Anyway, I woke up in that kind of mood. I looked around for something ugly that I could paint and my eye landed on this footlocker trunk sitting in my entryway.
Why did I buy an ugly trunk? I have no idea. I didn’t need one and wasn’t looking for one, but I bought one. The sad thing is, I didn’t just buy one ugly trunk – I bought two of them. I recall seeing them in a thrift store. They didn’t have prices on them, so out of curiosity, I asked the manager how much one was. I didn’t like the price he gave me, so I put it back down – after all, it was ugly and I didn’t need it anyway. As I did so, I noticed that the locking latch in the center was broken. Why I felt compelled to check both of the trunk’s latches, I’ll never know, but I discovered the latch on the other trunk was locked shut…with no key.
The manager was still standing there, so I said, “Did you realize one of these trunks has a broken lock and the other one is locked without a key?” He responded that he didn’t realize that, so if I wanted them, I could have them both for half of the price he’d just quoted me for one of them. That was all it took for me to decide I should buy two ugly trunks that I didn’t need.
I brought them home, and stacked them along a wall in my entryway, where they’ve remained for over a year. They sort of blended in with the color in that room, but I never intended to make them permanent decor in that room, because I never intended them anywhere at all – I just didn’t know where else to go with them.
Today was the day to paint away the ugly. I decided it would be more useful as a coffee or end-of-the-bed table, and fortunately, I had a set of little spindle legs in my workshop to complete the project. I wanted a primitive finish, so I brushed multiple coats of homemade chalk paint on it, in various directions, then did just a little distressing on the metal hardware.
Now that white paint has worked its miracle, I plan to use one of these trunks in my home, most likely in my bedroom once it gets remodeled, but this one is available in my shop HERE.
Blessings,
It looks fabulous now! I always see those trunks at garage sales and now I know what to do with them!
Jeanine
what size are the legs?? on the trunk i going to do the same with mind. thank elle
It looks great..
I too have seen these and thought..nope it’s ugly..but now I will buy it and paint it..
Thanks for the idea..
Now I will probably never see one..
LOL..
Have a great day..
I feel reassured. Sometimes I buy ugly things, too. I LOVE the trunk as a table – it turned out great. What a transformation!
Hi Angie … looks great painted. I can see it decorated with some of your beautiful maps or some other interesting graphic, but of course, just the white paint and the legs makes it look like like a different piece of furniture.
Thanks for sharing.
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
What a transformation…looks so much better! Love how Decor Steals used your stencil letters as inspiration today!
I like them both old (ugly) and white. did you ever get the locked one open? it could be stuffed with money. hahaha
Debbi
–yankeeburrowcreations
You certainly did paint the ugly away–it looks great now!
Looks so good. Would be nice for a coffee table now.
Seriously, this turned out to be a real beauty-your photos are always so artistic and enchanting!
Have a Happy Friday!
Jemma
cute in white. and love your banner. (loved the pitcher and lace before it too.)
wish I knew how to do those things.
blessings
barb
How stunning is that. You would never say it was once an ugly duckling:)
Wow… it looks amazing!! Love the legs too! 🙂
Love it. Hope you will join our party! http://www.thevintagefarmhouse.com/2013/04/creative-things-thursday-link-party.html
This is terrific! I love this so much! Great job! http://pinkgerberdaisies-kady.blogspot.com/
Thanks for sharing. Now I know what to do with both of my sons. I bought each of them one when they were in Boy Scouts. LOVE it
What did you use for homemade Chalk Paint??
I would like to see this with original brass hardware not painted over. I think it could give it a bit more character. Or even paint the hardware with a dark bronze color.