In Italy, Nazzareno Bonaretti, with his older brother, Giovanni made furniture on spec and this expertise was used to make smaller-sized kitchen dressers for children. The photo on the right was taken on 4th May, 1946, and shows an ornate kitchen dresser offered for sale at a northern Italian market. The dresser appears quite complicated and comprehensive in offering storage in a child-sized kitchen.
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It was this experience in miniaturised cabinet-making that produced a range of quality wooden or Corinite dressers and buffets for children.
Picture
Fancy kitchen dresser offered for sale at a northern Italian market by Nazzareno Bonaretti on 4th May, 1946.

BESTOYS DRESSERS

1959

Two styles of DRESSER were available from Bestoys listed in S. Hoffnung & Co Limited catalogue of 1959: the KITCHEN DRESSER and the BEDROOM DRESSING TABLE. The two Kitchen Dressers were
  • “FANTASY” DRESSER and
  • DRESSER
The Bedroom Dressing Table was named
  • “VANITY” DRESSING TABLE
All three items were made using the same method: a timber frame usually made using ¾” dressed radiata pine onto which was glued and nailed Masonite. The edges and corners of the ‘box’ were then sanded down and the unit spray painted inside and out, first with a white undercoat, then hand-sanded smooth after which a tinted lead-free lacquer was applied.
Decoration varied. The “Fantasy” and the “Vanity” had spray-painted darts and circles stencilled to the sliding doors, while the Dresser a wet-application transfer was applied to the doors. The celluloid  doors to the top cabinet of the “Fantasy” Dresser also had a spray-painted pattern stencilled on them.
These units were supplied partially unassembled. The legs, doors and top cabinet wrapped and inserted into the bottom cabinet and packed into a carton.

Dresser 'find'

In October, 2015, this item was found sold by Canberra Antiques Centre for $175.00
(https://www.canberraantiques.com/our-products/sold-1/toys-sold)
The caption reads: c1950s timber and masonite kiddies kitchen dresser by Bestoys. Original condition with decal. Height 59 cm, Length 58.5 cm. Uncommon. $175 Shop 6 SOLD
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While it was described as c1950s, it would have been manufactured between 1959 and 1966 – most likely closer to 1966 when some modifications and improvements had been made to the initial Dresser and subsequent “S.F.” Dresser. The model sold here had a back board to the top cabinet and another between the top and bottom cabinets.
These three models continued in production until 1965 when the ​“VANITY” DRESSING TABLE was discontinued.

1965

With the discontinuance of the “VANITY” Dressing Table, a new Dresser was introduced:
  • “DAISY” DRESSER
This did not take the place of the “Vanity” as the “Daisy” was a Kitchen Dresser.
The illustration in the Bestoys 1965 catalogue does not adequately illustrate the visual effect of the pressed hardboard panels, either harlequin (diamond) pattern or fluted.
This item was supplied fully assembled.

1966

With the introduction of furniture for Barbie and Sindy et al, production capacity was stretched to the limit and some items had to be discontinued. This year, 1966, saw the demise of all three Dressers: the newly introduced “Daisy”, and the old established “Fantasy” and (S.F.) Dresser.

1968

Picture
From Bestoys 1968 catalogue
Once again, Bestoys resurrected one of its staples, the Kitchen Dresser, and modernised it by using the latest materials, Corinite, a high-pressure plastic laminate fused to hardboard or particle board.
The “BUFFETTE” also used pressed hardboard for its doors – the catalogue illustration shows the harlequin patterned board. As before, this Dresser was partially assembled with the top cabinet fitting into the bottom unit for packing.
Its production was short-lived and by 1970, had been discontinued.

1972


​Giving the young Homemaker a sense of modern style, Bestoys introduced this miniature version of the buffet/sideboard complete with a display section for that special piece of toy crockery.
It was made of Corinite with Swedish-style legs and two hinged doors and a drawer. The edges, as with most of the items made of Corinite, were finished in gold lacquer.
While chic and trendy, by 1973 the new-style "Buffette" had been discontinued.
Picture
Bestoys "Buffette"

c1973

In order to keep freight costs as low as possible, Jim Bonaretti redesigned the kitchen dresser so that it could be packed flat and easily assembled. This item was called simply “DE LUXE DRESSER” and came with four shelves and two sliding doors.
Made of ½” particle board and finished in a range of pastel colours that matched the new range of doll’s high chairs, ironing boards, toy boxes and the “Princess” Crib, it became a popular item in the range of Bestoys products.
This item remained in the Bestoys range until about 1979. 
Picture
From Bestoys 1973 catalogue