Y’all rock.  Thanks for all the votes!  There was very little consensus, which is kind of cool to see that the people who read here have such different favorites.  In addition to putting together a ‘show,’ I am also putting together an entry collection for the State Fair.  It’s 10 bucks to enter, and then the prizes are 40 for first in each category, and a 150 best of show.  There are several categories, and the 10 bucks covers 2 entries per category, which is a bargain, so I’m going to do that, too.  Getting my photos Out There was one of my creative goals for the summer (along with starting a YA novel) so I feel really energized that I’m doing just that.

After my exit interview today, I went on a mini road trip through Piscataquis county.  I’d never really BEEN there, just passed through, and it was really cool to stop and take it in.  I went to a great cafe that is housed in an old bank, and the owner has been working for 10 years to restore it, and I was absolutely KICKING myself that I didn’t bring my camera.  So much so, that I will probably go back before summer is over and ask to take pictures.  I was the only one there, and he showed me before and after pictures, and the back rooms, and talked about the process of restoring it. Really incredible place.  Also on my creative goals: Take Camera Everywhere.

When I was in NYC, I was sort of sheepish about looking like a tourist yokel with the camera around the neck, and I am still really shy about shooting people, unless it’s like, Dave or one of Amy’s kids, because shooting people is more  . . . raw.  I’m much more at ease doing the surreptitious macro stuff.

ANYWAY. This has NOTHING to do with the title, which is furnitcha’, because I’m on a DresserQuest.  (Why are they not bureaus anymore? Or is that a maine thing?)  My folks gave me some money with an excellent caveat of "for furniture only" and with my grandma’s check, I can afford to dun dun DAAHHH — finally get a damn dresser.  I think I’ve narrowed it down to two styles, which couldn’t be more different.  So, of course, I look to the internet for guidance.

They are both by Vaughan-Bassett, and made of real wood, and feel good and solid and have good drawer maneuverability, which is very important to me. 

The first is a maple dresser. I like this, it has brushed nickel pulls (as does the other contender) but it does feel slightly less heavy than the other one. 

The second is a black cottage dresser.  This is heavier, visually, and also bigger than the maple one by about 7,000 cubic inches.  (Um, yeah.  My furniture guy is the dad of one of my former students, and I sort of laughed and told him he’d have to tell his kid that I made him do math. Hee.)  It also FEELS heavier.  Not that the maple is flimsy (it’s no Sauder stuff, by any means) but just… there’s more heft.

And, in that photo there is the standard chest, but there is also a vanity chest, as seen in the background of this picture, which really appeals, too.  It might be just enough dresser for Dave, and get the TV hidden away.

Also, there would be no mirror (the swoopy thing isn’t my style) on either, I’d hang one separate.  And, whichever dresser I get will probably be the first piece of furniture of a set that I add to in the future, either from the same collection or otherwise, but I want there to be some consistency.  For the first piece, it would be the long dresser that we start with, and not the tall chest, FYI.  (Of course, the store has a tent sale right now with mismatched mirrors for 20 bucks, and I could totally add that and paint it black if I wanted.)

Anyway. Opinions?