Gooooooood morning and happy Monday! It’s an especially happy Monday around here because yesterday was my daughter’s 4th birthday and today is my birthday! Yep, yours truly is another year older. And another year wiser. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself. This past year has been the busiest and craziest year of my life, but it’s also been so, so good. God has blessed me beyond anything I deserve and I’m just grateful to be heading into another year with my health and sweet little wolf pack. I was planning to blog today about my goals for this coming year, but I honestly couldn’t wait to show you all the new vintage trunk I found recently so that’s what I’m going with today. I think you guys are really going to like it, plus I need your opinion on what I should do with it!
Isn’t she a beauty?! I found this at one of my favorite consignment shops and I almost didn’t even see it. It wasn’t until my fourth loop around the store until I finally spotted it. Do you ever do that? It seriously takes me multiple rounds of looking before I feel like I’ve seen everything. Especially at antique stores, it’s just so darn easy to miss something. Anyway, I was thrilled when I spotted this beauty. I’ve actually never seen a trunk like this–plus it has casters, which I LOVE.
So here’s my dilemma with this trunk–I can’t decide if I should paint it. Initially when I bought it I figured I would chalk paint it, because you guys know I like to paint everything, but then once I had it in our front room I was surprised to see how much I love it just as it is. What do you think? I could also sand it to lighten it up, because the wood is a bit dark now, but I just can’t decide.
You might have also noticed that I moved that light blue settee out of this room. I actually did a little switcheroo in here last weekend and brought up this Ikea loveseat from my office area in the basement. We really weren’t using down there, so I figured our front room might be a better spot for it. And I gotta say, I kinda love it here! Plus I swapped out my drop cloth curtains for these basic white curtains. I also moved my vintage card catalog out of here just because I was getting the itch to put it somewhere else. You know how that goes!
Well I’d love to hear what you think of the changes in this room and also get your input on what I should do with this vintage trunk! I’m really not sure what would be best. Paint it? Leave it? Sand it down? So many options. Either way I love it and I think it’s really unique. And I love using trunks like this for coffee tables or side tables, so I’m pretty jazzed about adding it to my collection of vintage furniture.
Sources: lace up ticking stripe pillows here // blue ticking stripe pillows from Marshalls // black antique mirror–similar here // jute rug from Pier 1 // armchairs here // lamps from Hobby Lobby // faux greenery from Marshalls // candles here
Here’s a few other vintage posts you might like:
Vintage Wooden Crate Side Table
Please don’t paint it white.
It’s a beauty. I won’t put a drop of paint on it. The details on the trunk it make it pop, and draws your eyes to it’s natural beauty. I think paint would make the details disappear. I’m so glad that I found your blog. I love the inspiration.
Leave it just like it is! Beautiful! Love all,of your painted furniture, but, like I always tell my sister in law, too much of a good thing is not a good thing. The color of the wood gives you contrast and makes everything else pop!
Do not paint it! The contrast it gives is needed in the room. Leave it as is.
Just stunning the way it is!!
Happy Birthday!!! Enjoy your day! I think the trunk is beautiful and I would leave it as is. Its a.great.contrast and focal point to your beautiful room! Have a blessed Birthday!
I love it as is….the warmth of the wood is beautiful with all the white! It’s a gorgeous piece!
I think it looks great the way it is with your other furniture. I also think the detail on it pops out with your gorgeous black screen door. It has that comfy “come in for a lemonade and stay for a while” look.
She’s a beauty exactly the way she is….. would not do anything
I think with all the white in the room it might look really pretty to either leave it or sand it to make it lighter – I always prefer to sand things down to their original shade of wood and then put clear coat it ☺️
I second this!!! It is beautiful!!
Happy Birthday first of all! Have you ever tried bleaching the wood? I haven’t ever done that, but have seen a few ladies do it on instagram and it gives it a great look. It fades the stain. Erin @cottenstem and Natalie @myvintageporch I believe.
Whatever you decide it is a gorgeous piece! Go with your gut, you have great taste!
I love how it ties into your hardwood floor. Great find…leave it as is!
Good Morning, That is a great find, love the room as it is now,would not paint it, at least not at this time.
The changes you make will be difficult to reverse,and it looks so nice,is a warm pop in an otherwise neutral rooms nice mix of warmth and cool tones.Then after a while, you can always paint it then, then you will feel like you have a new table again.
Good luck,Deanne
Good Monday morning Sarah I love all the changes. I to love to move things around. I think you should leave trunk as is. Love the contrast with all the lights. You can always change in the future!!!! lol The wood is beautiful! You styled it so pretty too! Have a great day! xoxo becky
I would NOT paint it! If you do want a softer look, I would seriously consider lightening the wood. That would soften it up, but retain its warmth. Good luck. I’m sure whatever you do, it will look great!
Happy Birthday Sarah!
I would use Old English oil, the one for light stains, and do a couple light coats and see what you think before doing any sanding or painting. But that is just mho.
I just got a vintage Lane chest looks Art Deco, and it looks great with just the old English oil.
Good luck!
What a beautiful trunk! I’d leave it as is! Brings a lot of Character and warmth to the room!
Good morning, Sarah. LOVE the chest! The carvings are beautiful!
I would only lighten the wood; but I’m sure you will make the right choice! The room looks spectacular as is. Let us know what you decide😉!
Happy Birthday Sarah🍰 Well I am going to be different. It is a beautiful piece…the wood is lovely. I think that you should lighen it up. When you look at yr place all I see is your table…you are distrated by it and that is all yr eye goes too. Live with it for awhile then decide what to do. I know whatever you do, it will be lovely.😊
Happy Birthday Sarah🍰 Well I am going to be different. It is a beautiful piece…the wood is lovely. I think that you should lighen it up. When you look at yr place all I see is your table…you are distrated by it and that is all yr eye goes too. Live with it for awhile then decide what to do. I know whatever you do, it will be lovely.😊
Happy birthday! Enjoy your day.
Love your room…leave the trunk as is. The details are amazing and the color adds warmth and character to space. Your room is so inviting.
Definitely wouldn’t paint it. But I would sand it down and light up the wood tone. It’s gorgeous!
I would leave it. I think its in beautiful condition and the wood pops in all the white.
It’s beautiful, but I agree that all you see now is the trunk, so I would definitely lighten the wood! And Happy Birthday!
I love it as is! It really looks great with all the white and the floors. May I ask where you got those plain white curtains?
Your chest is beautiful, as is the entire room. Formby’s Lemon Oil applied with a soft cloth will clean, refresh and moisturize the vintage wood.
I would not paint it or lighten it at all. It’s beautiful just as it. Don’t fix something that isn’t broken. I think you already knew that, or you wouldn’t have even asked us for our opinion.
Hi Sarah, love the truck but if you want to lighten just the top and bottom parts of the darker wood it would look a lot better to me. also later on if you want to paint some white just do the thick bottom part white and maybe just the top hope this helps
Good morning, Sarah! And Happy Birthday! I, too think the wood is beautiful with all of the white in the room. I love all the detail too. I would oil it or use scratch cover and leave it like it is. At the most, if you have to do something, sand lightly and put light natural finish on it. Love it, hope you have a great day!
I wouldn’t paint it!! Live with it for a while and see what you think. I would probably sand it some and put some kind of a soft finish on it. Beeswax is amazing so I would try that first.
Happy Birthday! Hope you have a great day.
Leave the trunk as is. It is beautiful!!
Happy Birthday Sarah! A beautiful find! I wouldn’t paint it. I agree with everyone’s opinion here. The details are what’s so beautiful and I also think they would be lost if you paint it white. I would maybe take a pic to a wood-working or hardware store and ask someone with experience how you could lighten it up and still preserve its look.
I always try to find someone with expertise to ask when I’m thinking of doing something new. 🙂
Happy birthday to you! LOVE the wood and would not paint it – looks stunning in the room the way it is! Have a blessed day…
Good morning – happy birthday. 🙂
Is it a “hope chest” – what’s it like inside?
Sheila
It’s beautiful but too yellow/orangey. I would try lightening it up to more natural raw wood or bleach it. That’s just me though.
Do what your heart tells you! After all it’s your trunk in your house! I’m sure whatever you decide would be lovely!
I forgot the more important thing I wanted to say. Happy birthday Sarah!!!
Happy Birthday!!!!
Please do not paint this trunk. It is amazing just the way it is. I also have trunks that I use for coffee tables and they are just a wonderful addition for storage or treasures!!!!! I too have plain white curtains and it makes the room brighter and more open. The love seat looks like it was made for that spot!!!!
I wanted to tell you I did recieve the chairs from Pier ! for my dining room, and I love them as much as I did when you made the purchase and put up pics!!!
Enjoy your very special day and Happy Birthday to little Allie girl!!!!!!!
Love your blog friend,
Tammy
It’s absolutely gorgeous just the way it is!
Happy Birthday! And congratulations on finding the gorgeous trunk! I love it, just the way it is. If it was mine, I would polish it with a clear polish and leave it like it is for a while. Like you, I believe paint is great, so I would probably eventually paint it and stencil it. Either was, it’s wonderful!
I would leave the trunk for now and change it later if you decide. Happy birthday🌻
What a beautiful find! Based upon my own personal experience, I would not paint it at this time. I have a coffee table “trunk” that is a little older than yours. I chalk painted it after 12 years…I cannot tell you how disappointed I was afterwards! The beautiful details on your trunk along with the stained finish make it “pop” in your lovely room. BTW, love your new curtains, they give a fresh and softer look to the room. Really looking good!
Good Morning and Happy Birthday to you! I don’t think you should paint it. I would use the cleaner/polish of your choice to bring out it’s full beauty. If you want to sand it first, that would be okay too, but not necessary. I love the wood piece in the room with all the white. Beautiful.
I love the trunk. Please don’t paint it. I think it’s a type of trunk known as a hope chest. They tended to be made from wood and more ornate than the everyday trunk. I’m sure you’ve heard of a hope chest, but just in case you haven’t: The hope chest is where moms and young ladies stored objects that the daughter would use in her new home when she married. 🙂 Happy birthday – late…
Hi Sarah, I just found your blog and have been really enjoying it! I totally get the fact that when something itches you just have to scratch it so the itch will go way. lol Change is always good. Your chest is a really beautiful find and it looks like it is hand made that’s why it is so unusually beautiful. If you like the color but want to tone it down a bit use a light white wash on it. Sometimes I just have to live with a piece for awhile before I really know what I want it to look like. Many of my finds have several coats of paint. The itch you know! lol I’m over at Anne’s Attic – design blog stop over and say hi. Have a lovely day!
xx Jo
Good Morning and Happy Birthday! I think you should try to lighten it first. It’s so beautiful, I wouldn’t paint it. Love your blog!
I love the contrast of the wood with all your white. I think I would leave it.
Wendy
The trunk is beautiful. I would not paint it, the room needs a functional piece to break up all the white. I would
definitely lighten it up to highlight your wicker pieces and the wood framed chair. Right now it is a little overwhelming
being that dark. I love the detail on the piece. Great find!
It is BEAUTIFUL just like it is, do NOT paint it!!
Happy Bithday Sarah!
I love the trunk just as it is!
Great contrast in your room!
Happy Birthday Sarah! Hope you have an amazing day!
The trunk is perfection just as is. It literally took my breath away when I scrolled down.
I just want to sit in that room and look at how beautiful it is!
Have a great day!
Happy Birthday!! Love it as is!!
Please leave it as is, or at the very most lighten it just a bit. While I realize that chalk paint is all the fad right now, painting beautiful vintage or antique furniture greatly reduces its value. The look as it is now, with that beautiful patina, adds warmth and importance to your room.
Leave it.
Happy birthday sweet Sarah, wishing you many many more to come. Love your new trunk. I agree with your readers, I don’t think I would paint it white, but I would lighten it up a bit. The room looks beautiful anyway you choose. Live with it a while then go with your gut. 🎂💐🎈 lots of hugs, Angela
Happy Birthday! I love reading your Blog and following you on Instagram, you a witty, talented lady. I also agree with the posts…it’s a fantastic piece and while it is in this room, I wouldn’t do anything other than trying the oil or possibly lightening the wood. It provides a beautiful contrast. Congrats on such a great treasure find 🙂
First of all Happy Birthday sweet friend!! My your day be filled with joy, happiness and love and as well for the coming year! I absolutely love, love, love the trunk! What a great find! I am torn between leaving it just as it is because it just pops in the room and on the other hand it will also look amazing chalk painted! Sorry I wasn’t that much help. What ever you decide and do I’m sure it will look beautiful! Enjoy your day and Happy Birthday again! -Debbie❤️🎂🎈🎂🎈🎂🎈
I think it is a very pretty piece! I think it would look really awesome if you sanded it down and lime washed it just so the indented parts and the corners show the white limed finish. Then finished it off with a coat of clear polyurethane. It is the best of both and lends a very vintage yet elegant look. It will marry your space! PS A very happy Birthday to you and your daughter!🎂🎶
Happy Birthday Sarah! I would leave it as is. Its beautiful and gives the room
a nice contrast. You’ve styled everything so nicely.
Happy birthday all the way from Australia! I would white wash it. This would still leave a contrast as all the indentations of the design would still be left as contrast.
Best wishes.
Happy birthday to you and your daughter! I would definitely not paint the chest! The beautiful warm color is such a nice contrast to the all the white and it ties in so nicely with other elements in your room like the floors and terra cotta pieces. I like to spruce up stained wood pieces with Howard’s Furniture refinisher (comes in different shades) followed up with Howard’s feed and wax. You can lighten the look of it by adding a fabric table runner and perhaps a larger tray on top to tone down the brown, but I would definitely not paint it, because it would be a lot of work to go back to the stained wood look if you changed your mind or didn’t like it. At the very least, live with it for awhile before deciding. I’m a firm believer that neutral spaces need warm woods and textures to keep them from looking too sterile. It’s a beautiful piece! I have a large trunk my grandfather made and it’s in my son’s room because it ties in nicely with the vintage travel theme. I use it to store my more fragile Christmas decorations, and of course, I have cool stuff displayed on top of it, including old suitcases and a globe.
Happy Birthday!
I agree with others don’t paint it! It’s absolutely beautiful the way it is!
Happy Birthday, Sarah!! Your trunk is just gorgeous! I think it looks beautiful surrounded by your other white furniture. I would not paint it. You don’t want to loose those beautiful details. Your room looks very inviting. Keep up the good work 🙂
Happy Birthday! Please do NOT paint that trunk! It looks great in your room as a contrast! Enjoy your day with your family!
I love everything you do. I don’t know how you keep your house so clean with three children. I love your pops of black/very sophisticated. I love the warmth of your beautiful new trunk. I would leave it just as it is. It has so many pretty details.
It is perfect just as it is, a beautiful addition to the room.
Looks beautiful in your room, don’t paint it,
Hi and Happy Birthday. I agree, don’t paint it. I love to chalk paint pieces myself, and like you can’t decide sometimes to paint or not to paint. The wood really pops with all of the white in the room. It showcases the beauty of the chest. What a find, love it. Anyway that’s just my opinion. Have a great day. Tammy
Sarah, I love it just as it is. I love how it so nicely compliments the white in your room. I would definitely live with it for a while…my guess is you will end up loving it just as it is ❤️
Leave it as is. It is beautiful!
I’m inclined to go with the lightening/bleaching but NOT painting . I love the look of wood that looks like it has been bleached by the sun -there are lots of tutorials, videos and post on Pintrest. The trunk does have a little orange look now so I would at least sand it -I did that with an old Lane cedar chest and it turned out beautiful.-Happy Birthday🎂!!
Leave it! It’s beautiful as it is. ❤️ ❤️❤️It!
My first thought was to sand it down to the natural wood, or paint it. However… the detail on this piece is amazing!! Then I got to thinking that painting or sanding might lessen the integrity of the woodwork, maybe? Then, boom! I noticed your flooring! Keep it the way it is! It looks like it was built just for your beautiful home!! I love the changes you have made, and the new curtains make that lovely space look so quaint and fresh! Of course, your taste is so spectacular whatever you do would look splendid!
Happy Birthday! 🎁
I’d leave the trunk as is, the contrast is so pretty. I always like wood colors mixed in with neutrals. Great find! 😁
Please, please don’t paint it. I’ve never seen such a beautiful trunk. It is a jewel as it is.
I really would paint it or lighten up I know that’s different from most the readers but it is to much of a contrast to me. I love your work and style and I think you will decide it needs something. Happy birthday 🎉🎂🎈
Don’t paint it, but I would sand it a bit and then put a nice oil on it to bring out the detail. Your room looks lovely!
I would leave it as is, but I’m sure whatever you choose will look great!
I wouldn’t paint it but rather try to lighten it. The details on the sides are pretty amazing.
Love the changes! I think the trunk would look beautiful with everything sanded down besides the carved inlay. Then just leave it natural wood!
Happy belated birthday, Sarah! I love the room you have created! My volte is to keep the natural wood on the piece you just bought. It really provides warmth against the white. The decorative carving on it makes me think of it being a young woman’s hope chest. I can just envision her filling it with handmade items she would bring to her marriage. It’s beautiful!
I would sand it down and do a bleaching technique to take the orange out of the wood. Love it!
She’s a beauty! Love the warmth she brings to your white. I’d leave it as is.
Don’t paint it!! I would like to think it has a magical story behind it and the family that owned it before was an incredible family with lots of memories and love. It looks beautiful the way it is and adds a special element to your room. Continue to love it the way it was probably loved in the past!! 😁
Wonderful transformation and I love it! Thanks for sharing this amazing post.
Beautiful dont paint , leave as is. Your room is gorgeous.
I love the chest in its natural state. It contrasts nicely with your other pieces. You mentioned that your loveseat was from
Ikea. Is it the Ektorp or some other item? The reason I ask is because the seat cushions look so full. Usually the seat cushions are not that full. Did you enhance them in any way? or is this just another model?
It looks so beautiful just as it is. I wouldn’t change it at all. The details are gorgeous, and it is so nice in your room just as it is. The colors in the room go just perfectly with it, and I think the trunk is simply beautiful.
Hi Sarah. Happy Belated Birthday to you. 🎂 I love the trunk just as is and wouldn’t paint it at all. It looks perfect. I am addicted to drop cloth curtains but do like your change up to the white ones 😀
Love the chest as is but here is an idea if you wonder what sanding and oiling would do. Test a small area on the bottom of the chest, maybe at an edge that won’t ever show. Then you can make an informed decision. I wouldn’t paint it though.
Really amazing post. Love the idea behind this post. Your post amazing and Helpful my business. I will try to implement your idea to design such a beautiful coffee table.
Everything you do is so lovely. Would you share where you found your white curtains? I tried the drop cloth curtains but just have not been able to pull it off so need to go the store bought look. Cannot find any that are simple but still look chic. Keep up the inspiration!
Hi Sarah
Have been looking for a comfy loveseat for my office and love yours… do you recall where you purchased?