The World's Longest Dresser

One of the hardest parts of my job is something I never talk about. It's transporting furniture. I have had to pass on some really great pieces because I knew I wouldn't be able to get them into the car by myself.

This dresser is a story not necessarily about its makeover - but what a pain-in-the-neck it was to get home and maneuver in my shop!

I had to bring this dresser home with me from an estate sale - it was a Thomasville French Provincial piece and screaming at me (am I the only one that hears furniture?) to make it over. This particular estate sale company said in their fine print that if you buy the piece you were responsible for moving it out of the house and loading it yourself.

Forgot to take picture of "before" - but this is a similar dresser

The only problem was that it was six feet long! I'm not exactly sure if it really is the world's longest dresser, but it certainly was the longest one I have ever seen! So, with my devil-may-care attitude, I purchased it and then immediately regretted my decision.

Fortunately, this estate sale was close to my home because transporting this giant was a three trip process and two day ordeal! It had a very large tri-fold mirror attached to it that I had to unscrew and carry it down the stairs, out of the house and into my car all by myself. This was an hour long ordeal followed by a nap that was equal if not longer.

Then I had to bribe my son after I picked him up from school to go back to the sale and help me bring nine drawers down the stairs, out the door and in my car. That was day one.

Day two brought new challenges. I had to put the seats back in my SUV so that I could fold down the second and third rows to lay the dresser on because it would not fit with the seats out. I guess when I returned the next day I must have had this pitiful look on my face because two servicemen who were at the sale took pity on me and put it in my car. I had to drive around all day with this stupid dresser because no one was at home to help me take it out!

For those that are interested in the materials I used: General Finishes Java Gel Stain, a custom mix of General Finishes Antique White and Snow White, and their Satin Top Coat.

Now back to the story. The dresser is complete and needs to go back into my house where I keep my pieces to cure while they're waiting to be sold. We take the drawers out, hubby and son put it on dollies, and while I'm on the phone with a client,  they proceed to roll it into the house and scratch two walls in the process.

The gouges in the walls are still not fixed - but I find a buyer! I warn buyer that it is extremely heavy, so I offer to bring it back out to the garage so it will be easier to put in the moving van she has to rent. Decide to not put it back on dollies to avoid more damage to my walls, so hand carry it out. Drawers out again - son screaming at me to put some muscle in it and stop being such a wimp. Three breaks later - drawers back in - it's ready for pick up.

Client arrives to pick up piece with her brother. And to my complete astonishment, they decline to remove drawers, and easily and effortlessly pick up entire piece, carry it to van and place it inside. And they did this all without whining, breathing heavily, or taking three breaks!

They drive away, and my mouth is still hanging wide open amazed at their Herculean strength. And vow to find out what they ate for breakfast, so I can get in on their secret!


Have a great week and here's hoping your furniture moves easily for you (and without scratching the walls)!

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