PhillyLass is looking for some recommendations: I'm on the hunt for a reasonably priced changing-table-to-dresser combo for a nursery. The following items are in the running. Does anyone have experience with these manufacturers? Advice on quality and durability would be greatly appreciated.... (Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
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PhillyLass,
If you are really in Philly, then scoot across the Ben Franklin bridge to Howard Hill unpainted furniture - http://www.howardhillfurniture.com/
We have a 3-drawer pine dresser that we bought 6 years ago for our oldest, and are now using with our almost 2-year old. The top is the perfect size for the standard curved foam changing pads. It was bright yellow for our first, and is now a light green for the second. It's been very sturdy.
If you want something reasonably priced I would highly recommend the Hemnes dresser from IKEA (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20067829). It's great looking, and holds up well (from my experience). However, it isn't so expensive that you'll be concerned about it getting damaged when your child is older and running into it with his/her trucks or toys.
Not as inexpensive as the other two suggestions, but pottery barn has this one on sale for 399.99
looks nice:
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p11201/index.cfm?pkey=cdressers
I second Howard Hill Furniture. We just bought a dresser and nightstand for our sons new "big boy" room. Below is the one that we bought. Now if I can just get my husband to paint the dresser we would be all set. It was nice that we could just pick it up and avoid paying a delivery charge. You can also pay them to finish it for you if you want. I also like that most of the furniture is solid wood and American made and seemed more durable than anything I saw at the chain stores.
http://www.howardhillfurniture.com/products.php?pid=7147&detail=true
I second the recommendation for the Hemnes. It sturdier than a lot of IKEA furniture, well priced and comes in a nice range of colors and sizes. We have the 3 drawer in yellow with a simple changing pad on top and it's perfect. There is room for the wipes warmer next to the changing pad too.
Just writing to say that while I do not have that exact Land of Nod dresser, we do have a Land of Nod dresser that we've used as our changing table (I think it's called "Simple), and it has worked quite well and held up so far (20 months and counting -- many many diaper changes, etc.) : )
Good luck.
I third the Hemnes from IKEA!! We have the 8 drawer one and have a change mat on top at the right hand end. We left enough room to stand at the right hand end so that we're changing the baby in front of us, and not from the side (does that make sense?). It's the perfect height (for me) and we use one of the small drawers in the top row for wipes and a few nappies, very handy.
I'm going to have to fourth the Hemnes. It's a great product and totally unlike the rest of IKEA. It can be traditional or modern. I love how easily the drawers slide in and out. A friend has the blue and the color is perfect, but I'd get the white.
I have a Hemnes in the nursery, too, which is so far making me happy. It's not used as a changing table, though, because we bought the tall 6-drawer version.
9 years ago, we bought a dresser and nightstand from an unfinished furniture store for our own bedroom, and those have held up really, really, really well. I think that would be a worth-while option to check out.
Here's another vote for the Hemnes! We have the 3 drawer in yellow, and the changing pad fits on top perfectly with about 8-10" of space left over to the side of it. I was very surprised at the quality for a piece of Ikea furniture as well.
Personally, I've had some poor experiences with Restoration Hardware furniture as far as customer service and quality of product, and after doing some research have found that I'm not the only one. IMHO, I'd save yourself the potential headache, and skip RH furniture.
I'm going to give an anti rec for the Hemnes. We currently have the 8 drawer which we use as a changing table. While I love the drawer sizes (those little ones on top are perfect for baby accessories) I am continually frustrated by how the the drawer bottoms on the bigger drawers keep popping out.
Gothic tends to be a bit pricier (for some pieces) but my sister has the flat shaker style cabinet and it is in great condition....she's had it for about 7 years! real sturdy and simple.
I am an Interior designer of children's rooms and have designed all the dresser/changers for my clients. I can make it just the right height for the mom to change the baby comfortably and add custom features for holding all the baby needs. I also, if so desired, handpaint the drawer fronts with images that either relate to the fabrics used in the room or something totally unique.
More lovin' for Hemnes (yay Philly-Mommas, too!). We have the 8 Drawer and the nightstands in our room. Daughter has the 3 Drawer.
When we're ready for our "grown up" furniture (when babies get out of our bed!), we're pushing the 8 drawer and a nightstand to little girl and the 3 drawer shifts with a nightstand to little(er) boy. We also added white billy bookcases to each room to keep their favorite toys and books. Strong, sturdy, minimal. Love it!