Remember the photo I’m using as inspiration for our master bedroom makeover?
Well, we found ourselves a black dresser last week!
It came from Eastbrook Flea Market and it’s the perfect size for the wall between the windows on my side of the bed. (Still have to hang the curtains on the window to the left of it. I’ll take a wider shot after we do! 🙂 )
The tag said it was made in the 1850s, and I did some research and found that to be an pretty accurate date range. How a 160-ish-year-old, handmade dresser (whose drawers still work perfectly) could be the same price as a similar-sized chest of drawers from IKEA just boggles my mind!
There’s no evidence of a mirror or anything ever being attached to the back, so I’m not sure if it has always been mirror-less, or if there was a freestanding mirror that came with it when it was originally made? Either way, I adore the twin glove/hankie drawers on the top (maybe I’ll add an arched piece of wood to connect them?), and I’m reeeally excited to accessorize the top and find the perfect piece to hang on the wall above it too. I’ve got a few things in mind, but I’d love to hear what you would put up there! Leave me a comment if you feel like sharing. 🙂 (Keep in mind, there will be a landscape painting above the bed’s headboard!)
I think a vintage oval mirror would look good.
That is exactly what I was going to suggest, vintage oval mirror:) ~Kim
Layla what a find! The dresser is so charming!
Hi Layla,
Love your blog and I have shopped at Eastbrook oodles of times… So fun. I might suggest that you put thin slabs of marble on top of the hanky drawers. That would be simple and elegant too. It would also fit the time period of the piece. It would not distract from your picture either. Can’t wait to see how it turns out. Many blessings to you!
Beautiful find! I’d definitely go with a vintage mirror above it, too!
What a cute dresser! I too would suggest a mirror. I think a mirror with some wood on the frame would tie into the top of the dresser,shades and the oars. Also, it looks as if a wood framed mirror is in the inspiration picture.
You put so much style and magic into every space you decorate.
Love this MB makeover. I was thinking maybe an long and skinny inspirational quote or
Words you like to live by on canvas, wood or framed.Something you see as soon as you open your eyes that makes you smile.
Can’t wait to see what ends up there.
Yep, a mirror is the way to go just like in the inspiration photo. By the way that is also one of my favorite room photos. So good o see you using it as your inspiration. Love what you have done so far. Can’t wait to see it when all finished.
I’d hang a tobacco basket up there!
I love it! It’s the perfect size and the features are the perfect scale for your bedroom. I agree with some of the other readers that an oval mirror would be very nice above it. What a serendipitous find!
I think it is begging for either a round or oval mirror, especially with all the rectangle design style in the room.
I am with the group, it really calls out for a mirror. I love the little drawers too.
Love the dresser! What a great find!
I agree with a round or oval mirror, maybe with some wide rope trimming?
I wonder if the space with the stained wood was for a wash bowl? Don’t know if I would add any wood to it that is fancy, there are no curves now, just linear design. If you do add, I would keep it in the same vein.
What a cute dresser. I agree with some of the other posters, that a mirror above would be great. Instead of an oval, I’d go with a round. What would be even better would be one of the shaped ones you can sometimes find that look more rectangular with rounded off corners and maybe a slightly nipped in “waist.” Have fun on the hunt for a perfect mirror.
You added shutters to your windows. Was that for a practical reason? Or just creating more layers? (I try to learn from you so I can make informed choices in my decorating since I figure you’ll never road trip to Manitoba, Canada)
Yes! We can keep the shades up and the shutters open during the day (except for when I’m taking pictures!) and then close the shutters at night for privacy. The shades can stay up all the time because we are high enough off the ground, but the shutters cover everything that needs to be covered- LOL! 😀
I’m sure you’ll hang the perfect thing above the dresser, can’t wait to see. I just love how much you love the old dresser. I’ve made some furniture pieces and my dream is that in over 100 years someone will still be using my pieces.
I think this is Empire style and dates from 1840 to 1860. I have a very similar piece. Mine is flat across the top and did not come with a mirror. The knobs and lines are the same. Great find!
That is one beautiful piece of furniture. Perfect for your room. Look forward to seeing how you style it.
So darn cute. Congrats on the find!!
Yep, vintage oval mirror!
So pretty. I have a dresser in my foyer that is very similar. Mine has a marble piece in between the little drawers on top. I never knew what those little drawers were for…until today. Thanks for the info 🙂 I have a mirror above mine. The plan was for it to be an oval mirror but I fell in love with a rectangular one instead.
I like how JoAnna Gaines fr Fixer Upper does a grouping of vintage mirrors, maybe 3 small ones hanging fr chains. I also can envision a port hole nautical mirror there.
A nautical mirror that hangs from a rope would look sweet with the oars. I also think a grouping of pretty plates would be gorgeous. The dresser is absolutely stunning! I can’t wait to see how you accessorize it!
Feels like it needs an oval mirror hung above it, and a white pitcher with dried hydrangeas! 🙂
I would put an oval mirror. I just the dresser! Fits perfect in your room.
A family portrait with Sweet-P would be perfect 🙂
Old fashioned men’s mirror with one drawer?
I think the dresser would be enhanced with a good sized vintage oak mirror. I would also put an ironstone pitcher and wash basin in the center. The Lord has blessed you with a great ability to decorate a room. I also love how you use old and new pieces together. I, too, use old and new in our home and get many compliments on the finished product. I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog. May the Lord continue to bless the two of you as your family will soon become three.
I love the dresser! What about arranging a gallery wall of family photos? A place to remind Sonny of his new family members and friends? Or just favorite photos of you three, in a fun collection of mismatched frames?
I just saw a dresser like this one at the candy dance and it really caught my eye because of the mirror. I’m not sure if it was original, but it had like a free standing swivel one that sat in the center of the dresser, towards the back. If that makes any sense. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was wood and the mirror was pretty aged. It was really neat. It looked like a matching set, if that helps any.
Cute dresser! I would definitely hang an oval mirror above it and either paint or change out the drawer knobs!
I actually just painted the drawers knobs that color. They remind me of old porcelain doorknobs! 😀
Because of the straight lines of this dresser.. how about one of those round mirrors with a rope hanger to balance it out? It would kind of tie in with your slightly nautical look, too! (This room reminds me so much of the Muskoka Living website…. love….)
Our neighbor just inherited 15 acres with an old barn that had to be removed. We recovered some of the wood and I’ve been contemplating making a wedding date sign out of one of the old pieces. Something personal like that would look lovely, too….
Feng shui says never hang mirrors in bedrooms, nor pictures of children. SO some Old Chinese lore suggests a painting of a calming environment for sleeping and relaxing the mind. Mayhap a large painting of a scenery would the best there?
loving the progress! If not an antique mirror, I would look into a magnolia wreath or boxwood wreath to fill the space.
Girl I’m waiting to see what you do! We were given a dresser just like this and so far I’ve styled it with a Copenhagen sign and a stuffed pheasant since it’s on my hubby’s side. I’ll comment with a picture tomorrow.
I’d hold that place until I found an original painting that would take my breath away every time I walked past it.
An oval mirror trimmed in collected driftwood would look great as the dresser is open in the center. If glass was added across the top to give a flat surface for display, a round one would complement the space. https://cdn-img-3.wanelo.com/p/387/f10/ddc/ab7363e6f13acb95e3ee06a/x354-q80.jpg
I have some vintage hankies that would be perfect for those drawers! And an vintage oval mirror would be pretty!
Something with words was my first thought. A mirror would work nicely too, but if you don’t need a mirror there, then maybe a big canvas or rustic wood piece with a hand-lettered verse. 🙂
This is all I can see 🙂
https://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1679108
You definitely have a way with making things very polished and pretty. I think a lovely mirror would finish out your dresser. It seems it should have marble on the tops of the two elevated levels. I’m guessing a pitcher and basin for the middle. 😀 I am intrigued by the shutters and blinds combo. I am horrified by what I’ve fixed to my windows, I’ve threatened to nail 2x4s up.lol I have odd windows- tall and skinny in my living room- FOUR of them! I’m just now seeing more blinds available at 72″ length without going full custom. But something about your mix of the 2- I like it. 😀
I inherited this very dresser from my inlaws and love love love the black and refinished wood in the middle. I have looked for a mirror for years and finally found one last month. It is antique with a swivel mirror inside two cute posts. The top is curved and oh yes I now have my inspiration to finish it. Love your blog so much and wish you the most wonderful “Sonny” days to come!
I have a mirror from my mom , vintage 1930’s. It is a mirror with three sides ( hinged) that would fit on top of your dresser. I would be willing to send you a picture and ship. It needs a good home
This dresser, most definitely, is missing it’s original mirror…
I totally agree, an oval mirror, or even a antique decorative edged mirror and hang on the wall, would look great.
I love the idea of either a circle mirror or a bunch of straw hats hung above. its a stunning pieces and i love the keyholes and knobs!
Ahhh I love it!!I actually like it as is it’s unique but oh so pretty 🙂
I would put a vase with flowers, maybe a funky lamp? Some candles or old vintage bottles different sized. Some little trinket dishes and personal items too
Lauren | Lovely Decor
xx
I love that dresser so much! I am always keeping my eyes out for awesome pieces like this at flea markets and things. Right now I’m on the hunt of an interesting bookshelf to do something like this on! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Looks great!