Junk in the Trunk

Okay...I lied just a little bit, there is no junk in this trunk.  When I found it, there was a lot of junk ON the trunk, but nothing really inside (except an old, musty smell and a few cobwebs).  I immediately saw that this baby had potential!!!  I HAD to have it!

I am a little bit ashamed to tell you this, but I practically stole this from a sweet, old man at my favorite antique store (the store was discussed in a previous blog entry:  Click here to learn more!).  The price said $50, and without ANY negotiation, the old man told me that I could have the trunk for only $12.00!!!!  After several more hugs and attempted kisses, I brought it home (the trunk, not the old man).  I used heavy-duty cleaners and a lot of elbow grease to give it the scrub down that it needed.

I liked the trunk the way that it was and debated about whether or not to paint it.  The original, unusual details were great...just not Dumped and Discovered great!  I felt that it needed a little makeover...something slightly different....something more versatile...something YELLOW!!!!

When I started this project, I wasn't sure whether or not I was going to distress the final product.  For all you do-it-yourselfers, you should always prep a lighter colored piece with a darker color that you would like to show through if you plan on distressing.  So just in case, I started with red.  I know...the next picture looks like a crime scene.

After the red dried (all you need is ONE coat), I painted the whole trunk - hardware and all - a beautiful yellow. 

When I finished with the yellow (it only took two coats), I liked the trunk so much that I decided not to distress it!  Of course if it gets a little banged up in the future, I won't be too upset!  Trunks are fantastic because they can be used as coffee tables, end tables, hiding places for kids, or as a great focal point in any room.

Happy Junkin' (in the trunk)!

Sarah