Fix up a trunk

Question

Hi there ... I recently purchased an old trunk, but it lacks a bit of character. I'm not convinced it is considered an antique as it has the brass looking edges to it.  Anyway, I would like to make it look a bit more 'antiquie' .. Any ideas?

PainterNoni · Answer

Use modern masters reactive metal paint...........rust, bronze, or aged copper......it's great stuff. You might also try using unicorn spit on the black parts......

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Here is what other homeowners did. www.hometalk.com/diy/basement/furniture/twice-upcycled-antique-trunk-9198770 and www.hometalk.com1834977/q-antique-trunk-coffee-table-with-anne-sloan-chalk=paint maybe this will help you.

Julie Arteaga · Answer

I bought a trunk just like that for my daughter, i gave her a bottle of modge podge and we went and picked scrap booking paper out and she cut it in different shapes and layered it

Valerie · Answer

Here is a selection of ideas for you: http://www.hometalk.com/b/1657702/suitcase-makeovers

Arlene Hume · Answer

I bought a similar trunk at a garage sale. I went to a local glass company & had them cut a piece of glass to just fit inside the brass fittings on the top. I display part of my collection of antique postcards underneath the glass in a pattern that I like. It's easy to clean the top without disturbing the postcards. I can change them out easily at any time. It fits right in with all my other antique decor.

Katherine · Answer

Trunks like these are still being sold to college students to double as a coffee table and storage. I had one exactly like yours that a friend gave me after his son graduated. I can't seen to find my pictures, but I painted it pink, put little ball feet on it that I also painted pink and stenciled some designs on the corners of the lid.

Kathy Bitzan · Answer

I really like the mod podge idea. napkins gift paper or books, my daughter wanted a blanket chest for her room and her hubby bought her one of these, she was really disappointed since she wanted one of wood like a lane chest. I might talk her out of the old one and redo it for her.... Love the looks after.

Sue longstreet · Answer

Remove the paint and then stain the trunk to look old

Christine King · Answer

I have a trunk just like it and I always wanted to cover it with crinkled up brown bags torn up in different sizes , the size of your hand or smaller, then you decopauge the pieces on the painted part and if you want you can finish off with a light touch of antiquing.  It looks like leather when done

Patti Paints · Answer

I would use a tube of “Rub ’n Buff”, find it at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. It comes in different colors like “antique gold”, 'antique silver”, and a few others. Put a small amount on a soft cloth and rub it over all the shiny brass to give it an aged burnished look. Change the color of your trunk with chalk paint, decoupage or stencil it. Lots of great ideas on Pinterest.

Fix up a trunk

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Fix up a trunk

Twice Re-Created Antique Trunk

Suggested Project Book