Posts Tagged ‘tall chest of drawers’

Questions To Ask When Buying A New Dresser

February 10th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Buying, Features

Mirrored Chest Of Drawers

Rather you are looking for a 3 drawer, 5 drawer or more chest of drawers you may have some specifics in mind when looking for the right piece. What motivates your purchase, when buying that favorite piece for the bedroom or other areas of the home? Some of the questions below may have never even been considered in past purchases.

Is it cost and quality? The “cost of quality” isn’t the price of creating a quality product or service. It’s the cost of NOT creating a quality product or service. The same can go when making a purchase. How much will your cost be if your first purchase is not of the best quality? Is purchasing every year or two what you have in mind, than by all means find the least cost with the least quality. All of these are very important questions to ask when considering purchasing a new chest of drawers.

Is it color, wood, or size? Do you like painted, stained, varnished, or natural look? Is there specific items you would like to match your purchase to that already exist in the home? Do you prefer a soft pliable wood or a hard wood with lots of durability. Is a tall and skinny or short and wide a issue on space?

Could it be the number or drawers and the space it gives? What do you plan on using the chest of drawers for? A short dresser may have 3 large drawers or 4 drawers, one being a split drawer. Do the drawers need to be deep or shallow? Is it for dishes, cloths, or miscellaneous needs?

Do you have a preference on if it should be a modern piece or an antique? Is William and Mary more your style, or do you prefer a more retro approach?

Could it be a mixture of things? Are you looking for a Cherry Wood at chest height with 5 drawers that can be used in the kitchen? Could legs of a considerable height appeal better than one that sits flat to the ground? So many choices to chose from, where should you start? Just think of all of these questions as motivators to help you find the right unit for you.

One may walk in and purchase the right piece immediately while another may take some time to think and shop around. No matter what you shopping techniques are when purchasing a chest of drawers you know when you have found the right piece.

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A Brief History of Chest of Drawers

February 10th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in History, Styles & Types

We thought it’d be useful to go over the history of the chest of drawers, before you gather your questions and go looking for the unit that suits you.  A descendant of the original box with a hinged lid known as a coffer or coffers, dressers can be dated back as early as the 16th century. According to an article written by Thomas Hamilton Ormsbe, “the first chest of drawers were made between 1675 and 1700” (The Collectors Weekly, 2010). Taking a look into why, when, how, and even where the beginnings of this unique household item began its journey into what it is known as today.

Before the time of closets or appropriate shelving, a need had to be fulfilled for the storage of certain household items. These items needed storage for privacy, safekeeping, and even organization. As early as the middle ages this need can be seen as a wooden box with a lid, also known as a coffer. Not to be confused with a coffin although it shares similarities. Those of higher ranking in society were most likely to own a coffer. In this time coffers served multiple purposes including moonlighting as seating or for storing items for traveling, and even a crib. With time and change throughout history just like most things, the coffer began getting facelifts and updates.

During the Renaissance, this type of furniture became a very popular wedding gift from the parents of the bride to be placed in the home of the newlyweds. These coffers became known as cassone’s. Cassone’s were decorated to commemorate the marriage with rich colors and designs. Still a far cry from being what we know it as today. Eventually around the late 17th century one single drawer was added to coffers on the bottom. This allowed for more storage space in one piece of furniture. This type of chest was known as a mule chest.

Eventually more drawers were added and the hinged top was became a regular stationary top. This concept looks more like what we know as a dresser. Highboys were usually waste high and lowboys were similar to side tables. Many concepts and changes have been made to these pieces giving a more variety to chose from, bureaus were also concocted from the basic coffer.It’s always interesting to come across different types of antique chest furniture when looking around for a dresser or chest.  Still with all the facelifts and updates some modern coffers, cassone’s, and highboys and lowboys can be purchased today as well as the chest of drawers.

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