, which have numerous square pullout drawers, were used in the Middle Ages in Europe and the Far East by predecessors of our pharmacists and general practitioners. The chests, often wall mounted in shops or carried from house to house, stored medicines, tobacco, spices and herbs.
Today's apothecary chests come in many shapes and styles, and their utility as functional storage systems makes them a popular decor addition.
Today's apothecary chests come in many shapes and styles, and their utility as functional storage systems makes them a popular decor addition.
In this Newport Beach, California, home, the apothecary chest in the dining area serves as both a storage system and a small tablescape that extends the home's hand-me-down theme. The chest, photos and dining table all belonged to members of the couple's families.
Here's another example of how an apothecary chest adds to an overall theme. The distressed chest speaks the same warm and rustic-chic decor vocabulary as the natural fiber shades, earth-tone painting, hardwood floors and cowhide armchair.
Tastemaker Justina Blakeney brought the outdoors inside with this pine apothecary chest. Found in a thrift shop in Los Angeles, the chest was repurposed in her "jungalow as a planter. It draws the eyes up to papier-mâché animal heads and is purposely placed by the window, exposing the plants to natural light.
Tip: Don't be afraid to use apothecary chests creatively. Pull out drawers strategically to form a geometric, three-dimensional display.
Tip: Don't be afraid to use apothecary chests creatively. Pull out drawers strategically to form a geometric, three-dimensional display.
These apothecary drawers go back to their spice roots in this homeowner's kitchen remodel. The owner says the drawers were not originally part of the cabinet design, but were added as a place to store the many tea and coffee bins that would normally occupy space on the countertop.
Suchow Apothecary Chest
This white apothecary chest would make a beautiful wardrobe storage solution. Line the insides with shelf liners and store your delicate hosiery, silk underthings and cashmere socks inside. I would use the center cupboard as a place to store journals, snail-mail letters and other important printed matter and sentimental tchotchkes.
Apothecary Chest
Here's a Chinese apothecary chest in elm wood that doesn't need anything but a home that appreciates its timeless beauty.
DIY blogger Nicky Pittman yearned for more pattern and color with her apothecary chest, so she decorated each drawer with paper, fabric and other embellishments.
Tip: Get crafty with your chest's drawer surfaces. Most look great as is, but if the drawers don't quite fit within your room's decor, take matters into your own hands with a DIY update.
Tip: Get crafty with your chest's drawer surfaces. Most look great as is, but if the drawers don't quite fit within your room's decor, take matters into your own hands with a DIY update.
Tip: Don't be turned off by short and stout apothecary chests. Add elevation to a chest that's too close to the ground with a stand or place the chest on top of a sturdy wood block. This chest comes with a 42-inch iron stand.