apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

But it adds almost no storage space. I don't see the appeal. Maybe if you paint or contact paper the inside of the drawers or turn them into shadowboxes.

I'd rather see a way to make a framework so the drawers could assume their original function.

"Junk" drawers is right. That's all this is...junk. Palmetto is right-there's no storage space gained with this idea. Just dirty, old mismatched drawers.

I like this idea but you guys are totally right. Nothing would fit in there.

What about deep drawers as shelves?

earthquake issues? safety?? uhm I think it may also look like you got bummy in the middle of a move and forgot to put soem random shelves away.

i like the table.chairs though.

no, definitely no real storage place, and it looks rather messy, not visual-kick-y.

I think it could be cute in a kids / teen room if they were painted out into different colors - inside and out. It could be a fun way to showcase their art, dolls, small stuffed animals, pictures, perfume bottles (maybe line one with a mirror) and other knick-knacks. storage, not so much, but shadow-box / display / organizing, why not?
Also, by hanging them with the front panel on the bottom, you may end up with a wider "ledge" for resting stuff on.

The shelves would be attached to the wall like any tall shelf is.

I think one or two would look cool, I'm not so crazy about all of them. It's a cool idea though.

As has been mentioned, no storage. Visually busy. Ugly. Dirty. Tripping hazard. Takes up valuable space. Who thinks up this kind of stuff?

This isn't doing it for me. Also, I've never seen just a drawer for sale in a thrift shop or flea market, so you'd have to buy several pieces of furniture to get a few drawers, which is kind of a waste. I guess if you're styling a piece for a magazine, you can throw caution (and good sense) to the winds.

The trick to these is using much smaller, much deeper drawers than the ones used here. I've seen some done like this, but all painted and arranged into a definite rectangle, and I have to say that it looks much better that way. Drawers do make good cd storage though... many are just deeper than a cd, so if you add a few shelves into the drawer, it would work very well.

I think the shallow drawers would need to be secured to a wall, or another large panel to keep it safe.

The versions I've seen using deep drawers, such as from a dresser or chest, are more sturdy, and you can actually use as a typical shelf.

Argh! I'm tired of this stuff! Enough of the Frankenstein shelving!

I think has amazing visual appeal for something like a store window display- but it's just too cluttery for household applications.

Wow, I can't believe all the nay-saying going on. Personally I am a big fan of the old-drawers-turned-shelving-units, however, I agree with everyone else on the depth issue. Junk (aka shallow) drawers don't have any actual storage capacity, though I don't think the purpose of this set-up was storage as much as it was display. Artfully placed (and secured) rescued drawers can be a very visually appealing display unit. Sure there has to be some cohesiveness involved either in the treatment of the drawers themselves or maybe in the treasures they house, otherwise it would look a mess. Use your imagination folks, it's handy sometimes.

My problem with this kind of suggestion: Where on earth does the average Jane or Joe find several, varrying drawers to be rescued? Isn't it wasteful to take out the drawers from cabinets rendering them purposeless?

Pretty much agreeing with Jesse Lu. I love the look of these drawers.

My home library is displayed in old drawers into the wall. I have about ten all screwed into studs in a modular way, and have literally hundreds of books up there - I think it looks great and it cost pennies.

Whenever I saw an old dresser or desk on the street I would take the drawers.

I don't mind it but it's been done before. Anyone know this piece by Louise Nevelson? No, not exactly the same, but it started out the same...
http://www.sfmoma.org/artwork/4203