
Q: I just moved into a new apartment and am really lacking in closet space. My room is rather large but I don't want to clutter it up with too much furniture. I am looking for a low long chest with an industrial feel. I LOVE the Restoration Hardware chests but need more storage. Any suggestions for this age old NYC apartment dilemna?
Sent by Mindie
Editor: Please share your ideas and suggestions with Mindie in the comments below - thanks!
• Got a question? Email yours with pic attachments here (those with pics get answered first)

Howard Butcher Bloc...
How about a few of these:
http://www.onlinevirtualwarehouse.com/ItemDetail.aspx?i=11&wk=x8A7Dmk9&Item=CCAR-80L-STS
Why not just find a dresser big enough for your needs on craigslist and refinish it yourself with a metallic paint? Alternatively, if you are not too considered with quality you could put together 2 or 3 ikea low dressers ( i forget what they are called but they're really cheap) and refinish them with metallic paint. I would go the craigslist route personally.
Not great for clothes storage I imagine, but some helmers were the first thing that came to mind http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/bathroom/the-many-uses-of-ikeas-mighty-helmer-128851
What about a row of old filing cabinets (massive roomy drawers!) all next to each other. You could refinish them to get the restoration hardware look.
You didn't indicate what your price range is, but I'm guess that it's less than Restoration Hardware. Sometimes you can find items like these at antique malls and office supply places (the kind that sell used office furniture), but it is very very rare.
How about these:
http://www.interieurs.com/product_detail/197
http://www.rehabvintage.net/details4.php?prodId=71
http://www.twentygauge.com/?f=d&s=2&id=235&c=
http://www.pbteen.com/products/locker-double-wide-dresser/?pkey=cdressers-armoires
http://www.stacksandstacks.com/powell-contemporary-bedroom-dresser-monster-collection-500-008?id=815&sku=103770&AID=10273848&PID=2007032&SID=13170100
Almost all of the options are pretty expensive. And if they aren't expensive, they lack the elegance of the Restoration furniture.
You may want to consider a garage storage system, like this:
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Stack-On-Cadet-Garage-Storage-System-Set/5173761/product.html?cid=123620&fp=F&mr:trackingCode=787BD33E-52C1-DF11-98FF-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA
Or just use the stainless steel paint on something inexpensive from Ikea.
I also think finding something on craigslist and painting it is the best route. I'm in love with the (exteremy out of my budget) mirrored furniture and never realized how simliar it looks to the metallic dresser in that picture... I may have a new project as well!
Finding low metal dressers are an age old NY dilemma?
i painted our bathroom vanity & mirror with metallic paint & it came out fabulous! i had gone to our local benjamin moore store to ask about paint & the owner suggested i get metallic craft paint at Michael's Arts & Crafts store. they come in small containers (10 or so ounces) for $5. but you can get 40% off coupons online. i did a light poly over it & its been fabulous & hasn't dinged or nicked in over a year!
Agreed on the thrift and paint approach. Thybony carries a brand called Modern Masters (i think? saw in store, looking on website) with a steel finish in their catalogue. The really cool thing is they also sell a reactive agent that compliments the product - you can rust the finish to your liking. Not cheap at around $60/gallon, but still cheaper than buying the real deal furniture and looks amazing.
Another thing to do with a craigslist dresser is to use metal leaf - silver, probably - and cover the whole thing. Here's an example and tutorial from Little Green Notebook.
I think the key may be to focus on the industrial style, instead of just metallic finished dressers. Your options willl be widened quite a bit.
How about a clean lined vintage dresser, with aluminum plating cut to mount on the drawer fronts and top? This stuff can be had for pretty cheap at hardware stores. They will cut it for you too.
Here's a good-looking dresser from Overstock for $443.
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Waynesborough-6-drawer-Dresser/2591609/product.html?rcmndsrc=2
You could keep the finish as is or paint with metallic.
Good luck!
Sheri
I did the silver leaf thing on some old nightstands and would definitely recommend it over metallic paint. I tried higher end metallic paint first and I didn't like the look of it at all so I sanded it off and redid it in silver leaf. The silver leaf emulates the pics you provided the best - sort of weathered metallic look. I think you could totally achieve something similar to that second one by silver-leaving this dresser from Ikea:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00067830
As a recommendation, if you've never done it before, I would stick with a piece like the Ikea dresser that is comprised of a lot more flat areas (no intricate wood detail, carvings, etc). It's not difficult, but it's messy and time consuming and I found dealing with turned legs was more annoying than I expected and wouldn't want to do any more detail than that.
Oh I just read the link for Little Green Notebook that JahRose posted, and wanted to add that, like the blog states, use aluminum leaf (or imitation silver....real silver leaf is expensive). But unlike the blog, I highly recommend polying it when done. I poly-ed my nightstands with 1 thin coat, but after about a year of use, I'm going to have to redo the tops. Both the thin coat and silver leaf have started to wear down and it looks like crap. It doesn't look nicely worn and antiqued. So if you're looking for a more solid finish, definitely poly and do more than one coat on the top surface.
There is a store in Brooklyn Heights that have a couple of metal/industrial dressers. One of them is about $795. Holler & Squall. Here is a photo but the pics make the dressers look really rusty but in person it is more of a metallic grey. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cP3LMXxQzsU/TNVm7w0qjDI/AAAAAAAAAXw/NDBJPUjUk2s/s1600/IMG_3067.jpg
A really budget conscious idea. Get an inexpensive dresser with flat drawer fronts. Ikea will do just fine. Paint it gray or silver and get brushed metallic laminate panels cut to size to cover the drawer fronts.
Thanks for all of the suggestions!
OMG, you all are geniuses. I've been trying to figure out how to paint my living room tables so that they look better all together — totally stealing this idea!!!
If you're like me and often don't enjoy the look of metallic paint, you could have some galvanized (or other) steel cut to the size of the drawers of a Craigslist low dresser and attach them with construction adhesive, brads, or screws. Paint the rest of the dresser black, maybe.