Remember this dresser that I painted last September?
I mentioned at the time that I don’t usually keep the mirrors that come with dressers. I have found that it takes much longer to sell a dresser with a mirror than one without. But this mirror was so gorgeous and it added so much to the dresser that I decided to keep it.
But I didn’t literally want to keep it. I wanted to sell it. I posted it on Craigslist and it sat, and it sat, and it sat. I got a couple of nibbles, but no one even so much as came out to look at it.
Honestly it’s not often that my pieces don’t sell within a month or so, sometimes even faster. But it does happen. When it does I usually go back to the drawing board and try to figure out why and what I can re-work to make the piece more marketable.
First I figured it couldn’t possibly be the color. Right? It’s white. Anyone can work a white piece into their existing color scheme.
I supposed it could be the transfer, or the hardware.
But I don’t think its any of those things. I think it’s the mirror.
So it’s time to cut my losses and remove the mirror. However, removing the mirror leaves a gap at the back of the top of the dresser because the mirror sat down into that gap. So it wasn’t quite as simple as just removing the mirror and calling it good.
Luckily, I have a handy neighbor who can help me out with such things!
Ken made short work of cutting a board to fit down in that gap.
I painted it up to match the dresser (in Fusion’s Limestone) and attached it.
And presto, the dresser has a whole new look.
Now this dresser could hold a widescreen TV, or it could be used under a window. It could work in a living room, dining room or foyer.
It would also work well in a home office to hold the printer and office supplies.
It’s just so much more versatile without a mirror, don’t you agree? I also have to say that I like it much better this way myself.
And in case you are wondering what the fate of the mirror will be, Ken and I are going to turn it into another chalkboard shelf so it won’t just be going to waste.
So now we’ll just have to wait and see whether or not my theory about mirrors is right. I’ll be sure to keep you posted. In the meantime you can see some of my other do-overs here, here and here.
q is for quandie 
I liked the dresser with the mirror, but you are right, it is much more versatile without it. I love the way you staged the dresser (with the paint brushes and old typewriter).
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Thanks BFF! Both the brushes and the typewriter are usually on display in my Q Branch, they are both favorites of mine 🙂
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I too like it better. It is way more versatile, and I always love the chalk board shelves that you make out of mirrors. It will be interesting to see if it sells quicker. Beautiful piece. Leaving tomorrow on a cruise. Catch you when I get back. 😊 I will miss sharing my early mornings with you.
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Wait, what?!! A cruise! You lucky duck. I suspect you will not miss me one tiny bit 😉 Where are you going?
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We are in the Bahamas and Caribbean for 22 Days. 😎
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Dang! Lucky you Monica! Sounds heavenly. I hope you enjoy every minute of it 🙂
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Ken did a great job fixing this adorable dresser so it can fly without being held down by a mirror. And a new chalkboard in the mirror will fly solo too. So here’s to problem solving and selling – you’ll probably end up with a larger profit after separating those two kinda difficult children. Yay! Yhanks for a happy inbox on Friday. North Texas gets to climb out of its freezer and get into the 60s this weekend and next week. I have been painting small things in my dining room, but maybe I can venture into my scary garage next week.
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The 60s sounds heavenly. We get to climb above freezing, so we’re pretty happy about that here too 🙂
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So, you collect old paint brushes, too? 🙂
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No, I’m not a collector … remember? I only have non-collections 😉 But, theoretically, if one did collect old paint brushes it would be a very budget friendly collection. You can usually find them for about 25 cents at garage sales!
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Much better. Should move quickly now. And Laura is probably right you will probably make more selling them separately.
So as the snow melts off my house today we are looking at low 60’s this weekend as well.
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Yes, true. I can sell them separately for more than I could together. Fingers crossed, as long as I find a buyer for the dresser.
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When I saw this piece, I wanted it immediately. But then I realized I have to keep telling myself, and enforcing it, that I have no room at the Inn. It’s sooo hard when I see furniture that practically is screaming my name though….
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It would be the perfect companion for your other dresser! But you’d probably have to kick Jim out to make room for it 😉
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I like it better without the mirror. I also like the little back stop that Ken put on.
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What would I do without Ken?!
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I see your point, but the total look of the dresser with mirror was so pretty.
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I know! I totally agree. I was a bit bummed that no one purchased it that way.
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I love it with and without the mirror. Ken did a great job fixing up the gap. What a treasure he is.
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Seriously. Ken really is a treasure. I’m very lucky to have him next door!
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My garage and basement are full of stray mirrors because dressers with mirrors don’t sell. I think I have only sold one set with mirror intact.
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Perhaps it’s a Minnesota thing and we just don’t like seeing our own reflections all of the time 😉
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