But we used it for years as our "dress-up" trunk at home then I took it to college and have used it as storage/coffee table ever since. I painted it brown when I left for school, just a flat brown and it still matched in our current living room. But I just wanted an update. So I felt like adding some legs would give it some great hight and help it feel more like a coffee table and fit our furniture better. And with my little baby Tepe being a white dog that sheds [boy does she shed!] the hair shows up every where and honestly I just wanted to make it a little less noticeable :)
Thats the gist behind the makeover...
I have tons of white paint laying around, well I did. Now I've used it for the studio and this I'm running low. But I didn't want to deal with spray paint, or sanding or anything. I just wanted to get this project done and watch my favorite crime solving shows all at the same time :) So I mixed up some home made chalk paint and set up in the living room with a drop cloth.
To make the chalk paint I used:
-3 spoonfuls of cornstarch
-1/4 cup of water
-1 3/4 cup of latex paint.
super simply and looks great :)
And to add the legs I got 4 short wooden legs from Lowes and 4 pronged T-nuts.I painted the trunk with two layers. Honestly I didn't do the best job, there are plenty of little drip spots that I didn't notice. I guess thats what I get for watching TV while working :)
After the paint dried I measured and marked where I would place the holes for the legs. Then drilled out the hole just large enough to tightly fit the t-nut. I then hammered the nut in place so the prongs held on to the meat of the trunk.
Once the nuts were secured in the trunk all I had to do was screw the legs on. They aren't the most sturdy legs, so you can't really move the trunk by pulling it. But now that I like it, It shouldn't have to move often!
I really love the new trunk.
The white just fits the room 100 times better, even though it does make the rug look a little dingy. But I knew I needed to figure out how to clean it sooner or later... I think the white just opens up the center of our little room. Doesn't seem so cluttered now :)
Quick and easy projects are the best. I know it isn't done to last forever, but I just needed something new. Luckily this trunk is something that if I decide to take the legs off all I have to do is unscrew them! And like always I can repaint if I decide to. Do you ever just randomly decide on quick little projects that make big statements?
Be sure to check out where I linked up! Party page on side bar >>>
This turned out so well! I love it. I've never heard of using corn starch to make chalk paint, so now I want to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteThanks Christina!! I'm not really sure how well it stands against the real deal chalk paint. But I didn't have to sand and it went on great! I'm planning to put a top coat of some kind just because this is a piece I know gets a lot of rough use on the edges. But I read a previous post about this recipe and they liked it so I figured I would try it sense I had it all on hand!
DeleteI love the new look! It definitely brightens up the space! I've been wanting to try out some homemade chalk paint, so I'll have to try your recipe. :)
ReplyDeletethanks Rachel!! I don't know if the recipe is as good as the real deal chalk paint (never used it) but its working pretty fab for now :)
DeleteThis is lovely! I think adding the feet was a marvelous idea! Thank so much for stopping by chapter37!
ReplyDeleteHaving it just a few inches above the floor makes a huge difference, i didn't think it would be so different but it really is. Thanks for coming over :)
DeleteLovely job, Gracie!! (of course!!) Thanks for sharing at Tickled Pink Times Two,
ReplyDeletexoxo
Thanks Meegan! So glad I finally had something worth sharing over at your fabulous party
DeleteOoooh with cornstarch?! I have never heard of that recipe before - so interesting! I love how fresh and new it feels lightened up! So thrilled you shared this at Work it Wednesday this week - hope to have you back again:)
ReplyDelete~Krista
thanks Krista!! I really like the new white too, and adding that height really makes a difference! The little space feels SO much more open. And I found the cornstarch recipe on a few different blogs. So far it seems to be holding up pretty well!
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