At an Estate sale just a few weeks ago we bought a trunk. It was really ugly, all the hardware was rusted and it smelled. I could tell it was old because it was wood. The same style trunk today is a thin press wood. The inside had been line with really ugly fabric. Everything at the sale was marked down to 75% off so I took a chance.
When we got home Greg put it in my studio and that is where it sat until just a few days ago. I started by ripping out the fabric on the inside. I got busy and left this project to finish up something else. Greg took over removing the fabric. He came to the last little bit of fabric on the lid and notice some writing. He slowly pulled off the fabric hoping it wouldn’t mess up what was there. It was a name PVT TW Dickerson. Greg called me outside to look at what he had found. I took pictures and went about my work. I started to wonder who is this young man, What branch did he service in and where is he now. I love a piece of furniture with a story even if I don’t know the whole story. I’ve put my detective on it (Ethel my bestie Karen) and she can find anybody, anywhere, any time. I left the name visible because it just seemed wrong to cover up it’s history.
When I bought the trunk it was painted this terrible bright yellow with an under paint of white. The inside was only painted white and lined with that ugly fabric that smelled, boy did it smell. A good primer will take care of that for sure. I loved the hardware all rusty and old with hints of many years of travel. I lightly sanded the hardware only showing the edges of the metal underneath. What color should it now be for the next few years. I decided on Annie Sloan “Duck Egg” on the outside and inside. After everything was painted I took it one step further with stencils and walnut stain. I sanded all the edges and then applied it all over the entire trunk to age it even more. Adding wheels to the bottom made it more versatile, not just any wheels but old brass covered wheels that had rusted and aged well. Love that it has new life to move on into the future. I love trunks at the end of the bed for extra storage. This trunk is large so it could be used as a coffee table or end table. The wheels make it a great toy box or dress up trunk. What ever it’s used for it will be a great addition to any home.
I do love this old trunk. I’m fascinated by the name and it’s age. I have all these questions and my curiosity just might get the best of me. If I know Karen she will have this puzzle solved in no time. Think about the history of who you are and where you come from. What kind of foot print have and will you leave on this earth. Make sure that people know about your family and stories that need to be carried on. Looks like this Friday is gonna be cloudy and a bit breezy but it’s still gonna be a Blue Happy day.
