We’ve needed a pair of new dressers for our bedroom for a while. I found a set (not a pair in the same height) on eBay that I loved. It had the prettiest tiger maple veneer. But we really needed a matching pair and something much bigger and taller with at least five drawers.
I lucked out when we went down to Jersey last week and I stumbled across this pair of MCM dresser with a cool wood grain. Not exactly the dressers I loved from eBay, but the dimensions were perfect and the price was great (only $200 for the pair).
At first I was on the fence about the hardware. The zigzag is kind of cool, but now I’m over them I think. The brass plate is getting corroded, so I’m thinking I just want to do simple brass ring pulls like the dresser had that I first fell in love with.
What’s your vote? Clean and touch up the brass zigzag pulls, or replace with simple brass ring pulls?
PS I usually have a huge stash of these brass ring pulls since they look great on everything. They are about 2″ in diameter. I might just try them again, though I wish I had something closer to the 2.5-3″ diameter range. Gracious Home has an impressive hardware selection that I might check out this week. Do you have an sources for large brass ring pulls? Liz’s Antique Hardware is great if you have about $30 a pull to spend.
I'd definitely try a bit of Brasso on them first – it'd be a crying shame to lose such a unique touch!
If they don't clean up well then you can change them in good conscience :)
Love the pieces … and I love the zigzag hardware.
I would even consider having them re-plated (because I have no idea what that entails).
Can't wait to see them in your room!
I loved the zig zag handles as soon as I saw them – never seen anything like these before. My vote: definitely try to clean them up!
I really, really like the zig zag handles too, they have such an unique style and echo the lines at the top corners of the dressers.
Needless to say, my vote is also to keep the handles!
PS: Jenny, your blog is great. You just nail it (excuse the pun) with combining some really aspirational images with inspiring and achievable projects.
You know, I totally prefer the existing hardware.Even better re-done. Its not mid century but good with these lovely drawers.
Good luck with your decision making.
Love your work.
Wendy
Zigzag is soo visually interesting- definitely a keeper!!
I agree, the zig zag handles perfectly compliment the overall shape of each unit – too special to loose.
I love reading your blog every day – thanks for the never ending inspiration!
Sarah, Australia
I really like the zig zags. I think you should just clean them up. They're really unique!
:)
Ingrid
The zigzag handles are definitely worth keeping in my book.
Can I ask where in Jersey you were? the background of that picture looks familiar, but I've been in many a random junk shop/antique place in NJ and they all look about the same.
Hi Jenny, what about the campaign furniture? It was in your old master bedroom…what will you do with it? Like the new dressers but like the brass pulls better than the zigzag for sure. Only drawback of those pulls, is that when you open them when one of you is still sleeping, they make NOISE!
oh, if you end up changing them, I think you should keep he old ones for some other project.
i've never seen anything like them again!
leevalley.com out of Canada has a great selection of hardware with ring pulls in various sizes and styles. Mine were made in Italy, which was nice, and I think only a few bucks a piece. Definitely worth a look.
Oh, I have to say that I love the zigzag handles too! So unique! A bit of Rub n' Buff or Brasso should perk them up. Nothing against the ring pulls, but they're everywhere right now and you have something so unique on your hands. (But I'm sure whatever you choose will look great! :)
I'd vote to clean up the original pulls, they're so unique!
absolutely love the zig zag hardware! wish i had some myself!
Digging the Zaggg!
The zigzag hardware is so unique! I'd try to save them, as much for their uniqueness, as also the possibility that it might be tough to hide the patched holes. Looking forward to see what you decide.
I also really love the existing hardware — they kind of make the dressers. Try cleaning them up for sure. If not, I'd love to take those zig-zags off your hands!
Oh no I love the zig zag!! So original, do not throw away please!!
Oh Jenny. You've got to polish up those pulls. They're AMAZING! That's my vote. Keep 'em!
xx
Kelly
Zig zag for sure. Where did you find these beauties?
the zig zags are super cool
I LOVE the new dressers…really like the zigzag but I'm a sucker for the rings.
Found these:
http://www.leevalley.com/US/hardware/page.aspx?p=41880&cat=3,43520,43521,43559
or…
http://www.leevalley.com/US/hardware/page.aspx?p=48407&cat=3,43520,43521,43559
{B- last one is 2.2")
I think they'd look better with the ring pulls, but why not keep the zigzag pulls for another project?
alright, apparently I'm in the minority here, but I think the zigzags are a bit much on THIS dresser. Save them for another piece. I totally think the rings would be the perfect touch of elegance on these pieces.
What a terrific find. The dressers are extremely good looking.
The zig zag pulls are so sharp (and unusual). They compliment and really make the great look of the dressers. The chest and the pulls go together to complete the whole.
I recommend sprucing up the pulls to create perfect dressers
Zig Zag! The pull is boring!
Zig Zag! The pull is boring!
In the minority here, but for me, the look with the zig zags is too literal to the original time period.
They are pretty neat, though, and hopefully you could save them to use somewhere else?
zig zag, okay think how difficult it would be to find them vs how readily available the other option is, it's a no brainer, either try brasso or get them re-plated
My vote is for the brass rings – because you loved that idea first. I do think the zig zag pulls could definitely look great cleaned up – even on another piece!
The zigzag pulls are very cool and interesting but if it were me I would do the brass rings. I think the ring pulls would update this furniture and the zigzag pulls can make a new piece of furniture have character.
I think the brass rings look more sophisticated. Definitely keep those zigzag pulls for another project. They are very cool.
I would stick with the zig zag hardware. The brass rings are so typical, yes more sophisticated but also more expected. The zig zag pulls are much more unexpected and I think that makes the dressers more interesting. Not to mention how much noisier the ring hardware is when opening & closing drawers.
What a steal!
I think the zigzags are cool — try fixing them up first before swapping them out!
Okay, I pretty much love and would copy anything you do. But I have to yell "don't do it!" here. Those brass rings are cute. But they are. on. everything. ever. right now.
The zig zags make the pieces. Please don't get rid of them. Or at least save them in case you recirculate those pieces back into the wild. A later owner would probably buy the dressers FOR the zig zags.
No more brass rings! Stop the madness!
I vote for keeping the zig zag pulls. They are so unique!
I love the brass rings, but I think you should hold onto the zig-zags. Those are super cool and could possibly look perfect on something else. Also, I saw that exact same tiger maple dresser in Redlands, CA during December. It was at an antique gallery there. They also had the highboy that went with it in perfect condition. I think it was $500 for the set. I still dream about those. But shipping them back to Texas wouldn't have been worth it. :)
After a few recent moves, one being across the country, I have been recently lamenting decisions about the furniture I have gotten rid of. Your blog however has made me realize that I need to get over myself and treat my home like my wardrobe…things need to come in and leave to keep it fresh. Basically, I need to chill out and have fun with changing it up! Thank you Jenny for your awesome blog…I look forward to seeing your posts in my feed reader!
ps..I like the brass pulls
Love those zigzag pulls! And a great find, too!
clean the zigs- fo'sho':) so unique and interesting!!
Pretty! Not trying to mooch but if you end up going for the ring pulls I'd love to buy the zig zag hardware from you! I have a vintage dresser that I'm redoing and need some hardware for.
I definitely vote for the pull rings. Te zig zag is unique, but I think you would get tired of them after a while.
I LOVE the zig zags but if you're dying to switch, I've ordered from Lee Valley Tools before and they're beautiful and inexpensive.
I love the zig zag! You can always switch to brass rings later if you want or you might grow to love them! It's timely, too, with how huge chevron patterns are at the moment.
zig zag :)
eeeeeekkkk! I love those zig-zag pulls!
I think the zig-zag is a little too retro. My vote is for the circular pulls. I have bought these before and thought they were good quality but they are not as big as you'd like.
http://www.knobsandhardware.com/pulls/jvj-hardware-310-diameter-ring-pull_g766707.html?isku=6656415&linkloc=collectionProductItemsImage
good luck on your search!
Loving the zig-zags — unique!
I find I'm in the minority here, but I would do the ring pulls. Maybe spiffed up I would like the zigzag better, but as they are they just don't do anything for me. But I would hold onto the zigzag pulls, just in case they worked well for something down the road.