A Metal Trunk Makeover with Vintage Book Pages
This makeover of a old metal covered trunk with vintage papers is a unique and beautiful upcycling project.
This old metal trunk makeover, using vintage papers and decoupage, transformed a neglected, unused pieced into a beautiful side table for the living room!
DIY Metal-Covered Trunk Makeover
This trunk is a much traveled trunk. It was born in New York many many years ago. And as time went on it moved to Greece.
It has held many pretty things. Things such as curtains and a multitude of fabrics, pillow cases and the like.
But it is mostly remembered for having held a thing once known as a dowry. Now if that concept is not vintage, well I don’t know what is. It held lace doilies and needlepoint works and other handmade objects that were made by my mother a life time ago.
The metal covered trunk was old and not in fashion any more. And in great need of some sort of repair, or at least camouflage.
So I embarked on this DIY old trunk makeover with a few supplies and a lot of imagination.
What I Used for This Metal Trunk Makeover:
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- Mod Podge Water based Sealer
- Scissors
- Retractable Utility Knife
- Book Pages from Old Book or you can use this
- Varnish to seal in the pages
For the longest time I did not know what to do with this old thing, till one day I chanced upon an equally old book, with old yellowed pages.
Now this could not be a coincidence, that a book of chivalry should cover a trunk full of things from days gone by when chivalry was still prevailent.
The How to:
Using Mod Podge decoupage medium, I placed the yellowed paper on all the surfaces of the trunk that did not have metal. I used a utility knife to cut around the metalwork.
But that was not enough. I wanted it to look still older, and so I painted it with a walnut tinted varnish. This was in Greece so I guess the closest you can get is this product. The best solution would be to find yellowed pages.
The handles were also brushed with the varnish. I really liked that patina on the metalwork.
And here it is with the varnish, it makes the pages look even older.
And now I’d like to show you just what I keep in that old chivalrous trunk of mine. These are my mother’s treasures, which she left to me 35 years ago when I lost her.
This is my way of honoring my mother, who was an exceptional lady. Only a chivalrous trunk can hold the treasures of a lady. My thanks to all of you for bearing with me today and taking a walk with me to my past.
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Love what you did with it! How cute! 🙂 I found an old trunk like that on the side of the road, but it was so damaged with water and age that I had to leave it. Sad!
Tania, I am so glad you visited. I have been an admirer of your blog for some time now. I really love your style and projects. I hope you are able to find another trunk to up cyle soon. This was such a fun project for me.
Mary, what a wonderful job you did with that trunk!! I love how it looks now, still looking old but with charm.
And your mother treasures are lovely, it takes a lot of work to make those doilies.
Pili, this post evolved. It started out with me wanting to save the trunk and then when I emptied it I realized there was a hidden treasure inside.
Oh Mary how beautiful, because of what you did with it and because of your memories about your beloved mom. And the doilies are so special and this way you can show them and see them every day! I have treasures from my mom and I love remembering her that way. Covering the trunk with those book pages is a fabulous idea! I would love a trunk, even thought right now I don’t have room for it.
Katrin, for years I had used it as a coffee table in the living room. I didn’t have a coffee table and that was the right size. So the y are very versitile. Thanks for your very touching comment.
Mary, I love this trunk!! Fantastic idea to cover it with book pages! Also those treasures your mother left you are beautiful! She did a wonderful job crocheting those doilies!! What amazing heirlooms to pass down.
Keri, she had tried to teach me how to make them when I was young , but it was very hard, I ony learned a bit, and now I don’t remember. At least I have the doilies.
Such a lovely story! I’ve always loved trunks like these. You did a wonderful job and its such a nice tribute to your mother
xokathleen
Thank you so much Kathleen. I had that trunk sitting in the living room half finished and it was glaring at me. Sometimes it’s hard to finish a project for no known reason. But I’m glad I finally got it done.
That is such a beautiful project, Mary. I wasn’t sure how you got the pages under the metal. Did you have to remove the metal fixtures first?
I’ve read about Mod Podge projects but I haven’t tried one myself yet but this is so inspiring.
And that last statement about the chivalrous trunk to hold a lady’s belongings. Love it!
Keep on sharing!
Thanks Karen. The paper is glued onto the trunk up to where the metal starts. I guess I did such a good job you couldn’t tell. 😉 It would be impossible to put the metal back on if I had removed it. It’s a pretty old trunk, and in danger of falling apart if tampered with too much. Thanks for stopping by, I’m always happy to hear from you.
The truck turned out so nice. Decoupage is such an interesting medium and adds an individual look to a piece, I enjoyed looking at the keepsakes. It is so special to have items that our parents made or had handed down to them.
Yes Debra it was a nice surprise for me because altho ught I knew \I had those doilies, I had never appreciated them. I think becoming a blogger had given me a whole new appreciation of old things. And of course she was very good at this.
Mary, a beautiful tribute to a wonderful Mum. What a gorgeous way to honor her memory. She’s be so proud. Sending hugs. Mimi xxx
Thanks Mimi. These doilies are just like her ethereal and delicate and a true lady. Thanks for dropping by, xoxo .
What a neat idea Mary! I love old trunks-they have such character and personality. The book pages add extra personality, and just seem to belong with this trunk, as if you bought it that way. How nice that you have something so special to remember your mother! Have a good week 🙂
Nicki, it had no personality or character before, although it did have its hidden treasures. It’s funny after I finished it and it had that nice antique look, even the things inside looked better.
I love what you did with the trunk Mary! I am very curious about the second language I see on your blog, tell me more?
Nicki, I am a Greek American. Born in Greece, then moved to New York as a child where I spent most of my life. If you’d like to know more about me go to my about page. I write in Greek because I have ladies that don’t speak English and so I need to keep my visitors happy. And I am not a fan of Google translate so I do it myself, not perfect mind you, but at least it’s me and not Google.
You know how much I love this trunk, thanks for sharing it at #2usestuesday so everybody can enjoy its transformation, and see your mother’s treasures. Crochet is an art, I can imagine the amount of hours it took her to make those.
Pili, the older I get the more my respect for her grows.
Thanks so much for stopping by!!
What a wonderful story about this wonderful heirloom and what a great transformation!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Debbie you are so immensely talented.. It is always a pleasure to have you drop by.
Very cool trunk, and I love seeing the heirlooms from your mother. They are beautiful. Thank you for sharing them.
Thanks Rebecca… Old is in!! I only wish I knew how to replicate her handiwork.
I love the new look of the old trunk. It is beautiful. It is a nice place to stow the treasures from your mom. The treasures are gorgeous. Good job!
xo Dianne
Thanks Dianne. Now that I fixed the trunk I can also show off the old treasures.
I really like your Mother’s crochet pieces and the trunk looks great
Thanks so much Janice. It needed a makeover desparately It was hiding in plain site before.
Μαίρη μου ,τι θησαυρός είναι αυτός ??? Το μπαούλο έγινε καταπληκτικό ,οι δε χειροποίητοι θησαυροί της μαμάς σου είναι ονειρεμένοι !! Θα χαίρεται η μανούλα σου που τα χρησιμοποιείς και τα αναδεικνύεις !
Ολυμπία μου, μακάρι να την είχα κοντά μου και ας μην τα είχα τα χειροποίητα. Την έχασα πολυ νέα. Αλλά τουλάχιστον έχω τις αναμνήσεις Να σε καλά με τα ωραία σου λόγια..
Mary this is beautiful!. I love old trunks and I really like what you did with it. It really suits it. And I especially love the treasures in your trunk! Thank you so much for leaving a lovely comment on my blog. Blessings, Diane
Thanks so much Diane. The old paper suits it perfectly and the varnish gave it a little more old age feel.
I absolutely love what you did with the trunk. I have a similar type of trunk – but never thought to do anything so creative with it!
Well I hope I’ve inspired you. It is not hard at all, you just need time and some patience. I t hink once I set my mind to it, it all went very quickly. And I did not expect it to turn out so well.
Mary, great idea to give your trunk a little lift! Fabulous. I love to keep things that have a family history but might need just a little facelift to work in my current surroundings.
Have a great day,
Lynn
Thanks so much Lynne. Yes, we do want to keep things, but also need to adapt them to fit our homes. Exactly, now it looks so much better in the living room , instead of just a black blob
Your trunk transformation is clever. What a blessed way to keep your mother close to your heart.
Debbie, I just saw your trunk. Wow! I love how you glamed it up! I guess there is a time for old and a time for glam!!