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| Please ignore the faded cushions, the old curtains from my first apartment, and the floors that desperately need refinishing. And the wrinkled slipcovers. At least they're clean. |
Alex and I bought this trunk on one of our first roadtrips together. It was our first "real" antique. We currently use it as a coffee table in our living room. Furniture placement is a little tricky in there since we have five doorways leading into/out of the room. To be quite honest I've always been pretty content with how it's looked in the room. It added a bit of warmth and texture. But then. But then. But theeeeeeen I read two different posts from two different bloggers about how they magically transformed their antique trunks by painting them. And now I am obsessed with the idea of painting mine. I am so in love with these two photos that I have honestly and truly looked at them every single day since I came across them.
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| I am in l-o-v-e with this. |
The above photo is from the blog: Freckled Laundry
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| Also in l-o-v-e with this. |
The above photo is from the blog: Life in the Fun Lane
Except I think my husband would seriously kill me if I painted ours. He would say something like, "Not everything has to be white, Sarah." Oh, but it does. It does!!! Maybe I could justify it by telling him that it was already painted before. If you look closely you can see where it used to be painted a deep, brick red colour. Red does not go with anything in our house. But white does. If you look closely you'll see scratches on the front of it too (from the dogs playfighting). Another very good reason for a coat or two of paint.
I'm having a crisis of the heart. I really, really, really want to paint it.
My other option is to purchase a trunk that I found on kijiiji and paint it white (see picture below). That's if it's still available.
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| For sale on Kijiiji right now. Let's pretend it's not on someone's creepy unmade bed. |
So, what do you think?
Should I........ leave it?
Should I........ go for it and paint it white/grey?
Should I........ buy the kijiiji trunk and paint it instead?
P.S. I ♥love♥ hearing all of your opinions and ideas.
P.S. I ♥love♥ hearing all of your opinions and ideas.
Maybe you could white wash it. That way it's white but the wood still shows through. It would be a compromise. Or you could just tell hubby to mind his own business, ha ha. Just kidding!
ReplyDeleteLisa, I really like your way of thinking. I may just have to wait until he's out of town and then paint it "by accident."
ReplyDeleteHee hee hee!
If you must paint, go for the Kijiji one - yours looks just lovely, and just seems a bit too nice to paint. The trunks in the other pics looks like they started out quite rough or plain, so paint was the answer...for those ones. (I also do kinda like the contrast of yours with all the other white pieces in the room...but again, the Kijiji one in white would likely look quite nice as well).
ReplyDeletei'd hate to see that great warmth painted but i bet it would be pretty painted, it just puts off so much warmth
ReplyDeleteWhat's better than one trunk?
ReplyDelete.
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Two trunks! Buy the other one and paint it and then you have two options. You can keep the other one at the end of the bed or near an entrance as a bench/storage.
I would have to agree with Joy! I love love love the trunk in your living room. Buy the Kijiji one and paint it that way you can switch it out in the living room for a change and put the other one in your spare room or the baby's room.
ReplyDeletepaint it! I think that second photo is so your style! ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree. Buy the second and go to town painting it! Yours is very nice as is :0
ReplyDeleteI'd keep as is. I normally LOVE painted furniture of all kinds, but not of the wood is THAT beautiful. Find an ugly truck to paint, LOL.
ReplyDeleteOooh, tough one. I vote leave yours as is, and buy the one you found, or another one like it, and paint that one. Your trunk is beautiful, I love the dove-tailed joints!
ReplyDeletei agree with cathy- buy the other and paint it, but don't paint this one... you will lose that fab dovetailing. and i love the rich honey pine color it has right now. but the other, paint it and the hardware on it, give it a good distressing, and then change them out as your moods change!
ReplyDeleteWhatever you decide it will be perfect!
ReplyDeletewell............ we love to see you post and don't want the hubby to do you any harm(and keep u from posting). tee hee.
ReplyDeletei say buy the other one and paint it. the two pics you posted?? i love the first. it is more of a whitewash( so you can see the writing thru the paint). i think you should do yours( the one you buy) like that one
I'm agreeing with all who say don't paint. I love the dove tailing and would hate to see that hidden. Try waxing it to bring some sheen but not too shiny. Looks to be a great tone for what I can tell.
ReplyDeleteNobody paints more furniture white then moi!
ReplyDeleteBUT...in this case...with the dovetale joints and all...You'd be decreasing the value on this beauty big time.
Paint another piece for your table...In years to come you'll be glad you waited.
Love your blog by the way...we have lots in common!
xoxo~Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...
This is a tough one... hmmm. I think if the one on the creepy unmade bed is available, and not expensive. Get that one paint it and put it in the room. It's a win /win for you and the hubs.
ReplyDeleteKeep us posed on this big decision!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin
I agree with the 2-trunk method!!! yours is gorgeous, I just painted my old (and rather rustic one) and it is ok, but yours is a beaut! It warms up the room, but if you want more white, you could add an area rug under it. I think trunks are like shoes, more is better!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the one we have just like it is, not everything needs to be white, and it is a nice contrast to all the other white stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'm only the husband (oh ya that guy) but my preference is that you buy the kijiji one and paint it.
I'm happy you like my trunk, Sarah! Thanks so much for sharing it. I debated for days whether or not to paint it so understand your dilemma! I love your trunk just as it is but if you were to paint it, I think the creamy white trunk w/stenciling is the better option for your piece with your existing decor. I think it would look beautiful & would certainly pop against those hardwoods. I also like the kijiji trunk and agree with the ladies above...you could buy that one and paint it, keeping the other as is if hubby will spazz. :) But, it's your trunk so do whatever your heart wants. I'm sure it will be beautiful if you opt for paint and is beautiful without.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
{Hugs}
Jami
I love all things painted! My first question would be ... how much is the trunk on Kijiji? If the price is good then go for it!
ReplyDeleteI love the way the trunks look painted. I think you should paint it :)
ReplyDeletedeezie
I would leave it as is! This trunk adds so much warmth and coziness to your living room. Go ahead and buy the other trunk, which is also lovely, if you want to paint something.
ReplyDeletePaint it! What the heck, go for it :)
ReplyDeleteThis is my 1st visit to you blog, and it's lovely! I would leave the trunk, I like the contrast with the couch, you may want to think about a sisal carpet under it. Also, check out this blog http://acountryfarmhouse.blogspot.com/ she decorates with a lot of white, I think you like it! If you'd like to "visit" me in New England I love company and new Followers are very exciting!
ReplyDeleteNO - DO NOT PAINT THAT TRUNK! I mean really, isn't painted furniture just a fad now? EVERYONE is painting furniture and it's getting old and boring. Every blog I turn to has furniture redone with paint - blue paint, black paint, white paint, gilded paint, paint shmaint. Maybe if the wood was really bad and ugly but that trunk looks great and has enough character as is. Find something else to paint that's not as nice if you must paint.
ReplyDeleteI say it something like this -- "Chip, remember when you said you thought the trunk would look nice painted...well..." He's convinced he has memory issues!
ReplyDeleteI too love painted furniture, but...your trunk is a beauty just the way it is!
ReplyDeleteI love everything painted white, but not this trunk! Buy another one and paint it white! I have been seeing all over blog land, natural wood mixed in with white! You have the perfect combo going!
ReplyDeletePaint it white!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Alex, it looks beautiful the way it is, you have many white pieces in this space including the side table. It's nice to have contrast with the wood coloring of the chest and by not over-doing the white accents. DON'T PAINT IT:)
ReplyDeleteI love the way the trunks look painted. I think you should paint it :)
ReplyDeletedeezie
I love the one we have just like it is, not everything needs to be white, and it is a nice contrast to all the other white stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'm only the husband (oh ya that guy) but my preference is that you buy the kijiji one and paint it.
well............ we love to see you post and don't want the hubby to do you any harm(and keep u from posting). tee hee.
ReplyDeletei say buy the other one and paint it. the two pics you posted?? i love the first. it is more of a whitewash( so you can see the writing thru the paint). i think you should do yours( the one you buy) like that one
I think if you have a lot of white and neutral colors, you need that touch of warm wood tones to give some contrast.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right. :)
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