I love my campaign dresser. I do. I got it almost 6 years ago off of Craigslist sight unseen (well, there were pictures). This was JUST before a lot of big box stores started selling campaign dressers, so, used was really the only option.
I live in Manhattan. The seller did not live in Manhattan. I had to source someone who could pick it up in New Jersey and deliver it to my apartment. There are evidently truckers that do this type of thing if it’s on their route to make extra money. All this to say, while not exactly a saga, sourcing my dresser was a bit of a project.
Once it was mine, I had to dedicate basically my entire studio apartment at the time to the process of prepping and painting the dresser for the better part of a week. (Luckily I didn’t have a sofa yet, so, I had the space….first time with no roommates, and I was pumped despite needing basically everything besides a bed).
The good thing is, campaign dressers were really trendy 6 years ago (ok, maybe before then, and they were on their way out in 2015), and while they’re also classic, this is my own proof that if you love something that’s having a moment, you can (and should!) get it. It doesn’t bother me that they’re not quite as “in” as they were at the time, nor that they are sold mainly in the children’s section of furniture store these days.
If I were going to buy something now, this wouldn’t be what I would choose. I would probably go with something darker, or maybe a warm wood tone. My style has definitely evolved since I got it, but, I think this is a really good case study that if you really love something, you’ll make it work for the long-term. Don’t be afraid of trends if you really think hard about if you’d like something even if it wasn’t so ubiquitous. Barring a move where this won’t fit, the dresser is staying with me forever.*
I have debated painting it, maybe a warm taupe or greige, or, I could go dark and paint it an almost-black. But, ultimately, like my style has evolved over the past half-dozen years, so has my desire to live among drop-clothes for the next week. I’m lazy. It’s good enough. I recently touched up a few spots where it was worn, so it’s looking pretty good these days. For now, white it is.
*I am also very good at making definitive statements and completely contradicting myself shortly thereafter, so, if there is a post in 3 weeks about getting rid of my campaign dresser, this is your warning.