Asked on Mar 16, 2014

How can I get these two pieces look like they have always one?

Sharolyn T
by Sharolyn T
My request is unusual. I have two pieces I am wanting to put together to make a 'memory' piece. The chest belonged to my husband's grandmother, and the headboard belonged to our youngest son who died in a car wreck a few years ago. I want to use this in my kitchen as a hutch. As it stands, it is over 6 ft. tall. There are two small drawers in the headboard. My grandson helped me get this headboard into my kitchen and we just set it on top of the chest of drawers, so the board you can see between the pieces is not a permanent part of it. My kitchen cabinets are a creamy buttermilk white and if you are able to see the walls, they are green and the upper wall is papered. Because this is pretty emotional, I am having trouble seeing this completed, even tho this has been a plan for quite a while now. One thing for sure is that my microwave will sit in this, somehow. Thank you for your suggestions to make this a piece to be treasured!
This is the 'chest of drawers' I want to use for the bottom of my memory piece.
My grandson helped me retrieve the headboard from storage so it is just sitting on top.
This is the headboard I want to somehow 'marry/combine/attach' to the chest of drawers.
Close-up of them together. As you can see, the headboard is about 1 inch wider on each side.
What it looks like up close.
  25 answers
  • Sharolyn T Sharolyn T on Mar 16, 2014
    I forgot to add that my kitchen is country vintage.
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    • Adrianne C Adrianne C on Mar 17, 2014
      @Sharolyn T I didn't do this piece, I saw it and shared it. It was done by:Simply Vintageous...by Suzan
  • Country Design Home Country Design Home on Mar 16, 2014
    Sharolyn, this will be a great piece and a beautiful reminder of your loved ones. I would remove that bottom brace piece of the headboard. Then create a back from some headboard that will create a solid rear wall. Attach the top to the base in the back. If the top is wider than the base, you will need to add another piece to make it wide enough. I was going to say you could then add shelving in that space but obviously not if you need to put the microwave there. Paint and finish the entire piece in the creamy white to match your cabinetry with some green accents. Use matching knobs for top and bottom. Good luck! Please post an after pic!
    • Sharolyn T Sharolyn T on Mar 16, 2014
      @Sue@CountryDesignHome Thank you for your advice. I have wondered about leaving room for my microwave and add shelves in another way?
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Mar 16, 2014
    It looks out of balance and the drawers look strange that high up. Cut the legs off just above that brace to lower the top piece. This will add more balance and stability. Then I would paint the 2 pieces a beautiful light gray, accent the indents in the drawers in a dark gray and then use a dark wax. Gray will go with any color in your kitchen. A dark gray piece of granite would give you a great sideboard to serve food from. I would love this in my kitchen to put all the "stuff" I want to keep close but out of sight. The drawers can even be fitted with pegs (dowels) that keep plates from bumping into each other and chipping! Use short double ended screws to put in the pegs.
    • Sharolyn T Sharolyn T on Mar 16, 2014
      @Jeanette S I agree about the drawers looking strange so high. Until I posted this...I had never thought of removing the drawers. Thank you for your ideas.
  • yea I think I would cut the legs off some what too
  • Denise Deschamps Denise Deschamps on Mar 16, 2014
    I would cut the legs just over the the brace and remove the 2 small drawers
  • Marianne Litkei Grimbly Marianne Litkei Grimbly on Mar 16, 2014
    I agree with the others above about removing part of the legs and the drawers, then just paint everything the same colour.
  • Sweet Peas Charm Sweet Peas Charm on Mar 16, 2014
    Definitely cut the legs down and you can use the left over wood to make signs or plaques in memory of etc... Use Plaster Paint to simplify the project so you can have your memory piece done more quickly. Find it at sweetpeascharm.com.
    • Sharolyn T Sharolyn T on Mar 16, 2014
      @Sweet Peas Charm I just came from your website....wonderful! As I was checking out your items...I had a thought. I wonder how the drawers would look to remove them, then attach them to the space between the chest and headboard, flat, to use as shelves...or even hang on the wall somewhere near my piece?
  • Julie Julie on Mar 16, 2014
    I agree with the above comments. I would also remove the plant on moldings on the headboard (if possible) to give it a more simple look. Change hardware to match. Hang the headboard on the wall so it does not appear to stick out past the dresser top.
    • Sharolyn T Sharolyn T on Mar 16, 2014
      @Julie More to think about with your ideas, Julie. Hanging it on the wall would certainly solve one problem!!...and removing those 'moldings' is another idea I had not thought of. Thank you for sharing.
  • Julie Julie on Mar 16, 2014
    You might also consider turning the headboard upside down and create a plate holder above the part that would be the drawer section.
  • Lisa Lisa on Mar 16, 2014
    I agree with Judy. Love that she included photos to show what she meant. I'd add narrow beadboard to the back open section and on the sides of the dresser part (after you add wood to widen it), and then paint the whole thing cream to go with your existing colors. You might have to add a wide board or countertop. And a shelf to hold your microwave. To make the drawers look right, you may want to add small shelves on either side of the microwave space. How tall is the combination? That's what would determine the usability of those drawers. You could always remove them and create a plaque for that area. Please show what you do in the end. I think it's a wonderful idea!
  • Sweet Peas Charm Sweet Peas Charm on Mar 16, 2014
    I think that's an ingenious idea! I vote "yes"! Thank you for the compliment on my website! If you decide to use Plaster Paint I'd recommend "Sweet Cream"...it would look gorgeous!
    • Sharolyn T Sharolyn T on Mar 16, 2014
      @Sweet Peas Charm What is Plaster paint? Is that different than chalkboard paint? Sweet cream sounds like a nice color.
  • Sharolyn T Sharolyn T on Mar 16, 2014
    Every one has been so helpful. With all these ideas, I should be able to customize this to fit my space, but more importantly to me...to have a piece to remember my son by. I decided to measure the two pieces to help the ideas come together. The headboard is 57 1/2" across the very top and 54 1/2" below there and 38 1/4" tall. I also measured the side up to the top of the brace and it is 9 3/4" and 21 1/2" to the bottom of the piece under the drawer space. The chest is 52" wide X 31 1/4"tall.
  • Z Z on Mar 16, 2014
    @Sharolyn, first off I'm so sorry for you loses. We expect to lose grandparents, though it's still hard, but to lose a child rips you to the core. Especially suddenly. My heart breaks for you. I think this is a wonderful idea to put these to pieces together as a memorial to two you loved so much. If they were mine I'd think about cutting the base completely off the bookcase head board. I'd then add cove molding around the front and sides of the dresser then add a larger piece of wood on top of that to match the crown and top of the headboard. This will give you a little more width to the dresser top for the headboard to set on. If you had straight on photos I'd do a virtual for you so you could see what it could look like. In the mean time I did a quick example with some photos I snagged.
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    • Z Z on Mar 17, 2014
      You're welcome @Sharolyn. I don't think there is a word to describe the loss. Though you go on with your life, it's never the same. If you can't get far enough back to take a straight on photo of it as a whole, one of each piece could work too. And yes, it would be similar to an old fashioned buffet. With a matching crown on the base and headboard, matching drawer pulls and painted all the same I don't think anyone would notice the top and bottom wasn't a set.
  • Sweet Peas Charm Sweet Peas Charm on Mar 16, 2014
    Sharolyn, Plaster Paint is very similar to chalk paint as far as the way it works....NO PREP WORK...yahoo!! The major difference is the cost... Chalk paint averages $38.00 per quart, whereas Plaster Paint is only $24.00 per quart. Here is a link to a blog I wrote about it (within the blog is ordering information as well): http://sweetpeascharm.com/1/post/2014/02/get-plastered-with-sweet-peas-charm.html Here also is a link to a video of a Fox News interview with Annette Wicker, one of the owners of The Plaster Paint Company...it truly is incredible paint and it's all I use anymore! http://www.fox23.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=4924062&navCatId=395-plaster%20paint I have also attached a photo of table I painted in Sweet Cream... There are over 30 beautiful colors to choose from, but Sweet Cream is one of my favorites! I'm happy to provide more information if you have any questions! I can't wait to see your memory piece finished!
  • MsMyra M MsMyra M on Mar 17, 2014
    I haven't read through all the comments so forgive me if I repeat an Idea. I would start by topping off the dresser with a piece of nicely painted pine in a length a few inches longer and change the depth on the front only by 2 or 3inches. I would also make sure the pine top had a bull nose finish to leave some softness to the design. This would leave a sturdy base to attach the headboard. Then go from there.
    • Sharolyn T Sharolyn T on Mar 17, 2014
      @MsMyra M I had to look up 'bull nose' to make sure I was on the same page. ;) Everyone has been so kind and so many ideas to think thru!! Thank you!
  • Vivian Webb Vivian Webb on Mar 17, 2014
    I think the headboard would make an awesome shelf. I would remove the legs using just the box with the drawers and paint it with homemade chalk paint. It's beautiful on its own. You could use it anywhere. If you want them together just paint them the same color. Personally I think it would look great in a den too.
    • Sharolyn T Sharolyn T on Mar 17, 2014
      @Vivian Webb You know...you are right about it looking good even in another setting. I do remember seeing something similar in a friends laundry room over the washer/drawer...I had forgotten about that. Lots to think about!! Thank you!
  • Cynthia Hudek Cynthia Hudek on Mar 17, 2014
    If you want to keep it as is without cutting up then I would get a nice pc. of wood and router the edge and place on top of dresser . A cabinet shop would router it for you for not much money. The paint ideas are very good but maybe use 2 shades of the same color for accent on drawers. I admire you and wish you the best with this project!
    • Sharolyn T Sharolyn T on Mar 17, 2014
      @Cynthia Hudek Wish I had a router...would do it myself! :) Will have to check into having something like that done. Thank you for your advice.
  • Diane Arnold Diane Arnold on Mar 17, 2014
    Since you said you are going to put your microwave on it, I would cut the legs so it was just a bit taller than it. The ideas Judy gave you putting them together were great. Plus all the paint ideas from everyone. Only thing left is to get new matching hardware and it will look like a forever piece. Personally I would center the microwave and put wood dividers on each side. I hope you let us see your finished product. Bless you.
    • Sharolyn T Sharolyn T on Mar 17, 2014
      @Diane Arnold great idea....right now I have it in a temporary 'edge' of the shelf place...centered would be a better way! Thank you!
  • Kimberly Russell Kimberly Russell on Mar 18, 2014
    I admire you for what you are wanting to do, God bless you dear. I, too would find a way for putting a larger top on the dresser then the two slates down low on the head board I would cut them off and then find a way to add a shelf or two through that area. Attach bead board to the back between the head board and dresser, Then paint it a color or two that works well with your kitchen. I have done this very thing with a head board and dresser. Painted it all up together and it worked out really well. The bead board attached to the back between the two helps to support it also. Please post photos when you finish I would love to see the end product. :)
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    • Sharolyn T Sharolyn T on Jul 24, 2014
      @Kimberly Russell Kimberly...Thank you for sharing the pic of your headboard project. It makes a great changing table....passing down memories! It's great that your daughter will be using it for her baby...your grandbaby!! I can't believe I am just seeing your post! Thank you for responding. As soon as I finish painting the woodwork in my dining room, this is my next project. YAY!!
  • Cynthia Hudek Cynthia Hudek on Mar 19, 2014
    Judy J that is brilliant!
  • Jan C Jan C on Mar 21, 2014
    I'd use them together. I'd remove the supporting board across the front of the legs of the headboard, (keeping the one in the back for support) shave the sides of the headboard to same width as the base, then connect. Then you could put your microwave on top of base, but it would be below the bottom of the box of the headboard, and then you'd have storage above the microwave. You could put microwave in middle or to either side, then maybe some potted plants next to it, or toaster oven, toaster or coffee maker! Then paint all the same white as cabinets, and change all the knobs on dresser and headboard to match. Once all painted the same color and same knobs, you wouldn't notice the difference in the wood as much. I'd also maybe take 2-5" off the height of the legs of the headboard before attaching so cabinet doors on headboard are easily reachable. I think it is a wonderful remembrance idea, so sorry for your loss.
    • Sharolyn T Sharolyn T on Jul 24, 2014
      @Jan C Great ideas...I just love this site, all the creative people on here and your willingness to share ideas and uplift others as we strive to create our own little pieces of memories or spaces to remember! Thank you!!
  • Linda Jamison Linda Jamison on Jul 24, 2014
    Well I would cut the legs down taller than the microwave is and put plywood on the back to cover the opening with a hole cut out where ever you need to for the plug and make the plywood wider than the opening so you can attach it to the bottom on the back side to make it stable. If you are wanting to just match the head board to the bottom before attaching it to the bottom strip it and stain it to match the bottom. Other wise strip them both and stain, pain.. ect what ever you want on the whole thing. You are good at decorating so I know you will choose something that looks good in your house. I would also glue some felt on the bottom of the legs so they don't scratch and ruin the top of the bottom piece.
    • Sharolyn T Sharolyn T on Jul 25, 2014
      @Linda Jamison Thanks Sis...Hadn't thot about felt...will need to get some of that. I got paint today and hope to get started soon. I have the legs cut down, the headboard sanded and the knobs off the chest to start sanding that piece....then on to paint! Love ya!
  • Sta413190 Sta413190 on Aug 19, 2014
    Maybe you could just use the headboard as a display case for plates hanging on the wall, or perhaps you could use it as a wine storage unit use a dowel rod attached at the bottom for display of aprons or pretty table linens. Use the dresser as a kitchen island.
    • Sharolyn T Sharolyn T on Aug 20, 2014
      @Stac Thank you for your advice...I am currently working on this piece. As it gets closer to being finished, maybe I will know exactly how to use it...together or separately. People here on Hometalk have been extremely helpful...love having this as a way to get answers to our problems with furniture