Help!!

Mary
by Mary
I found this gem on craigslist and would love all of your help in refinishing it! What would you do? I would like to turn it into a coffee table. suggestions? comments?! Thanks!
  23 answers
  • Deborah Stone Deborah Stone on Jul 09, 2013
    I've seen some trunks with short table legs attached, if I can find a pic I will post
  • Kimberly Barney Kimberly Barney on Jul 10, 2013
    Short legs and a glass top so you can put pictures or fabric under the glass depending on the season.
  • Shabby Paints Shabby Paints on Jul 10, 2013
    If you can Just clean it deodorize with an open bowl of vinegar inside. I did this one two days ago..love it. If you need a different color or look use chalk paint and try and save the stenciling by taping over or even using vaseline to keep paint from sticking to it..that is if it is your style. I personally love the old look as is but I paint most everything to look this way :) Here is the link to my how to but I think your trunk is taller so you might want to go with 4 inch legs depending on what you want. :) http://shabbypaints.com/suitcase-coffee-table/ What a great find..can't wait to see your after. ..Shannon
  • Mary Mary on Jul 10, 2013
    Where would i find legs for it? Also! how do i clean the outside? I've been using a copper scrub thing, no soap, to clean off the edges, which are brass. But what else can i use? i love the pictures above! Thanks, everyone, for your ideas!! Keep them coming!!
  • Junk Gypsee Junk Gypsee on Jul 10, 2013
    Shabby Paints!!! Awesome idea!! Love it! xoxo
  • Shabby Paints Shabby Paints on Jul 10, 2013
    I got the legs at Lowes. They are about 7.00 each and then the brackets are under 2.00 each. Make sure you get the straight ones. My trunk was falling apart and flaky, yours looks like solid wood or particle board? If so try a vinegar water mixture. I sealed mine with VAX(wax varnish type sealer) so no more would flake off. I left my edges aged looking. If you want the edges back to brass try a brass cleaner...here are few options: http://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/stories/how-to-clean-brass-naturally Tag me when you share :)
  • Z Z on Jul 10, 2013
    That's an awesome chest! Another idea for legs would be curtain rod finials as shown in the photo below of a project of mine. I bought them at Ls unfinished for about half of what legs would cost. I'd use Brasso, to polish the metal parts whether they are brass or not. They look more like nickel in the photos. As for the rest what about trying Dawn dish soap?
  • Junk Gypsee Junk Gypsee on Jul 10, 2013
    Oh Shabby..I've been wanting to try the Vax...Do you know if there is anyone near me to get it from?
  • Mary Mary on Jul 10, 2013
    Great ideas! i will try the all! Keep em coming! Thanks!
  • You can also check antique stores for table legs. I quite often see sets of legs in unique styles.
  • Decor 8 Decor 8 on Jul 10, 2013
    If you wanted to go for a more industrial look, you could put casters on the bottom instead of legs. That's a cool look, too.
  • Judy Judy on Jul 11, 2013
    Fabulous trunk! I saw a trunk with old doorknobs for legs. Also saw a trunk with a stand made of old pallets and reclaimed wood. The trunk just sat in the stand so that the trunk doesn't need to be drilled into so it can maintain its original integrity.
  • Kathy Kathy on Jul 11, 2013
    Years ago(Try 70"s) I painted a trunk like this White. Trim in gold, and then at that time, I found a spray paint that looks marbleing, (webbing) and I found in in a auto parts store.Now they have the Krylon that comes in Black. White, Silver and Gold and other colors,that looks like marbleing . I used the spray webbing on top, and the trunk came out beautiful. This technique is making a come back!
  • Kim Kim on Jul 11, 2013
    How about drilling a few holes in the bottom, filling it with potting soil and planting flowers in it? The open top will add interest to the arrangement. Coleus and dragon wing begonias would be gorgeous and could take sun or shade. Because it looks like military issue, you could also add an American flag. (Obviously, this isn't a coffee table solution--sorry!)
  • I think it is awesome the way it is. I would clean and disinfect. Then build a base with legs or casters, and put a glass top on it to protect it. The base would allow you to raise it up a little but this way you would not have to drill or disturb the trunk keeping it original. Good luck
  • Z Z on Jul 11, 2013
    VERY smart idea about the base @Lyman Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling!
  • Reba Callaway Reba Callaway on Jul 11, 2013
    Old military empty gun shells or cannon balls glued on would be different or fence post tops for legs. Or ...
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Jul 11, 2013
    For brass or copper cleaner try a paste of lemon juice and baking soda. Let it sit for a while and scrub. Then rise with clear water and dry with a cloth. My mother used this method 50 years ago and it still works.
  • Larose LoganOakes Larose LoganOakes on Jul 11, 2013
    Hello Mary! You might want to consider decoupage. Here is a pic of a lovely trunk.I also think that due to the weight of the trunk that you might want to think about putting casters on the bottom so you can move it around more easily.
  • Mary Mary on Jul 11, 2013
    Larose, I didn't get the picture. Please upload it again! :-)
  • Kate Kate on Jul 11, 2013
    I love it as it is!!! It has history written all over it! I feel if you paint it or whatever you would lose it's 'life'. :)
  • Nancy Martin Nancy Martin on Jul 14, 2013
    love these ideas! I have an old trunk from my grandpa who traveled back and forth from India and I didn't want to change the look since it has his name on it and traveling stickers. Now I have some ideas of what to do. Thanks!
  • Doris Meyer Doris Meyer on Jul 14, 2013
    I just wanted to add who has stale beer but then forgot the "Coors" people—yes I have had beer left at my place that no drank so did add it to the vegie garden