Sunday, October 18, 2009

antique trunk redo

I've had this old trunk for years. I MEAN YEARS! I have ALWAYS loved antiques. Knowing that, hubby found this at an antique store the first year we were married and gave it to me for our 1st Christmas. I've used it in many rooms and many ways over the years, but for a number of recent years it has been stored in the attic. Lately, I was inspired to get it down and paint it to be used in our master bedroom.

I had ivory paint left from another project so instead of buying more I added a little taupe colored paint from the little craft paint jars that you can buy at Michaels or JoAnn's (you know what I mean) to my ivory paint till I got the color I wanted. It actually shows up a little "whiter" in this photo than it really is.
What'd you say? Yes, you're right - next I must do something about that blue lining!!

After that coat dried, I brushed a medium stain on the whole trunk - metal, wood and hardware. Meanwhile hubby is standing behind me saying, "Do you know what you're doing?" And I'm saying, "Not really. I'm just having fun with it!" Which, of course, made him feel really confident.....NOT!

Then I took a soft cloth (old t-shirt works well) and wiped it down.

You can see how bright gold the hardware was before...uh...not working for me.

This is how it looked after toning down with stain and a little metallic copper mixed with black and gold paint.
I rubbed some of the paint and stain of the hardware off so that some of the blue from before came through since my goal was not to make it look any newer. I'm excited to say since I used paints that I already had, I didn't spend one new dime on this project.
And here it is in our bedroom. I'm liking it! I might could have stained the oak slats a little darker to match my bed, but, hey, I think it will grow on me and the next project's awaiting me!

I'm sharing this project with Met. Monday, and DIY Day.

46 comments:

Beverly said...

Very nice. What a pretty bedroom!

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

What a wonderful transformation, although I have to say I liked blue too :)

Hugs,
Marsha

Debra@CommonGround said...

This is absolutely gorgeous, I too, liked the blue "before", but I love the cream even more, and your bedroom is wonderful! Love the rug!
Debra

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I love it. The color and all the finish is just perfect. It looks wonderful at the foot of the bed. Beautiful. Hugs, Marty

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Wow Marsha!!! I am loving your trunk! You did a WONDERFUL job!!! I think you need to go tell hubby that you knew "exactly" what you were doing, you are a pro!!! I wish I had your guts to start a project like that. I'd be so sad if I messed it up.
I just love this Marsha!!!!
everything vintage

Blondie's Journal said...

I hope hubby gave you an apology for any doubts he had! The trunk is beautiful and looks great at the end of your bed. Great idea and inspiration, Marsha!!

xoxo
Jane

Glenda/MidSouth said...

You did a great job! Pretty room. I have an old trunk - still wood finish. Someone lined the inside with a fabric I don't care for, but since I would not know how to redo it, I just keep it closed. :)

Deanna said...

you have done a great job!
I enjoyed seeing how pretty yours turned out.
Very inspiring.
God Bless,
d

Kammy said...

Wow, such a beauty ! Looks great in your room too !
Kammy

CIELO said...

You've been invited! Come celebrate your home with us in "Show off your cottage Monday"!

cielo

The Stylish House said...

Marsha,
When I saw the first photo I thought the trunk looks pretty good as it is, but I understand about needing a change. However, when I saw what you did with it my socks were blown off! I love how this turned out!!! It looks chic French now and very high end, fabulous job!
Cathy

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Marsha, I wish you were here to help me with one of my paint projects! What a transformation!

Happy Met Monday...

XO,

Sheila :-)

the Schmidts said...

Looks great! I adore antiques too... I can imagine getting this very thing for Christmas. And how nice at the foot of your bed now! I love it!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

The trunk looks perfect in your bedroom! You did a wonderful job giving it a whole new look and I bet it will be handy storage now.

Thanks for your nice comment on my blog..I really appreciate it! :-)

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

I LOVE YOUR BEDROOM! Wow! I love the colors, it is gorgeous. You did such a great job on the trunk and it looks perfect there!
Blessings,
Debbie

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Wow! It looks so pretty, and how great that your husband gave it to you on your first Christmas together. And I'm just thinking of all of that wonderful storage at the foot of your bed. laurie

Ebie said...

It is soooo beautiful! The colors complement with the theme of the bedroom. Congratulations for a job well done!

Anonymous said...

What a great job you have made with the trunk, but I too like it blue. Great bedroom, love the big bed.
Jackie,

Unknown said...

I came from Pat's place..that is a beautiful trunk and in an even more beautiful room, tks for sharing :P

Rebekah@Red's Nest said...

It turned out really good. I love the color and the color of your room. Thanks for sharing.

Ashley @ AshleysBusy said...

It's gorgeous! It really complements your bedding nicely.

Amy said...

Matches your bedroom perfectly. Absolutely....lovely!

Phyllis @Around the House said...

Your trunk turned out so beautiful, you should be so proud you are using something you created. love it

Shayna @ Texas Monkey said...

Gorgeous room, and lovely trunk, I love your colors in your room.

Moore Minutes said...

This is a gorgeous trunk!! You did an amazing job. What a treasure.

Happy Met Monday!
http://www.mooreminutes.com/2009/10/walls-wrapped-in-charm.html

Sandra said...

Oh I love the transformation on the trunk!
Blessings,
Sandra

Mary Bergfeld said...

You've done an amazing job. This is a gorgeous trunk.

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

That looks fabulous! I wish I could find a trunk like that!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

This is beautiful Marsha! I love the color. Great redo!

Signing Out said...

Wow, Marsha, that trunk looks gorgeous! You did a fantastic job redoing it.

Jane

Donna said...

I love the trunk. I have an old trunk that was my grandmother's that is in my basement. I painted it years ago and got tired of it and stored it away. You have inspired me to revamp it!
Thanks for sharing!

Natasha in Oz said...

That would have taken me weeks to finish, no months...no YEARS! what a stunning transformation. Love the rug in the bedroom too!!Best wishes, NM.

Inspired Comblogulations said...

Marsha,
Yhank you for stopping by and joining the blog... I like your blog and decided to follow along as well and put you on my blog list as I know my readers will enjoy you...off to look at more of your post... thank you again.
Lee

Sarah @ Hennessey House said...

wowza. you did an exceptional job!

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

Oh my goodness! I LOVE it. And I'm loving your entire bedroom. Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous.

Miss Mustard Seed said...

Gorgeous work and I love your story about the process. I often hear, "do you know what you're doing?" as well. I can't believe I wasn't one of your followers already. I remedied that right now.

Karen The Graphics Fairy said...

Hi Marsha,
This is such a fabulous transformation!! It goes so beautifully with your bedroom now. It has the look of a very high end piece. You did an amazing job! Your bedroom is gorgeous too. We must have the same taste, as the walls in my Master bedroom are the same color!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a sweet comment.

Karen The Graphics Fairy said...

Hi Marsha,
This is such a fabulous transformation!! It goes so beautifully with your bedroom now. It has the look of a very high end piece. You did an amazing job! Your bedroom is gorgeous too. We must have the same taste, as the walls in my Master bedroom are the same color!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a sweet comment.

Karen The Graphics Fairy said...

Sorry for the double comment, my screen jammed up on me and I hit the button twice to try to get it going again. Arrrggh!

Mandy said...

Looks VERY pretty - you did a great job!

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

I have a trunk exactly like yours!! It was my Grandmother's. She kept her scrap fabric in there and when I was a little girl, I would get fabric scraps out of there to make dollclothes. Your trunk turned out great!! Love & blessings from NC!

Delightful Dwelling said...

Wow it looks awesome. Your bedroom is gorgeous, I love the colors.

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Wow, very gorgeous! Looks perfect you did an amazing job!
Enjoy your day,
Elizabeth

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Fantastic. I have a very old one also...it is all dark, which is fine, but I would love to stain it to brighten it a bit!

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

It's perfect!!!!

Kathy said...

Well I must say that I like either version of your antique trunk. I love trunks also. I have 3 of them stashed away in the bedrooms. A long time ago, I painted one of them blue. The other 2 are in their original state.