Trunk Love

 

Happy Valentine's Day!  Nothing says love like an old beat up trunk, right?

 

 

I have painted many metal trunks and in all shapes and sizes, but never one quite this large!  This one intimidated me and I can't tell you how many times I tried to donate it or pass it off on someone else!  My husband, the one who complains about all of my "junk" in the garage was the one who kept encouraging me not to give up on it! 

 

 

It was in rough shape, and honestly it still is!  But rather than worry about restoring it (I wouldn't know where to start!), I decided to embrace it's rustic charm and focus on bringing out all of the lovely details.

 

 

I painted the entire piece with two coats of Chalk Paint Decorative Paint® by Annie Sloan in Paris Grey and accented the wood slats with Old Ochre and metal hardware in Old White.

 

 

I also did a little random dry brushing with Old Ochre here and there to add to the rough patina.

 

 

Perhaps the most hindering part of the makeover was the trunk's interior.  I should have gotten a before photo.  At some point someone had lined the inside with a 1950's looking golf themed contact paper!  It wasn't attractive, it wasn't removable and it had a bad odor!  I applied a heavy coat of Kilz primer to remove the smell.  After allowing it to dry completely and air out a bit, I grabbed a stack of book pages and a bottle of Modge Podge and went to work!

 

 

If you look closely, you will see that these pages all came from various Jane Austen novels!  Perfectly romantic for a Valentine's Day post, right?

 

Well, technically it was a Text book, and I aged the pages with coffee...so there's no need to call the Jane Austen Novel Preservation Society on me!

 

 

I borrowed my scrapbook paper heart garland from the fireplace mantel for photos this morning.  I have been enjoying it so much that i think it might have to stay out a while longer.

 

 

It's still an old, beat up trunk but with a new look and without the bad smell!  I hope someone falls in love and gives it a good home.  It's headed to my shop space this week.

 

I am looking forward to a fun Valentine's Day party at school with my 1st grader this afternoon and then a nice quiet evening at home with my honey!

 

I hope your day is filled with love!  Thank you so much for your sweet visit!  Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Best Wishes and Blessings,

Amanda

 

Sharing this post with these fun link parties:

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Home

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed