apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

put a vase on it.

Maybe a retroish pot with a cute plant in it? I think a bright green or turquiose would look great!

what about painting the wall behind it? maybe the rich red from the rug--or another color from the rug.

It's really great. You could get a small runner to put on the top to protect it. I wouldn't worry so much about exactly what you put there. I'd plan on rotating themes, whether seasonal, or by subject, I think will keep the look very fresh. Sometimes have the runner, or have several runners you put on at different times, and sometimes don't use it at all. In the winter, put up growing bulbs to get through the winter, or another time, do all family pictures, etc. Vases, pictures, objects, pottery, driftwood, a lamp, mixed stuff, sea shells, on and on. So many options!!

I would look for a larger mirror or possible even a large piece of artwork and hang it so the bottom of the frame is at the same level as the dresser.

A mirror would add depth to the space but the right piece of artwork could really liven up all that white.

Then add a bowl or vase on one end balanced with a couple of nice b/w family photos on the other end.

there are many possibilities for this set up, but as maxwell mentioned i would lower the mirror.
an sculptural lamp like a noguchi table light would look great here, i have the castiglioni gatto lamp on my thrift shop 1950s dresser and these lamps look great both on and off.
other elements like large sea shells or crystals can be a great organic complement to the furnishings.
a visit to the 2nd floor at abc carpet and home is great inspiration for ideas to apply here.
take your time, visit lots of stores and scan magazines at the newsstands for inspiration.

sorry for the duplicate post above. I'd also put that changable philosophy behind the dresser as well as what goes on top. Good ideas.

Personally, I would have a piece of glass cut for the top (to protect the finish and wood) from all the things you'll accidentally drop on it (keys, change, belts, lighters, etc.). All these things will put gouges in the finish/wood.

The piece of glass shouldn't cost more than $50 bucks.

Tony G.

I like the changeable idea mentioned above. I also agree with lowering the mirror.

I personally wouldn't put much on it because it seems to me you love the lines of the piece and don't want too much distraction from that. If your mirror is a bit off center, maybe try a tall simple vase on the left side to balance everything out. Something with nice color. I would avoid very formal symmetry unless you had great accessory pieces to work with.

I could also see something low and sculptural, maybe even a grouping of three similar items. I would personally stay away from putting anything clunky on it. Big is cool, but I'd look for items without too terribly much visual weight. A simple lamp for height and then something low and lateral might work.

Just random thoughts--I have nothing to qualify them but my own opinion. It's a lovely piece. Have fun making it special.

i find this sort of question really mysterious -- because i'm the opposite kind of person, with such specific enthusiasms and preferences and experiences, and all kinds of things from my past life and fantasy life demanding to be displayed or purchased, that i can't at all imagine asking this question of other people.

i could understand "a which of my collection should i display here" but your question is just from another world for me -- do you not have obsessions, man? is this one of those warm v cool personality things?

huge glass sculptures of seashells/sea creatures is my answer, but that's only because i was looking at some online and was taken aback by their beauty.

Rasil, Where did you find huge class sculptures of sea creatures? Would love to know!

Hmm. I definitely lower the mirror. I'd add a large sculptural lamp -- one of those 50s/60s things you can still pick up in flea markets for reasonable amounts of money. As for stuff on it, take a look at the end of history -- it's a shop in the west village that has all sorts of vases, lamps, and whatsits that's in keeping with the style of the piece. The photographs don't give me much to go on, but they don't convey a books, flowers, runners type of person. I could be wrong.

Not sure why I'm feeling so defensive on Kelly's behalf, but Rasil, no need to suggest Kelly is a cold person with no enthusiasms or life experiences, just because she doesnt know what to display on her furniture! One can have passions in life which do not result in collections of displayable items.

My first thought was also to paint the wall behind the dresser. I like the red idea. Maybe even an off-white or a rich creme.

Thank you so much for all the wonderful and interesting ideas. Thats why I love this site. The mirror is high because I used to have a bookcase there. I will definitely lower it. Jenny, thanks for the defense. Think what you will, but I don't collect stuff. accept for my own photographs. I love the artwork idea. I got the dresser for such a great price and instantly knew I had to post it on this site for help. Again, thanks for all your ideas. Keep 'em coming.

Personally I would put a stack of books on it (a few large, coffee-table type books), a lamp or vase, and a few little pictures of friends and family in nice, delicate frames. I'm curious about what you'll actually do with it!

I'm against putting things on stuff to "protect" them in general. If something is so delicate that, to serve its purpose, it needs a glass top for protection, then it should not be used for that purpose period. I think that piece would look like shite with a glass top on it. It would kill the warm, yet cool vibe it's got going on. If you're going to put keys etc on top of it, then take the suggestions above for a funky bowl that you could put keys etc in. As for what colour the bowl or accessories should be, I'm clueless - listen to the ladies' suggestions on that question.

Nice piece, I like the asymmetry of the drawers, a bit unusual. The clean modern lines suggest that you may want to keep it simple here. Why not just lower the mirror as suggested, then live with it for a while? Look at magazines, browse through a few local second-hand shops, check out what other people have done with similar furniture in an enty setting. In the meantime,play around with lamps or vases etc you already have to see what might please you. At some point, just like you knew you had to have this piece, something will speak to you. And so you will develop your own personal style.

agree, NO GLASS..find a trio of alternating heights of glass or ceramic vases..west elm..pottery barn..etc placed offside..and maybe a large bowl for keys, mail..

It's a beautiful piece...in a wonderful clean setting. It creates a great canvas for one or more beautiful objects. Since I live in cramped chaos, with almost no open flat surfaces, I'm envious of your opportunity to scour antique/second-hand stores, flea markets and craft fairs until you find things that speak to you. As others have mentioned, don't rush it. You'll eventually find some beautiful stone or wood sculpture, or colorful glass vase or bowl or plate, or period lamp - and you'll know.

Beautiful find. The Peak of Chic did a great post on striking tablescapes that you might find helpful.

http://thepeakofchic.blogspot.com/2007/03/striking-tablescapes.html

Kelly, since you mentioned you are a photographer -- another option would be to blow up one of your own photos to a nice large scale, frame it simply and hang it behind the dresser (again, large enough is key and the bottom of the frame shouldn't be more than a couple inches above the top of the dresser). Particularly if you had a photo of something curved and sensual (a flower, a shell, a leaf?) it would make a really nice counterpoint to the simple and austere lines of the dresser. You could also then select just one or a few pieces for the top of the dresser that might echo the curves of the art -- as many have suggested, the right lamp or vase would work wonders.

Beautiful piece, have fun working with it! :)

Lower the mirror or get a longer one. Then get a low-sitting vase or dish for a floral arrangement (either real or silk). Use beautiful burgundy flowers to pick up on the color of the carpet. Put a few smaller flowers in as an accent color that would pick up another color from the carpet or color theme from the room you are entering. Or, if you make a floral arrangement a bit taller, offset it with a candle beside. I found wonderful fake candles at Home Depot. They run on batteries, but you can't tell unless you pick them up. they are waxy, and the light shines through the wax. One of those inside a transluscent colored glass holder would reflect beautifully in the mirror.

I agree that a large image on the wall would work,, the image should be simple to match the mclean lines of the dresser. You could get some ideas at http://durella.imagekind.com

thank you vinny things are meant to be used and looked at the glass would prevent that.