Painted Trunk
We saw this old trunk at a garage sale down the street from us. There was so much rust that it was starting to fleck off so I didn’t want it in the house with the kids. Painting it would seal all of the rust.
I almost forgot to take a ‘before’ photo when I started painting so these are the only shots I have of it. Please excuse the painter’s tape.
I just used whatever leftover latex paint I had in the house. I primed it first then added three coats of a light grey color, Stonington Grey by Benjamin Moore
I decided to leave the natural wood to give it some contrast. I had to decide on the top where to stop with the paint. You can see I painted some of the rusty ringes and stopped when I hit a natural curve in the design. I used a small painter’s brush for this detail {okay, really I just used my preschooler’s plastic paintbrush!}.
Painting this trunk four coats sealed in the rust! I was impressed! I decided to paint the hardware as they were beyond saving and they’re now smooth to the touch for my kids.
I have it stocked with old books. It’s a great storage place in our hallway.
Your trunk looks great.
I had a similar one that we sold when we downsized. I sometimes wish I still had it and especially when I see what a little paint might have done to improve it.
Thanks for your comment, I was surprised it turned out good at all!
Jamie
I loooove how this turned out!
So amazing! You see so many of these trunk makeovers, but yours is so unique and beautiful!
Thanks for your sweet comment 😉
Jamie
It looks fantastic lady! Great work!
Thanks so much! I’m your newest follower 😉
Jamie
Great way to rescue what surely was destined for the dump! Love that you kept the wood, it makes it very unique and pretty”’great job!
http://www.dimplesandpigtales.blogspot.com
Thanks so much, Amber!
Jamie
What a great find–it’s beautiful! I’m so glad you went back for it 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Leisa.
Jamie
What a beautiful makeover and a wonderful garage sale find! I love that you kept some of the natural wood peeking through.
Thanks Laurie! I’m your newest follower 😉
Jamie
Jamie, I love how this trunk came out. So beautiful. I’d love for you to link it up at my link party – http://www.findingsilverpennies.com/2013/02/silver-pennies-sundays-link-party_24.html
Thanks Danielle! I will definitely link up to your party this Sunday! Thanks for letting me know 😉
Jamie
OMGoodness…I LOVE it!!! The makeover looks GREAT and thank you for sharing it at my party.
Blessings,
Linda
Thanks Linda 😉
Jamie
You did a beautiful job on this trunk, Jamie! I like it with the wood unpainted too!
Thanks for sharing at my A New Creation link party!
Thanks Jessica 😉
Jamie
Looks great…what a cozy little spot you’ve created 🙂
Thanks Laurel! I’m your newest follower 😉
Jamie
Great find!! It looks absolutely beautiful now!
Jenna @ http://rainonatinroof.com
Thanks Jenna!!
Jamie
I think it looks GREAT with the wood tones to break up all that whiteness – especially since it looks like a big piece.
Thanks Beth!
Jamie
Kudos to your hubby for seeing some beauty in a dilapitated old trunk and you did a marvelous job of cosmetically bringing out her beauty. ☺ -Brenda-
Thanks for your comment and stopping by, Brenda!
Jamie
Really beautifully done. I wish I could do something like that.
Thanks Sam!
Jamie
I love how itbturned out too Jamie.
Thanks Carlene 😉
Jamie
Great job Jamie! I love the new colors. My parents collected trunks, now we do. I love them and think yours looks so good!
I’m looking forward to following you.
Have a great day.
Pam
Thanks for your sweet comment, Pam.
Jamie
Tengo uno parecido, pero es tan grande que todavía
no se que le voy hacer,me gusta.
♥♥♥
I love old trunks so your project definitely caught my eye! I never would have thought to leave the wood as is, but it is such a cool idea and your trunk looks fabulous! Pinning.
Have a great day!
Angela
Thanks so much Angela! Love your blog 😉
Jamie
I can’t believe that is the same trunk! You did a fantastic job! I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award. The details are in this post on my blog – http://newhousetohome.blogspot.com/2013/02/last-month-april-of-fabulous-blog-house.html
Thanks Cheryl! I’ll be sure to check it out!
Jamie
Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a painted trunk with wood. It looks fantastic. great makeover. Thanks for sharing, liz
Thanks Liz. I didn’t think it would turn out good but I like the wood too!
Jamie
Hello,
I just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for Liebster Award. Please check my post today.
http://www.curiositaellya.blogspot.com/2013/02/liebster-award.html
Thanks Ellya 😉 I love your blog!
Jamie
It looks just great! Thanks for sharing your creativity. Blessings, Patti@OldThingsNew
Thanks Patti. I’m your newest follower 😉
Jamie
Jamie, This is so pretty! Great job, so much better then that lovely green color!
I just started a new link party and would love for you to come over and share your post or any social media sites. Talkin’ About Thursday http://designeddecor.com/talkin-thursday-link-party-9/
DeDe@DesignedDecor
Thanks Dede! I’ll be sure to check it out 😉 Have a great week!
Jamie
I absolutely love this…so so pretty and can be used in so many rooms for many purposes. Great job!
Thanks so much!
Jamie
Amazing transformation! Please share your project at http://www.creativecraftsthursday.blogspot.com each and every week and check out what other creative divas are up to.
Thanks Jennifer! I’ll check it out! I’m following you now 😉
Jamie
so pretty painted. great job. I have that same pillow!
Laura@Top This Top That
Thanks Laura 😉 I love the pillow too!
Jamie
I nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award! To read all about it go here: http://www.rainonatinroof.com/2013/03/liebster-blog-award-again.html
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
Thanks so much Jenna! I’ll check it out now 😉
Jamie
It looks wonderful and I love that you left the wood unpainted. So pretty! Thanks so much for coming out to the party at Clean and Scentsible. I will be featuring this on Sunday. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Jenn 🙂
Wow, thanks Jenn!! That’s awesome!! You’ve made my day 😉
Jamie
bellissimo! brava!
Thank you Annalisa 😉
Jamie
You did a great job freshening the trunk and still keeping some of the rustic feel.
Thanks so much, Elizabeth!
Jamie
Love how that looks! I love old steamer trunks like that. The white contrasts nicely with the wood planks on it. Love the cute “To the Moon” pillow too. I’ve got one on order and waiting to get it! It’s good to see what it looks like in someone elses home.
Thanks Kelly! I just checked out your sweet blog. I’m your newest follower!
Jamie
I love what you did with your trunk. I have a huge one that I want to do something with soon. After the 47 other projects I’ve started. 😉
Looks wonderful! New follower.
Enjoy your evening!
Tina
Thanks for your comment, Tina. I’m following you back 😉
Jamie
I just love this. I would bet with blue it would look super in a playroom.
Thanks for stopping by, Pam! I think blue would look great too 😉
Jamie
What a fabulous trunk!! Love the color you chose. Wondering where you got your Love you to the Moon pillow?? Would love to get one too!
Thanks Sherry! You have such a sweet little blog! I live in Canada so I got the pillow at Chapters-Indigo. I bought it in store but I think you can purchase it online? http://www.chapters.indigo.ca
Have a great week,
Jamie
Jamie this trunk is amazing!! Such a good reminder to go back at the end of the day, sometimes the best deals are yet to be had. You are featured tonight on Pretty Things too 🙂
xoxo, Tanya
twelveOeight
Thanks again Tanya!!
Jamie
Jamie, it’s perfect! So nice of you to give this old trunk new life! Garage sales are the best! Thanks so much for linking up to Every Day is an Occasion! SMiles, Jill
Thanks so much Jill!
Jamie
So in love with this one! Thanks for taking the time to share this at Silver Pennies Sundays x
Thanks Danielle!
Jamie
I love this, Jamie! The white really brings out all the pretty details and leaving the natural wood keeps the cool aged look. I’m working on doing…something (??) with an antique steamer trunk I’ve had for several years. Wish me luck!
Jeanette @ Creating a Life
Thanks Jeanette! I’m sure the trunk you paint will look great! I’ll be looking for it:)
Jamie
I always adore the white / wood combo… what a great transformation of that trunk. I’m featuring it in the Power of Paint Party this week… thanks for linking up.
Wow! Thanks so much Maryann!!
Jamie
Oh, I wish I could find a trunk like this!! Yours is beautiful and definitely my style!! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing… I found you through the Everyday is an Occasion Linky Party and am happy to be your newest follower!! Hope you’ll come visit me too 🙂
BIG HUGS,
Amy 🙂 at http://www.lovetocrop.com
Thanks Amy!! I just visited your sweet blog and became your newest follower!
Jamie
Love the trunk white, great job!
Thanks so much!!
Jamie
What a great find! You did an amazing job bringing it back to life.
Thanks so much!
Jamie
what a great find! love how you painted it and left the wood bare.
catching you
gail
Thanks again Gail! I put a post on my FB page about you featuring me 😉
Have a great week!
Jamie
It looks great! I think I might have the SAME trunk! I use it as a coffee table in my living room.
-Revi
I LOVE trunks. I used to have another one I used as a coffee table too and I love that look. This one just had too much rust so I’m glad I painted it. Thanks for stopping by!
Jamie
Really funny. I also have this trunk, and I have totally let it go to waste in a closet. Thanks for the nudge.
Yes, go for it! It was honestly super easy. Good luck!
Jamie
Such a great site. Love the trunk. I seem be a collector of them, great for storage.
Thanks for stopping by, Ellen!
Jamie
HellO!!! Beautiful job on the trunk!!! I was wondering if you you used oil based paint or water based?? thanks so much,I have a few trunks waiting for makeovers and I love what you did.
Hi Melissa!
Thanks for stopping by! I just used paint that I had leftover from my house so it’s definitely latex. I did three coats though and the primer I used was Zinsser 1-2-3 so that really sealed all the rust.
Hugs,
Jamie
I really hate the Crayola ad. Very difficult to close. Won’t be back till it’s gone.
Oh no! Do you remember where it was located? I’ve been having difficulties with one in my footer. Was that the one? The actual ads change all the time so I’m not sure which one you are referring to. I didn’t put it there so I’m trying to change it. It should be resolved soon 😉
Hugs,
Jamie
I love this trunk so much that it inspired me to do something similar with my grandmother’s trunk…I used an off white paint and am debating whether to paint the hardware and metal as well or leave it as is. Thanks for the inspiration! Skooby45
So glad I inspired you, Stacey!
Hugs,
Jamie
I just stumbled across this post and LOVE the trunk. I have a fairly run down trunk that’s been sitting in the garage for 3 years (ugh wow, I didn’t realize how long until just now). I’m very curious what you did with the inside of the trunk? The main issue with my trunk is that the inside. Thanks for the inspiration, it may have kickstarted my project back to life!
I had a bobby pin in my hair today too, in the same exact place as yours, but in the midst of the rain, it shifted to the side and without me noticing when I got home half of my bangs were out of it. I cancelled my flight to the south of France 🙁 Have a good night! I love your home by the way!! Just beautiful!