I’m still loving campaign furniture. I think it looks especially fresh in the kitchen (like in this CHH spread)! Christie had a local carpenter build a campaign style storage piece for her beautiful kitchen and I love the look.
I’m thinking of using my campaign chests together to replace my island (which is on it’s last leg – the drawers are getting really hard to use). I did some measuring last night and if I wanted to reuse my marble top, it would fit perfectly. I’m considering doing butcher block instead, but we’ll see.
To make the dressers counter height I was thinking about adding a row of drawers (salvage a third dresser with the same dimensions?) but I’m leaning toward building up the height with legs, like the island in this AMAZING kitchen below, though not quite as much leg, I only need about six inches.
Also, today on Babble, a round up of some of the most affordable furniture the interwebs have to offer!!
Katy – how funny! I ran across the brass plates/strips that you're talking about the last time I went to Blicks! They are definitely in the back of my mind as I come up with an approach!
The problem is there is already a sort of 'kick plate' area on the current dresser, so I can't really build on another panel section like that without throwing off the proportions. I think I really need to have open legs like the island in the last picture.
xx
MCHL: I'll email you if I decide to sell the marble top for sure!
S+S: No thoughts on the color yet. I like the dark blue a lot though and think it would look pretty with brass hardware too. But I might be ready for a change. I'm crazy, I know. I'm realizing that I use my house as more of a laboratory, I'm not really trying to finish it. :)
Dana, you said it! The island (dresser) we have right now has open legs and there are definitely dust bunnies waiting for me every time I sweep or vacuum! :)
You could build a base frame like a carpenter would when installing cabinets. Make the frame a tiny bit smaller so you have a toe-kick. Then you could cover the frame in brass, like the kitchen featured in house and home this month.
You can actually buy thin brass at school supply stores. It cuts easy and is easy to work with. Art teachers use it for tooling projects. I have a roll myself and I love the stuff.
I like the leg idea as well, but I am so in love with the afore metioned kitchen. She aso had Campaign style hardware.
I know you can "pull it off". Are you planning on using the shelves for open-shelving on the sides? Will you sell the marble? (I'm local).
Love this idea. I hope you stick with the midnight blue shade in your last island though. That was the perfect shade for your space. Cannot wait to see the end result!
http://www.sadieandstella.blogspot.com
I think you can definitely pull this off. The legs would make it look light and clean too! I can't wait to see what you do!
Love this! I think the legs will look fantastic! I have been scouring CL for months trying to find some campaign pieces. They are tough to come by in my neck of the woods! (FL)
I think it'll look amazing! Love the idea of repurposing those pieces back to back. Can't wait to see the finished project.
What a great idea, Jenny! I think campaign furniture rocks. Beware of the "dead" space if you add the legs, dust bunnies are the worst!
Katy – how funny! I ran across the brass plates/strips that you're talking about the last time I went to Blicks! They are definitely in the back of my mind as I come up with an approach!
The problem is there is already a sort of 'kick plate' area on the current dresser, so I can't really build on another panel section like that without throwing off the proportions. I think I really need to have open legs like the island in the last picture.
xx
MCHL: I'll email you if I decide to sell the marble top for sure!
S+S: No thoughts on the color yet. I like the dark blue a lot though and think it would look pretty with brass hardware too. But I might be ready for a change. I'm crazy, I know. I'm realizing that I use my house as more of a laboratory, I'm not really trying to finish it. :)
Dana, you said it! The island (dresser) we have right now has open legs and there are definitely dust bunnies waiting for me every time I sweep or vacuum! :)
Great idea. I think elevating with a frame vs. legs would be a better look. Are you going to paint them? Can't wait to see how it turns out.
You could totally pull it off, I love the idea!! I think the brass and the campaigner look in your kitchen would be perfect!!
Love it too and love the black walls. I'm on the fence whether to paint the walls in my living room black. It's a small cape cod and the room isn't so large…we'll see I guess. The image this kitchen was inspired by is the exact same image I have for my kitchen redesign…I'm trying to figure out how to make my own cabinets with brass campaign insert handles. Too much to do and too little time…
Hi Jenny,
I love reading your blog. Imagine how surprised I was to open it up today and see my kitchen front and center! How exciting! Thanks so much!
Christie
Check out Bill Ingram's kitchen from House Beautiful (pic from Nest Egg blog):
http://nestegg.typepad.com/nest-egg/2011/08/i-saw-this-kitchen-in-house-and-home-the-hardware-omg-the-chevron-floors-the-tile-around-the-fireplace-the-glossy-wh.html
Cool campaign feel there!
This will be amazing!
YES what a great idea! Do it…do it now!
Love this idea! It's going to look great. I like the idea of adding legs to it.
Love the idea.You really think the same way I do!
Go faor it I can already see it and it will look amazing! Plus you are repurposing and restyling.
L.
I love that idea!
Casters might give it some more height too — and make them flexible in the kitchen,
OOH Yes I would do the legs and reuse the marble top!! This will be fabulous!
Love this idea – never would have considered using campaign furnishings in the kitchen but it totally works.
love the idea of turning the campaign dressers into an island with a marble top. would you change the paint color? cant wait to see it all!
nice kitchen.. :)
http://lovesimplegreen.blogspot.com/
My new kitchen has a campaign island and I absolutely ADORE it so this idea of yours gets an enthusiastic two thumbs up from me and if your marble will fit, even better!!! I'd build a solid base if it needs to be raised- I think a campaign looks more authentic with a closed bottom.
I think two pieces is about my limit for campaign furniture, depending on how big your house is. I would really try to avoid putting in more than one piece per room.
Hope that helps!
i have a room full of real campaign dressers (1 tall 5-drawer and 2 shorter, wider 3-drawer), 2 nightstands (2-drawer)and a desk…trying to figure out what to do with them. they are all original dark wood, so i'm wanting to paint them. but what colors and where to use them throughout the house. is that just too much campaign???!!! help!
I think two pieces is about my limit for campaign furniture, depending on how big your house is. I would really try to avoid putting in more than one piece per room.
Hope that helps!
I was still busy being impressed with the island you made with the dresser and marble top – you are an absolute whirlwind to be changing it out already!!! I am sure whatever you decide will be fabulous. Looking forward to seeing it happen….