Hey guys! It’s Thrifty Style Team time hosted by Julie at Readhead Can Decorate! Thifty Style Team is the hottest group of DIY decor bloggers (no bias there, really! 😉 ) who get together once a month to bring you awesome DIY projects and decor inspiration that won’t break the bank!
My contribution this month is a vintage trunk I gave a makeover with chalk paint.
These types of trunks were popular in my late grandma’s day. She had 2 of them which I have now. They always have plenty of them at my local thrift store so they must of been quite a thing. I wonder what people bought them to use for, and why they had locks. Suitcases maybe?
They had them for $30 each at the thrift store which I thought was kinda pricey, especially since they had so many of them. Mine were free since I got them from my late grandma, but I’ve seen them at the flea markets for just a few bucks.
This is the trunk before I started the makeover. The lock was busted but I’m not planning on using it to store anything, let alone anything that I’d want to lock up.
All the supplies I used for this project is in the project supply list below.
Some of the links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. If you do purchase through one of my links, thank you so much for helping keep my blog content free for everyone to enjoy!
I did three coats of the Rust-Oleum Chalked paint in Linen White to cover the bright blue color and the bright brass hardware. They sure liked their bright colors and brass back in the day 🙂 I made sure to work the paint into every nook and cranny behind the brass hardware and trim to cover all the blue. I let each coat dry thoroughly before applying another.
Even after three coats of paint, I had to give a little extra love to some of the brass hardware to completely cover it.
After the paint was completely dry, I painted all the brass detail with Rust-Oleum Chalked Aged Glaze with a craft brush and wiped it off with a soft cloth until I got the effect I wanted. (You can skip this step if you like the trunk all white.) I use this technique instead of applying the glaze all over the entire piece and then wiping it off. It’s much easier for me to do it this way instead of fighting to get the glaze off of the areas where I don’t want it. Once the glaze was completely dry, I applied a coat of Rust-Oleum Chalked Protective Topcoat in Matte Clear.
Once it was completely dry, I put my trunk in front of our gas fireplace in our master bedroom. It’s the perfect spot for it as it fits nicely underneath the hearth.
I hope you enjoyed my vintage trunk makeover with chalk paint tutorial! Be sure to check out the rest of the fabulous projects below from the talented ladies that make up the Thrifty Style Team!
Redhead Can Decorate – Repurposed Vintage Clutch Purse
The Painted Hinge – Vintage Trunk Makeover with Chalk Paint
DIY Beautify – Easy and Thrifty Decor Ideas for a Spring Table
2 Bees In A Pod – Easy DIY Wood Bead Garland
Jennifer Rizzo – Shop Your House Living Room Makeover
Postcards From The Ridge – 13 Ideas for Thrifty Wall Art & Decor
The Creek Line House – Affordable Gold Kitchen Hardware Update
The How To Home – Easy No-Sew Drop Cloth Curtains
The Tattered Pew – Repurposed Vintage Magazine Rack Ideas
Sweet Pea – DIY Picture Frame Wreath
What Meegan Makes – Thrifty DIY Moss Candle Holders
Salvaged Living – Wooden Bowl Decor Ideas
Thanks so much for stopping by and happy painting!
You did a wonderful job making over this trunk. I also loved seeing your vintage milk cans. My dad was in the dairy business and I have dairy farmer family, so I especially loved seeing these cans. When my mom and dad met in the late 1960s, my dad had huge biceps and shoulders from lifting milk cans when he helped on the family farm.
Thanks so much Paula! I have several milk cans and love them all, but my favorite is the little short one in the picture 🙂 I can understand why your dad had huge biceps from picking them up… they’re heavy enough when they’re empty; I can only imagine how heavy they were when they’re full of milk!
Awesome transformation, Michelle! You created something beautiful for any style home.
Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks.
Thank you so much Meegan! 🙂
I do love what you’ve done with this trunk, however, I really don’t think these types of trunks are all that old. I remember my brother having one as a footlocker in his dorm, I had one for craft supplies when I was younger and newly married. We even bought one for our daughter once as an Easter basket with bedding inside as she was moving out for the first time. I’m in my late 60’s and I do remember my grandmothers and aunts had trunks but they were much more vintage than these. Anyway, I still have one of these in the attic and another much older one sitting in my living room that I may just give a go to and paint them since yours looks so pretty and much more vintage than the ones from the thrift shop.
Hi Shirley! I really don’t know when these were manufactured. Anything over 20+ years old is considered vintage, and I know my grandma had these in the 70’s because I remember her having them when I was a small child. If you give one of these a go, let me know how it turns out! Thanks! 🙂
I love this! I’m about to start on my own trunk and turn it into a coffee table! I have a 2 year old so chalk paint will be perfect for some easy living room fun!
Awesome! I’m happy this project inspired you! 🙂