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House Of Hipsters

Home Decor Vintage Decor

Mid-Century Modern Dresser

February 2, 2015

Last Updated on December 8, 2022

Oh Emily. I’m so sorry. I do realize you are completely distraught with some people’s irreverent taste in ghastly sofas, but I know you’re really only masking your sadness because you peeked at my front room. Charlie Hendo has been gently wiping the tears streaming down your face and cooing oh so sweetly, “Don’t cry momma.” But that Craigslist hairpin table was just not right, was it? And not even a cute giggle from your little man could make it better.

I knew it right after I placed it there. It wasn’t perfect. You’ve probably been sitting in some fabulous Mid-Century Modern closet, painted in bright white, screaming at the ceiling (with gorgeous wooden beams, obvs), “It’s hideous! Yes, hairpins are having a moment, but that table is wrong! So! So! SO WRONG! Wrong height! Wrong length! Wrong color! JUST PLAIN OLD WRONG!” Nothing can console you.

Interior Design The Front Room

I thought maybe if I just put a large letter “H” and propped up some artwork, it would pass the Emily test, but alas, I failed you once again. I’ve terrorized your dreams and not even gifting a pair of high-waisted pants and a new Anthro floral top could turn that frown upside down. To be honest, I never liked it myself. Not even a vintage wooden box or the addition of the perfect Caravan Pacific lamp could gain your approval. I knew it. We all knew it. It’s ok, sometimes you just need to scream out your feelings. Let it go. I disappointed you greatly. That is until White Attic closed and put their entire inventory on clearance. 40% off everything. Yes, that’s right m’dear. Take solace, the hairpin table has been replaced with this fancy little number.

Mid Century Modern Dresser MCM

The most perfect Mid-Century Modern dresser with original brass pulls. Let me explain. See, it happened without warning while The Boy was in the middle of some frigid field or river duck hunting. The kiddos were playing nicely and momma was having a little morning Facebook alone time. Scroll, scroll, scroll…someone complaining their coffee’s too hot. Scroll, scroll, scroll…someone I haven’t seen since the 5th grade on a beach in Maui (bastard). Scroll, scroll, scroll…say happy birthday to this person you haven’t seen or heard from in 37 months. Scroll, scroll, scroll…sweet baby Jesus! White Attic is closing…sadzies…but 40% off all inventory. Shut the front door! Hold the phone! Wait, no gimme that phone! Where are my keys! No, I haven’t brushed my teeth or my hair, and yes, we are all still in jammies. Priorities people! My heart was racing frantically, for I had just seen 2 beautiful dressers only days before in their Facebook feed. I needed to pounce and had only a meager 38 minutes before they opened. I’d never make on the Kennedy…crap.

Also, I needed permission. See, The Boy and I have a $200 rule. If a purchase is over $200, we have to talk about it. Yes, I’ve found loopholes. Like, make 2 purchases for $199.99 each (and tax SO doesn’t count). Shhhh, don’t tell. That will remain our little secret. But the point is, I couldn’t do that with two dressers. This needed to be talked about. Besides, I was completely broke and this purchase would have to be procured on his credit card. It couldn’t wait until his return. Since he was hunting with his buddies and drunk off meat sticks,  ammunition and testosterone, I knew he would be in a good mood. The text basically went like this. Me: “Hi! Catch anything? So, 2 dressers are 40% off. Best deal ever. I should totally buy them!” Him: “Oh of course! You’re completely right! Maybe you should add side tables and a couple of chairs while you’re at it!” Me: “You’re right! I probably should! Hope you’re having a fabby time!” Well, that’s pretty close in my mind as to how it went down in my mind. Anyhoo, I got the approval.

Mid Century Modern Dresser MCM

I waited until 9:57 AM and made the call 3 minutes prior to open. I would force them to take my credit card over the phone if I had to. Thankfully the owner Terry answered the call. He and I had spoken before and he remembered me. The one dresser was sold the day prior, but the other was still in the showroom. Slap a sold sticker on that sucka, it’s mine!

And that dear, sweet Emily Henderson is how I saved you from the downward spiral of despair this month. And I know you’re literally losing your mind (in a good way) over my styling this time. At least I hope you are, but that I will save for yet another addition of “I Make Emily Henderson Cry”. I know, I know…it could totally use a man bust, but I did manage to squeak in a miniature brass succulent. Until next time sweet kitten, please keep those tears at bay and venture out of the closet. It’s a beautiful day in LA and it deserves to see your lovely smile.

 

TAGS:dresserI Make Emily Henderson CryLiving Roommid century modernvintage
29 Comments
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Kyla Herbes

Kyla Herbes is an interior designer and home decor content creator based in Chicago, IL. She shares daily doses of home decor, corners of her home, interior styling tips, and will inspire you to do it yourself. House Of Hipsters has been featured in Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, HGTV, The Huffington Post, Refinery29, Rue Magazine, and Style Me Pretty Living. Kyla has also made appearances on BravoTV and WGN TV and was named a Better Homes and Gardens Style Maker 3 years in a row.

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    Gilly
    February 2, 2015

    While I actually liked the before…..I think the after is perfection! The lamp makes more of statement now, it was lost before. It just looks stunning and you styled it perfectly. Emily would love you now 😉

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      kyla
      Gilly
      February 2, 2015

      It’s the one piece where I walked away thinking yep, nailed it =) Everything else is meh, pretty good, but this one I’m really happy with the end result. Hope that heat has broken for you in Australia! We just got 19″ of snow in 24 hours. Ha! Send some heat our way, will ya?

      Reply
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    [email protected]
    February 2, 2015

    Love! What a before and after! I’m a bit jealous though because I have an eerily similar hairpin leg issue and I just can’t decide on it. =) Hope you didn’t get rid of that letter though… totally digging that!

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      kyla
      [email protected]
      February 2, 2015

      I thought I loved it in the pictures, but it was one of those pieces that never found a permanent home. Now it lives in the basement. I seriously can’t figure out why I don’t love it. And it’s soooo heavy! Is yours heavy?

      Reply
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    Brenda Kula
    February 2, 2015

    Loved this! Like I said in my email, I find your wit highly amusing. I don’t get those hairpin legged tables/consoles. Looks like you could bump into them and send them flying. I’m too clumsy to have something that “delicate” in my midst. I like what you purchased. It’s sturdy and will stand the test of time. Great buy!
    Brenda

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      kyla
      Brenda Kula
      February 2, 2015

      Thanks Brenda and thanks for correcting my spelling! It’s so nice when people do that. Much appreciated and I gave you a little love on the bottom of this post for it =)

      Reply
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    Anna
    February 2, 2015

    Sude, I have a bust of Elvis that would look so SWEET there haha. Love the after!

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    Anna
    February 2, 2015

    P.S. I meant DUDE.

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      kyla
      Anna
      February 2, 2015

      DUDE! It would!!!!

      Reply
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    Sunshine
    February 2, 2015

    My parents had a dresser like that with the brass pulls. I really like the after – as well as your credit card rationalizations. I like two $199 purchases rather than having to tell about one over $200!

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      kyla
      Sunshine
      February 3, 2015

      Ha! Loopholes! Gotta love them. He uses the same loophole sometimes as well =) Thank you for stopping by Sunshine!

      Reply
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    Shannon Churchill
    February 2, 2015

    I think Emily will be crying tears of joy over that dresser! It’s so dreamy. Nice choice Kyla.:) And I love that your official dining room (I think) is a playroom. We are so close to doing the same (and then again, some days I’m just a step away from bagging up all my kids’ toys and donating them.:)

    Reply
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      kyla
      Shannon Churchill
      February 3, 2015

      YEAH! Stamp of approval! And yes, my formal dining room is a playroom. No one who has a 2 and 4 year old can have a formal dining…in my opinion that is. Ha! I can’t even stay up past 8:30PM and my dinner usually consists on chicken nugget an tater tot scraps from the kiddos. I’m sure I’ll be sad on donate the toys day, but right now, it can hurry up a bit.

      Reply
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    kyla
    February 3, 2015

    Meh, the $200 rule can be super annoying though too =)

    Reply
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    brie @ like-the-cheese.com
    February 4, 2015

    Oh my! I love your new table! It’s perfection! Great choice! Your home is so pretty!

    Reply
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    Two Thirty~Five Designs
    February 5, 2015

    I am all.about.those.hairpin.legs.tho…… but this fills out the space so much better. It’s quite fabulous 🙂

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      kyla
      Two Thirty~Five Designs
      February 8, 2015

      The hairpin legs are great. But yes, you said it perfectly. This one fills out the space better.

      Reply
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    Breanna
    February 10, 2015

    Totally nailed it! It is indeed perfection 🙂

    Reply
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    Ginger
    February 27, 2015

    This is my first visit to your blog, and Girl, you got on your fun! Love your style on paper and in your home. Wow the dresser is so much better and a picture is worth all the words. Linking with you at the Ladies Collective today. Have a great weekend.

    Reply
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      kyla
      Ginger
      February 27, 2015

      Thank you soooo much Ginger! I’m so glad you stopped by.

      Reply
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    Mary
    February 28, 2015

    LOVE the chest with drawers and how you accessorized it way more than the hairpin table in that spot. I found you on “Dwellinggawker” and am glad I did! I really like the “asymmetricalness” of the drawers! My husband needs a new dresser – we may have it custom built and copy yours.

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      kyla
      Mary
      March 1, 2015

      I so want to see it if you decide to have it made. You have to email me pictures! I too love the asymmetricalness of the drawers. Let me know if you need any dimensions, I’d be happy to send them your way. Thanks so much for stopping by Mary!

      Reply
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    Susan G.
    March 2, 2015

    Hi, I’m new! Love the new dresser, but like others, the hairpin legged table is nice, too. Did you sell it or put it somewhere else? I’m considering something like that I saw on Etsy (Chicago maker) for behind a sofa to use as a laptop table.

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      kyla
      Susan G.
      March 3, 2015

      Hi Susan! Welcome! I’m so glad you stopped by. I actually have not put the table anywhere else and I’m contemplating putting it on Craigslist. I too really like it, but it just can’t seem to find the perfect home like the dresser did. If you are interested in it, let me know, I live in the Chicago suburbs =)

      Reply
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    Christie
    March 2, 2015

    Thanks so much for sharing at Totally Terrific Tuesday! I hope you stop by to link up with us again this week. Remember the party starts tonight at 10pm!
    Christie ~ Sparkles of Sunshine

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      kyla
      Christie
      March 3, 2015

      Thanks for stopping by Christie!

      Reply
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    doreenhousehoneys
    September 16, 2015

    That dresser is beautiful! I saw one like it at homegoods the other day. I know. Not truly vintage, but it had sooooo many drawers and was gorgeous. Wouldn’t work in my home, but simply beautiful.

    (Since you don’t seem to mind spelling corrections…it should be ‘and I know YOU’RE literally losing your mind).

    Reply
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      kyla
      doreenhousehoneys
      September 18, 2015

      The nice thing about the style that is trending right now is that you can find it both vintage and new. I love it! And yes, soooo many drawers! And thank you for the spelling correction. I swear I read these posts over and over and over again to try to catch all of them. Going to go fix that now!

      Reply
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    Holly
    October 2, 2015

    So, this is random, but, could you tell me about the carpet in this room? I’m looking for the perfect carpet for our new midcentury home and am SO torn. I love the look of shag, but everyone keeps telling me that it won’t look good for long. This carpet looks like a good cross between shag and plush. I would love you forever and ever if you could give me any details! Thanks!

    Reply

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