Can I do it?

I've been trolling CL for weeks now looking for a buffet for the living room.  I found one, on the cheap, but couldn't fit it in the in laws SUV.  So while I wait for my father in law to fix his pick-em-up truck I've been searching for alternatives.

While I have myself on a pretty tight budget ($100 total, buffet, hardware, paint) I also want a piece that serves multiple functions.  First, it has "fit" the room.  Our living room is eclectic to say the least.  There are new couches but vintage touches so nothing too modern. Second, it has to have some storage, I have way too much "stuff" and not enough drawers in which to hide it.  Lastly, it has to fit behind one of the couches, a la couch table.  This last one is the kicker.  I can't have anything too wide as it will cause the couch to sit out in the room too far.  The only time I will be used as a couch table will be during Christmas when the tree takes up the front window.  I could avoid having to use it in this way by putting the tree in another area of the room but I WILL NOT do that, a Christmas tree is meant to be in a window.  We have a 12 foot long window in our living room, who in their right mind wouldn't put a tree there?? 

Here's a pic to prove my point.

I started searching for buffet's but most of them are too ornate, too expensive or just too ugly. Then I started searching for "hutch" thinking I would just remove the top part, resell it or re-purpose it.  Again I'm finding nothing but ugly, expensive, ornate.  I had to start thinking outside of the box so I start searching dressers and find what I'm looking for.  Most dressers are 18-20 inches deep which meets my "must be used as a sofa table" requirement and most of them are dirt cheap.  I also found one that the owner was willing to deliver.  I was in CL heaven! Then the clouds parted and the rain started; the post was from June. I emailed them anyways, even offered to up the asking price some.  Let's hope it's still available.

If so, it's fate, it's meant to be, all is right in the world.

Let me be honest with you.  The dresser is ugly.  U G L Y it ain't got no alibi, ugly.

See, told you so.

I'm also not sure it's length, which I was hoping to find one at least 60".

I have no idea what that white thing is either.

Are you scratching your heads in wonder yet? Why, oh why would I want such an atrocity in my house?

This is why...

photo: Life in the Fun Lane

Still don't believe me? Here's what they started with.

Not too far from this is it?

Little white (actually I would probably use grey) paint, little tons of sanding, some new hardware, little distressing and walllllllla! I can also guarantee I'd come in under my $100 budget!

So, do you think I can do it?

What about this one?

Or maybe this one?

If so, can I borrow your truck?

Seriously, I'll gas it up! ;)

Update!! The dresser lands tonight.  I was lucky enough to get the one with free delivery! I plan on buying an orbital sander and getting started on her tomorrow night.  It will be my first adventure into distressing, so I hope it's not too...distressing!