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Friday, July 2, 2010

Romancing a Vintage Trunk

Trunk finished in vanilla and pearl whites.












I found an old trunk while on a
 recent junking trip in New Hampshire.
It was oversized, had nice hardware,
and was a complete wreck.
That was the exciting part, because it gave me
permission to have at it!
I decided I was going to paint it, line it with fabric and use it to
 store fabric remnants that have accumulated in my office.
The interior had old peeling wallpaper.
The sides were metal with wood strapping with really pretty hardware.

My dad was visiting us and was totally intrigued with my project.
He repaired the damaged metal sides by
 reattaching them with brads,
 and fixed the hinge which was broken,
while I scraped off loose wallpaper.
I applied Bin sealer primer to the entire trunk,
inside and out after a quick sanding and rub down.
The next day  it went out onto the lawn
and got a spray coating
of Rustoleum Antique White.
I didn't spray the inside because I had plans to cover it.
I was very excited about the creamy vanilla color.
The downside is how long Rustoleum takes to dry.
The following day I started to tackle the inside.
I am lining the lid with a frenchy looking
petite floral stripe in an antique pink.
Mod podge was the method I used,
and this was a first for me using it.
I will not be using it again..
I think I will stick with Elmers glue.
My 8 yearold step-son was my photographer.
My hands were covered with this gluey substance.
Rolls of precut fabric strips in romantic florals
were from Joanne Fabrics.
I decided to do a crisscross pattern overlay
 on top of the stripe.
Then I applied modpodge all over that. 
 
A selection of scrapbooking paper was what I planned to use for the sides.
I ran out of Mod Podge,
and since I was in the boondocks,
I decided to use Elmers Glue since there
were no craft stores nearby.
It seemed just like Mod Podge
and it ended up working out fine.
I lined the sides with the striped fabric and Elmers.
I made a patchwork out of the decorative papers
for the front and back interiors.
A blue faded toile was applied to the bottom.
A pink drapery trim for some detail was applied
with hot glue along the patchwork joint.

Isn't it pretty?
This beautiful blue glass jar filled with old buttons was picked up
that day when I went out for the Emers.
 I wanted to add buttons to the crisscross areas of patchwork.
However my big thrill was getting
the container that held the buttons.
My little helper and I got them and
some other treasures at this cool antique place.
But I digress...
which happens alot in New Hampshire whilst on vacation...
I doubled up a white button with a pale lavendar button
and hot glued them at each criss cross.
Something seemed missing to me.
The inside was full of charm and the outside seemed so plain.
I had a quart of Ben Moore Metallic Glaze in  Pearlescent White.
I decided that the strapping and hardware would get a coat!

Read: totally winging it again!
I am applying this while watching Venus Williams lose her Wimbledon match.
The pearlized straps and hardware look so pretty!
Kind of ethereal in a way.
My mother in law thinks it looks like a wedding trunk.
I can't wait to bring this home to Boston and put it in my office! 
I  am going to keep the lid open
and have it filled with my fabric samples and remnants.

Look below to see it's new home in my office.




40 comments:

  1. Oh, how lovely! You did a wonderful job on your redo! Love it!

    Sherry @ A Happy Valentine

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  2. I love it! You did a wonderful job! take care, Maryann

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  3. My goodness!! What a fantastic job you did on the trunk makeover!!
    It is just gorgeous!!!

    Debbie

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  4. That trunk is huge, isn't it Amy! Great find and great makeover! Happy 4th to you and yours!

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  5. I popped in from Brenda's blog, and I love what you did on this trunk! Super cute!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  6. what a neat idea to put fabric on the inside!

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  7. Hi Amy! Brenda sent me over to welcome you! I love antique hunting and junking in New Hampshire. My mother-in-law has a summer place on Mirror Lake and we always go scouting around for treasures when we visit. I love what you did to restore that trunk. It's so charming now!! I am your newest follower. Stop by for a visit when you can.

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  8. Hi Amy..
    I too have popped in from visiting Brenda..
    love the trunk..
    Fabulous!!!
    like your style..
    am now a follower!
    warm sandy hugs..
    Loui♥

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  9. You did a wonderful job on the trunk. I love how you used the paper. My parents use to have a trunk like that, I don't know what ever happened to it. I would sure love to have it back.

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  10. Amy, This just turned out too cute! I love the pearlized paint. The way you criss crossed the inside and finished with the buttons is precious! That trunk is bigger than I thought. I just love it! The antique store looks like a fun place to visit!

    Have a happy fourth of July!

    Nancy

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  11. обалдеть!!как шикарно!!!

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  12. Luuuuurve it!
    Was so excited to see this project because I have a similar one :D I've been trying to figure out what to do with the inside and I love, love, love your idea. Hope you don't mind me using it!

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  13. That is gorgeous! I really like the pearlized paint on the straps.

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  14. Oh my gosh.. this is simply lovely... I'm here from Funky Junk Interiors...

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  15. What a great job you did on the trunk! You can never have too much storage for fabric! Been looking around your blog...your window treatments are beautiful! We have a lot in common! I'll be back!

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  16. Hi, Amy! I looked for an email address or link, thinking my question might be better addressed that way than in a comment, but here goes: We have my husband's grandmother's old trunk which I need to redo. However, the inside reeks with a strong, musty odor that we've done almost everything we can think of to remove. I've been told that the only way to remove all the odor is to steam and remove the paper lining the inside. Did your trunk have an odor and did painting the inside remove it? After reading your post, I realized that I hadn't thought about painting the inside with Kilz or another primer/sealer. Any advice you have will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

    Sherry in Little Rock
    sherryef (at) swbell (dot) net

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  17. Oh my word.. this is so beautiful! Not only do I adore the entire piece in white, the inside is such a heavenly surprise. LOVE it!

    Donna

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  18. I have an old trunk that's beyond restoration and I haven't been able to figure out what I wanna do with it, but this is very inspirational!

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  19. Sherry, I used the sealer inside and outside with Bin. It did have an odor and that's one reason I sealed it. It eliminated the odor! If you then followed up with a coat of paint that would help as well. I just used the glue and papers and fabrics inside. Have fun!

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  20. Oh I REALLY adore this project. It is going into my style file for sure!

    Happy 4th of July!

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  21. I shall never look at another old trunk the same way again! I love this!

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  22. Oh! So! Pretty! I really like it!

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  23. It's beautiful! I love it.

    great job.
    gail

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  24. This is so INSPIRING. I have my own trunk now and am going to paint it the same way. All the details are gorgeous!

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  25. Yes, that is so pretty!! I can't believe the inside, I love it! Nice job. Debbie

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  26. What a lot of work but it sure paid off. Thanks for stopping by Southern Comfort in a Northern Life. I love black and I have it in every room in my house except the guest room & the master. I love black furniture but it is hard to keep clean:)

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  27. Oh my gosh! This is amazing -- the inside is incredible! You did a seriously fabulous job!!

    Your projects are wonderful! (I've been snooping around here for a while) :)

    Thanks so much for stopping by and the follow -- can't wait to get to know you!! :)

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  28. What a beautiful transformation... well worth the effort. The pearlescent glaze you applied to the hardware was a brilliant choice. I am so glad I participated in Metamorphosis Monday for the first time today because that is how I discovered your blog... which I am loving!

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  29. Thanks so much for stopping by & leaving your sweet comment! This trunk is beautiful. Love what you did with it and I'm loving your blog...following you now! Time to snoop around some more...

    Jami

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  30. Very nice indeed! I think I will use your technique to line the drawers in a desk I picked up today. Keep up the good work.

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  31. How lovely! You really did a wonderful job...I love how you put so much into the inside, and added all the little touches with trim and buttons.
    LOVE it!!
    Debbie@houseatthelake

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  32. Dear Amy,
    you did a wonderful job, your trunk looks gorgeous!

    If you will ever find another one please send me an email ! I live in Germany and would love to have one for my husband.

    Have a sunny week !
    Eve

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  33. wow, what a labour of love and so much fun too! I am only just finding all the grand places to find treasure here in Arizona, looking forward to being able to get my hands dirty on a new project soon.

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  34. The trunk turned out beautifully! You turned the junk trunk into a real treasure. It will be a pleasure to view and use. Kudos!

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  35. WOW! I just love what you did with that trunk. From the decoupaged inside with buttons to the addition of the pearlescent glaze. It does look like a wedding trunk, but goes so well in your office, too. Thanks for linking to Project Diaries!
    XOXO,
    Christa

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  36. Beautiful job.
    I had to laugh cuz I live in NH and I have two old trunks and my mom has 2 more in her basement.
    Kathy

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  37. Love it!! The spray paint worked? I was thinking you would have to roll or brush... I always mess up and get drip marks. I think I try to cover too much in one coat. Your trunk tired out AMAZING!

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  38. Your trunk is gorgeous and looks like a lot of work to get it that way, but it is so pretty. Thanks for sharing how you "refinished" it. Love the color.

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  39. I literally have the exact same chest. It isn't lined with wallpaper, that was the original lining from manufacture. It originally had a shelf type box inside that was lined with the same paper. I'm planning a re-do of mine as well.

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