I have a slightly unhealthy obsession with vintage campaign furniture.
Did you see Vanessa De Vargas’ kelly green campaign style console in the latest Lonny? {By the way, if you’re not reading Lonny (a FREE online magazine) you’re really missing out!}
Campaign furniture can be pricey, especially in vintage furniture stores (where they know what they have) but sometimes you can luck out on Craigslist. I recently bought a pair of dressers with removable shelves for our bedroom, which is slowly but surely getting decorated.
CL seller’s photo (not too appealing, right? It’s all about the potential!)The set was $60 and was in decent condition (not too many scratches) but it was DIRTY!!
Check out the nasty, dingy brass hardware before:
I used Bar Keeper’s Friend to soak and scrub off all the grime.
Then it was time to paint. I wiped down all the surfaces really well and vacuumed out the inside of the dressers. Everything was primed with Zinssers using a mini-roller.
Then I used a brush to paint all the corners and awkward parts of the dressers and shelves.
A mini roller was used to apply two to three coats of paint (Benjamin Moore’s ‘Hamptons Green’ in semi-gloss latex).
This weekend our bedroom is getting all the finishing touches, so come back next week for the reveal and projects recap. Though, I have to say, my motherly instincts are telling me that I’m going to have the baby sooner than later…?
I mean, this is seriously inspiring. Attaway to go girl! And if you did this while super preggers, well then I feel even worse about myself!
Saw it in Lonny and LOVED the piece! I need to start looking for a piece! If you'll do the rehab…
I noticed that same green dresser. I love your piece too!
beautiful. absolutely beautiful. i love the simplicity of your version cuz the lines are so clean and the brass simply pops! :)
I've never heard of campaign furniture before, but I'm now adding this to my list to look for during my daily craigslist scrounge.
Wow turned out beautiful! I love your style- good luck with the coming weeks :)
this is fantastic! haven't gotten to read the latest issue yet, but cannot wait.
great job!!
Just beautiful.
So, I'm curious, did the craigslist seller know what they had. I'm just wondering if it was listed as campaign furniture, or you just happened upon it? Love your work keep it up!
It looks great!! What a lucky find. I can't wait to see the rest of your room!
Jenny,
You have outdone yourself! This is stunning!!
Amy
I thought of you when I saw that in Lonny — and it looks like it's two pieces?
I passed on a cute little BAKER campaign chest at an auction (had already spent my budget when it came up) and I am still kicking myself for it. Especially after I saw it's twin at Scott's for three times the price …
Shannon- the seller did know and listed the set as 'Campaign style dressers'. I usually search for 'campaign' or 'campaigner' when I'm looking for this type of furniture. There are just too many results for 'vintage dresser' or whatever – though, if you have some time to kill, just put the word 'vintage' in eBay or Craigslist and you'll be sure to find a gold mine!
Looks great! I have a similar cabinet without the corner brass detailing. Know anywhere I can find brass hardware like that?
That looks great! What a wonderful job you did.
I LOVE it. I've been dithering on a piece at our goodwill all week– although I have to say the "property of the Greensboro Housing Authority" sticker is what's been keeping me from buying. I don't get it. Can't wait to see the reveal– and talk about staying busy and nesting!
Beautiful! You did such an amazing job refinishing that. Now I'm going to be on a constant CL search.
I love it! I'm so impressed you did this while almost 9 months pregnant! How many hours did it take?
I agree with Bailey … how do you find the time?
Anyways, you have inspired me to search on craigs list more often.
You did such a great job! Love it! Can't wait to see your finished room.
I have never hear of Lonny before, I will have to go check it out. Thanks!
WHAT a transformation! And what an Eagle Eye you have for what-could-be! "See" you next week – unless Baby Girl decides to make her appearance! ;)
I can't believe you got that amazing piece for 60 bucks! Can't wait to see more pics!!!
That is fabulous! You are too much{esp. as you are 9 months pregnant!}. At the risk of sounding selfish, I do so hope you show the reveal before that precious baby girl comes.
When I turn on my computer and see that you've done a post it feels like Christmas. How do you luck out on finding such great stuff? Do you just make checking CL one of your daily chores or what? Great makeover…I'm drooling!
Love the makeover of your dresser! What a great piece to have in your home. All the best with the baby.
it looks gorgeous and i LOVE the green one in Lonny too. It took my breath away!! lol
Gorgeous!
It;s gorgeous!
I've seen these pieces around – I have one identical to Vanessa De Vargas. It was my bedroom furniture from 1977!! If I had the yellow/white combo and my brother had the blue/white ones. I'm pretty sure my Mom ordered them from the Montgomery Ward catalog.
Mine was the yellow/white combo and my brother's was blue/white. I picked mine up after college and years later we used it in my son's room – but now it's in my basement waiting to be refinished. Looking forward to seeing how your one turns out.
Darn, you are good! So inspiring.xo
I just wrote about campaign furniture on my blog too! I LOVE it and I think you're kind of to blame. LOL! I saw the BEST CL find a few months ago and I didn't jump on it fast enough. Ugh..that hurts!
great job!
Hmmm. I don't know if I really love it in that pale color against the pale walls- especially having seen the photos just before in black and bright.
This is just stunning! I am so jealous of all the amazing finds you have gotten.
This is gorgeous, thanks for sharing!
My motherly instincts were telling me the same thing, although they were wrong and thankfully so…
After I had Nina I read an article that babies who were born even 1 week premature were more likely to have respiratory illness than babies born on or after their due date.
PS-With the dressers you totally lucked out and I'm jealous!
My motherly instincts were telling me the same thing, although they were wrong and thankfully so…
After I had Nina I read an article that babies who were born even 1 week premature were more likely to have respiratory illness than babies born on or after their due date.
PS-With the dressers you totally lucked out and I'm jealous!
You have such a good eye…
I hope you have an easy delivery….
God Bless,
Kathy :)
LOVE your dresser. LOVE IT LOVE IT! oh i think you're soooo talented!! can't wait for next week and i hope you have an easy delivery :)
Jennica! I know im one of the millions but Im really happy I can follow your work and also the upcomings of your guy's sweet, new baby girl! I had no idea it was so close! Congratulations I love you so much, can't wait to see her:)
And I love all the things you are doing! Maybe someday when we have a dime to our name I could get some seriously needed help from you! ha Good luck next week! You'll be in our prayers!
New reader here! Enjoying your archives, loved the dresser makeover, and thanks for introducing me to Lonny and campaign style furniture.
Glimpsed a peek of that upholstered bed…can't wait to see the rest!
Good luck with your new arrival…I have three little girls as well :)
I snagged some nightstands two years ago off craigslist. $40! I love this stuff!!
Wow. I LOVE this look. Will be combing kraigslist…but it seems like you have the best finds all the time! You have such great taste! And how do you have the energy to do this all while you're baking a little bun in there?
Um, amazing?!
Neighbors of ours a few streets over have a pair of fantastic orange cabinets in this style that are just sitting in their garage. It kills me every time I drive by. One of these days I'm going to get up the nerve to knock and ask them to name their price.
What a great find! I am also loving that green in Lonny.
well then I feel even worse about myself!
Work from home India
Sand in between coats? And did you use your wipe-on stuff? How?! So?! Smooth?!
Blessings on the growing family!
Hallie.
i saw these green dressers in vanessa's excerpt in the find….the book. it is fantastic.
what an amazing job you did!
awesome! i thought i could only imagine that.