Gwyneth and I are overjoyed to announce that during yesterday’s early evening walk, our Dumpster Diving dry spell came to an end!
You know it’s been a while since Gwyneth and I have shared a home project (or even an update) with you, but did you know it’s been a full month? Our home inspiration started to dwindle after we updated our living room in early July, and we tried to fight it with small projects, just as blocked writers try free writing.
These projects were tragic. We’re sure day camps around the country were filled with 3 year old’s making more impressive creations gluing macaroni to paper plates. So we stepped away from the glue gun, spent a lot of time away from the apartment and shared the non-home things that inspired us instead. (We’d like to tell you it was refreshing, but we were crawling out of our skin the entire time.)
Attending our first BlogHer conference this past weekend was the light at the end of the tunnel – and for reasons we wouldn’t have guessed. (We’ll share those reasons, plus some conference tips from newbies to newbies soon.) But today we’ll share another happening that marks the end of the dry spell – Gwyneth’s latest Dumpster Dive find. We’re excited to hear your feedback and ideas for turning this Dumpster Dive Dresser from Beast to Beauty:
Now, having been out of practice for a month, our technique had gotten a little sloppy. We almost broke both of the two rules of Dumpster Diving:
Rule #1: Do not stop to consider logistics or reality. This is the one scenario where your Mom was wrong – act before you think.
Rule #2: You must practice complete self-un-awareness. You’ll have many chances to convince your neighbors you’re not nuts, but you’ll only have one chance to rescue that find. Prioritize accordingly.
We’re more than maxed out on furniture, so after spotting the dresser, I suggested we continue our walk. Gwyneth disagreed with my judgement and made herself a statue in front of the dumpster. While I had forgotten, she remembered Rule #1 and our disappointment the last time we let reality get in the way. We couldn’t haul the dresser on our own, threatening my brief recommitment to the mission. Gwyneth stood firm. We didn’t have all day to hang out by the dumpster, so I vowed to ask the next able-bodied person that came by to help me move the dresser inside. This is where Rule #2 became a challenge.
The next very able-bodied person was a (very cute) neighbor we’d never seen before. He was finishing up a bike ride, slowing down and riding “no-hands” style, so he could take off his shirt. No, we’re not kidding. A trash-digging habit didn’t make the first impression I’d have chosen, but Gwyneth’s “what are you waiting for?” look won. We left some dignity on the street, but the dresser was on a luggage cart on the way to the 17th floor.
Now that it’s logistics time, we’re hoping you can help us make the humiliation worthwhile! The big questions: where are we going to put this guy and what are we going to do with him? Our preliminary thoughts are below, and we’d love your feedback and/or new ideas!
Usage Option 1: Remove the legs and bottom drawer(s) to stack on top of our desk to create a hutch.
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| via House Beautiful |
To state the obvious, the goal of the makeover part would be to make the pieces look like they go together. Also, please keep in mind we’d likely need to move the desk or rotate it towards the back wall, so it’s not lined up to another large piece (the piesafe).
Usage Option 2: Remove the legs from the bookshelf in the bedroom and stack it on top of the Dumpster Dive Bookcase for much-needed storage.
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| via Miss Indie Designs |
How much would we love to hide some of the clutter in the current bookcase in those drawers!?! (Side note: if you notice anything different, we did paint the inside of the bookcase pink during our home-improvement hiatus.)
Usage Option 3: In the (likely) event that stacking the bookcase will be too heavy for our small and already full space, we could make great use of it in our closet!
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| Meg Braff’ via Costal Living |
You know we’d love if our closet space could work a little harder for us!
Or we could cover the current panels with grasscloth wallpaper:
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| via Centsational Girl |
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| via Centsational Girl |
Or spray painted radiator cover:
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| via Brooklyn Limestone |
Thanks for sticking with us – this was a long one! Our home inspiration is back, and we’re making up for lost time. Please help us keep the momentum going, and tell us what you think about these usage/makeover options or any others you might have!
I was having withdrawals, so glad to see you two are back to your old tricks! So many choices, just surprise us, I know it will be fabulous!
HA! You are too sweet! It feels great to be back sorting through the neighbors’ trash! Thank you!
Hope you are having a wonderful vacation! You have definitely earned it with all the work you’ve been up to in your son’s room! Your DIY headboard looks absolutely amazing! Gwyneth and I had to re-read the paragraph about it twice to make sure it was really a DIY!
xoxo,
mk & Gwynnie
Decisions decisions! I love the closet idea – probably out of selfishness because I seriously need to organize my closet! I like the textured wallpaper on the cabinet too!
I’m jeaous that you went to Blogher! I HAVE to go next year!
Hi Niki! Those are the ideas we’re loving right now too – although we change our minds on what to do with the dresser every day! And definitely come to BlogHer next year – it is a real experience, and we’d love to meet you there – meeting the other bloggers is the best part!
xoxo,
mk & Little G
Oooo…creative juices flowing! I think it would look great with some fine wire mesh in place of the front drawer panels, then some twee handles. Very British vintage-esque.
Have fun transforming it. Can’t wait to see the outcome.
http://lifethrulucylasticaslense.blogspot.co.uk/
Going to check out twee handles online now. Embarrassed to admit we aren’t familiar, but that will soon change! Thanks for the tip!
xoxo,
mk & G
Let’s trek to the nearest gay bar and ask the first 6’4″ woman we see what his opinion is.
Marc, Ruby & I are in favor of the radiator cover and taupe papering, for sure.
xo,
James
Love it – you are hilarious!
As for the DIY – Gwyneth agrees completely with anything Rubs says, so that might be just what we do!
xoxo,
mk & Gwynnie
“where are we going to put this guy and what are we going to do with him” ………..I was pouring a glass of wine to settle in and enjoy the suggestions when I realized you meant the furniture.
HA! Hilarious! Funniest comment on this blog to date and possibly ever!!
xoxo,
mk & Gwyneth
I can’t stop thinking about the shirtless neighbor!
Give me a moment …
ok, I’m back!
Anyway, see, you did need that dresser! Gwyneth always knows best! Either way you slice it, it’s needed. I’d go with the closet idea.
And love idea of the radiator covers – and double duty that they’re magnetic which would be great for holding jewelry too!
Now, invite cute neighbor back so he can help you – go on, what are you waiting for?
Kelly
Update – the cute neighbor is lovely, but taken. We ran into him and his boyfriend later in the week.
At least we know there are two sweet and strong men we can call on to haul our furniture from the dumpster!!
xoxo,
mk & Gwynnie
I think it would be really cool to marry the piece with another one, but practicality says put it in the closet. My guess is that you chose the radiator cover based on Instagram evidence. Good call. And I agree with Kelly…invite the neighbor over.
I’m with you! I totally want to marry the pieces, but feel like the closet would be SO handy! I’m still TBD. And the radiator cover went for another project, but I’ve got enough left over. So we’ll see! All up in the air right now!
Hope you are having an awesome week! Almost the weekend!
xoxo,
mk & G
Whatever you do with it, it’s going to be fabulous. Can’t wait to see the final reveal!
Thanks, Peggy! We’re pretty excited about it! Hope you’re having a great one!
xoxo,
mk
I have this dresser from IKEA or something like it
I trust that you’ll give me some inspiration on what to do with mine!
And vice versa!!
xoxo!
Nyc trash is seriously the best! I recently found a west elm parsons desk, it is now mine and I couldn’t be happier!
Xo
Alison
A West Elm Parsons Desk?!? That is a serious find! Congrats!!
xoxo,
mk & Gwynnie