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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What a gorgeous makeover for that old trunk! I’d love to see a full photo of the trunk with it’s new look. I pinned it to my “Spotted at the VIP board here – https://www.pinterest.com/knickoftime/spotted-at-the-vip-vintage-decor-repurposed-projec/
Angie it’s good to have you visit. Thanks for the Pin. I think I have a picture further up. Maybe I’ll take some more. I really wanted to show the details of the old look.
I love your trunk! Great idea with the book pages! You should share this over at my Making Broken Beautiful party! It runs every Thursday thru Sunday! I do hope you come and inspire!
Smiles!
Terry
http://thecuratorscollection.wordpress.com
Terry, thanks for the invite and the sweet comment. I’m on my way!
I love your trunk redo! The aged pages look great too. We have an old trunk…on the blog somewhere…that belonged to my hubby’s grandfather who was a merchant around 1900. It even has an old shipping tag. Love it for the stories. Sheila
Sheila I’m always happy when you visit. I have another one in my basement,an upright that I’m thinking of tackling next. And yes they do have stories to tell.
That’s indeed a very nice way to remember your mom. Beautiful set, Mary!
Have a fabulous day.
#tiptuesday
It’s funny how you start a project and you don’t know where you’ll end up. I’m as surprised as anyone as to how this project turned out and what I found in that old trunk.
Mary, thank you for stopping by my blog. I am your newest follower. This trunk and everything in it epitomizes what my sisters and I (Panoply) love and are all about. I look forward to getting better acquainted through your blog. Cheers!
Rita
Rita, it is an honor to have you visit. I greatly admire your work. Thank you for your sweet words. And yes, we wll be keeping in touch.
Love old trunks like that and wish I could make doilies with that amount of craftmanship……Thank you for sharing with us at #JoyHopeLive!
This one is very special indeed Mary, because of its’ lovely contents.
Mary, what a transformation on your trunk and what a lovely tribute to your Mother! Thank you for sharing with us @Vintage Charm!
Cecilia, I did not know where I would end up with this one till I started it and got about halfwaythrough. Tthen it hit me that it had to be about my mother.
Your trunk looks fantastic and I love the story behind it – Thanks for linking up to Pin Worthy Wednesday, I have pinned your post to the Pin Worthy Wednesday Pinterest Board.
Thanks Amber Jane for taking the time to read the story behind the trunk.
OMG! This is amazing! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Beautiful job!
Thanks Audra. I love it too, and am so excited that it is finally finished. Now I look at it and don’t see a black hole.
Mary, you did a fabulous job on this trunk. It looks wonderful. How great that it holds special meaning for you and now it fits right in with your decor! Pinned and Tweeted.
Beverly, this is my current favorite, plus it removed the eyesore from the room. Now it has become a jewel. Thanks for your sweet words.
How cool! We have that EXACT same trunk (the original version, of course) in our living room acting as a coffee table right now. It stores our blankets and it quite the center of activity! We got it from my husband’s grandmother 🙂
Carlee, I’ve had this trunk forever!! And I had little kids jumping on it and stomping on it. So it was time for a beauty make over.
I love what you did to update your trunk! The aged effect of the books themselves and the varnish you added are just perfect. Thanks for sharing the treasures from your mother – such a special way to remember her. Thanks for coming to share with us at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link. every week!
Jenny thanks for your sweet comment. The varnish made all the difference in the end. And of course I’ll be visiting the party!
I used to have an old trunk like this, I’m not sure where I got it, probably a garage sale. I used it for years, painted to match my bedroom and filled with linens and keepsakes. I don’t know why I sold it, at another garage sale, lol. I wish now I would have kept mine and I love what you did with yours! Preciously filled with family keepsakes. Love it!
Now, I’m wondering why I didn’t do this sooner. Everytime I walk into the living room and look at it I can’t believe what a difference a little paper can make. You should go to another garage sale and find another one!
Mary, what a difference! I love this look! Beautiful job! Thank you for linking up with Friday’s Furniture Fix this week! I hope you’ll join us again next week!.. Carrie
Thanks for the compliment Carrie. I was just wondering why I didn’t think of this sooner. I’ll see you on Friday.
What a great project and what a bonus what you found inside. You’re right if that doesn’t count as vintage, I don’t know what does! What a nice well travelled piece.
Sally @ Life Loving
#LifeLovingLinkie
Sally I feel so inspired now, I want to decoupage everything in sight!!
Oh wow! What a great makeover! You’re so creative, and the trunk looks great! Thanks for linking up at Submarine Sunday!!!
Thanks T’onna, I looks like I just bought it. Even thought it’s so old. Isn’t it funny how old is the new new and new is old, and now I’m confusing you.
I love the makeover. What a wonderful idea to use book pages, but what makes it even more special is the story behind the project from the book pages used to the treasure inside. I enjoyed every minute of it! Thank you for coming over and sharing it with us at Brag About It!
~Laurie
It was my pleasure Laurie. I’m so glad you enjoyed reading my story. It’s funny how these things take shape. At first I was just annoyed with the black box. Once I started to work on it my thoughts travelled and this is the result.
Your trunk is absolutely stunning! Absolutely love what you have done with it. Thanks so much for joining us at The Creative Circle link party and I look forward to seeing you again soon 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet words. I didn’t appreciate it until I upcycled it!
This chest is amazing!! Love the DIY 🙂
Brook <3
http://www.basicbrook.wordpress.com
Thanks Brook. I have to agree with you on this one. It is very special to me.
What a wonderful transformation! Thanks for sharing at #frifree4all
Thank you Hayley