Looking for a chest of drawers? House Beautiful's Web site offers a portfolio of nearly two dozen bureaus, from the sublime (Wendell Castle's Miami-ready "Muse") to the ridiculous (Oscar de la Renta's leopard patterned "Bombe"). Ethan Allen's "Modern Glamour Single Chest" (left) is an elegant classic at $999, but I fell hard for Currey & Company's "Beachcomber," which comes encrusted with shells. (But you'll have to shell out $3,750 for it.) Want a budget option? Pier 1's $349 "Rono Bamboo 4-Drawer" more than holds its own in this crowd. Remember, storage solutions that combine beauty and function are more likely to be used, so when you're buying a bureau, don't skimp on looks.
_{Photo © Ethan Allen}