I first laid my everlovin’ child-of-the-’70s eyes on Drexel Whimsy vintage furniture in 2011. Sightings since then have been virtually nil, but now — a very exciting email from Michigan, where there is a complete set of bedroom furniture for sale. Up for grabs is: a bed, end table, low dresser, tall dresser, modular corner desk with chair — and even a coordinating bedspread. 
At first glance, the painted design on this furniture appears wackadoodle. But look more closely: It is very planful — certain parts of some flowers aren’t even painted, the natural finish of the wood is part of the design.
What do you think? Are our nearest-dearest design preferences set when we are… about 16? I sure think mine were.
The corner treatments — the gold L-pieces — make this “campaign style”. Well, 70s-campaign-flower-power-mash-up-style.
Kate also spotted the wonderful drawer pulls — Drexel’s attention to detail was terrific. And see up close how you can see that certain flower petals and middle parts of flower peek through to the natural wood?
The desk looks like it fits into a corner.
See how paint trends come … and paint trends go…?
The 70s saw a revival in Victoriana… hipsters o’ that time were pulling stuff out of their grandparents’ attics, basements and bedrooms… and reinventing it with paint. Lots of paint. Of course, a few decades later, many folks regretted messing with the original finishes…. Did you see my story –“Is it a decorating mortal sin to paint wood furniture — three votes yes, two votes no” on The Huffington Post“ earlier this week? I am now blogging for HuffPost on occasion…. they don’t pay me, but it’s good added exposure for RetroRenovation.com, don’t you think?
If you want to nab this Drexel Whimsy bedroom set:
- It’s available for sale, located in Brighton, Michigan (near Ann Arbor). The asking price is $2,700 for the set. Contact: info@accreditedmngt.com
- Note, from the same estate there is a Drexel Declaration dining room set. Table and chairs are $950, buffet is $550.
More eye candy, retrolicous furniture designs from our archive:
- Drexel Plus One — I adore this one, too!
- Not to be confused with Broyhill Chapter One.
Anna says
I grew up with a set just like this, but all of it was yellow, like the chair in the blog post photos. And we have that chair too! The set is still at Mom’s. The times I may spend the night at Mom’s I will sleep in that room. It’s so fun to see others liking this furniture. It’s so well made.
Laurie Hammons says
I have this set from when I was a teenager. However, it is the yellowish color instead of the orange, like the chair in the photos above. I’m settling Mom’s estate and would like to find a good home for it. I have 2 twin headboards (different from the one above; they have a panel of the painted flowers on each and match the style of the chest), a desk, the low 6-drawer dresser, one bedside table, and the freestanding mirror! (Wasn’t I the luckiest teen!) It is in very good condition. I have photos. I’m in Houston and not sure about how shipping would work.
pam kueber says
Laurie, no buying/selling here on the main blog or it would be chaos. Put these up for sale on craigslist and or ebay.
Cheryl Sweppy says
Pam, I can’t thank you enough for starting your Retro Renovation blog! I have been following you for years and now own this fabulous set thanks to you! I saw the listing about three weeks after it was posted and my heart sank as I scrolled through the pics. I was sure someone had snatched it up already. It was still available, but there had been plenty of inquiries, from Connecticut to California. People had passed on it because they were concerned about the cost of shipping and possible damages in transit, two very valid concerns. I didn’t have to worry about any of that, as this set was only 45 minutes away from me! I had been wanting this set for years, ever since I saw an ad for it on ebay. I regret not buying the ad and am wondering what some of the other pieces are. I found a hutch, 6 drawer dresser and two door cabinet that friends picked up for me in New Hampshire. I will be picking those up in late July/early August. I think I am close to having a complete set. I think a cheval mirror and stool were also available. Could you please put me in touch with the original owner? I would like to see if the original bedspread is still available. It was not at the warehouse. I saw the Declaration dining set and it is in excellent condition. I believe it is still available. I also acquired a set of Chapter One bedroom furniture in yellow right before I bought the Whimsy set! As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours!
Brad Elliott says
Hi Chetyl,
Hopefully I can brighten (literally) your day a bit with this!!!! 🙂
https://www.etsy.com/listing/236285934/drexel-whimsy-hutch
-Brad Elliott
( Owner )
Mid Century Modern Home
Brad Elliott says
*Cheryl… 🙂
Cheryl Sweppy says
I saw that on Etsy! It looks like it fits on the 30″ wide pieces. Too bad you are so far away from me.:(
Brad Elliott says
Hi Cheryl!
Looks like you are right, it measures out 30″w x 33″h x 12″d.
I can easily ship this piece anywhere in the lower 48 without concern that it will be damaged… I do this all the time… 🙂 🙂 🙂
If you would like, I’d be glad to quote you the shipping here or via an Etsy conversation. I just need your area code.
Thanks for your interest!
-Brad
(Owner)
Mid Century Modern Home
pam kueber says
Please take this over to etsy. Formally, no buying/selling on the blog or else it gets to be chaos.
Brad Elliott says
My apologies Pam!! 🙂 Thanks for setting me straight!
See you in the land of Etsy Cheryl!
-Brad
Brad Elliott says
O….. M…. G……….
Just yesterday I picked up 1969 Drexel whimsy hutch! I would post a picture of it here, but I can’t figure out how lol!
It will be in my Etsy store soon, but you can let me know here if you’re interested!
Or…. if you know how I can post a picture hahaha! 🙂
-Brad Elliott
(Owner)
Mid Century Modern Home
pam kueber says
cool. you can’t post photos here but once your photo is hosted elsewhere you can post the link…
Lynn says
That is an interesting thought that our tastes form when we are young. I think there is some validity to that. My very first bedroom as a baby was painted pink and had a white bedspread and curtains with little pink flowers and green stems. I had a desk painted white with gold trim. I think this would be shabby chic today. The bedroom got altered when the spread and curtains wore out, and became garage sale mismatch. I returned it as a teenager to the same white and pink, but this time with green walls, but again shabby chic. As an adult, my living room is shabby chic–off white and white with light green and pink accents. I bet my coffin will be white and gold and lined with shabby chic style fabric!! Also, my bed and dresser as a kid were mid-century modern (I still have them), so that explains why I like that so much too. You’ll have to do a survey and I, as a researcher and data analyst, will analyze the results to see if there is support for the theory!
Bronwyn says
Very cute! A few months back I bought 2 gorgeous 50s/60s matching Drexel dressers here in Culver City, CA (there were actually 2 matching night stands that I didn’t buy). I would love to learn more about this company–my internet searches didn’t pull up a lot.
Mrs. FMV says
What a fun set! I’ve never seen this before. Perfect for a little girl’s (or full grown gal’s) room!