Tuesday, October 12, 2010

New Coffee... Trunk?

We've been without a coffee table for some time in the family room. It was by choice, toys tend to dominate in here these days, so less furniture meant less cluttered looking. But I was hearing complaints from Sean that he needed somewhere to set a drink (aka rest his feet on) while hanging out.
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I was in no rush to just "fill" the spot... but hadn't really thought outside the box (excuse the pun!). I had an antique blanket chest I won at an auction sitting in the garage, when I decided to slap some paint on it and throw Wren's toys inside!
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So I did just that, slapped some grey paint on and carted it inside.
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I debated putting some new leather straps where there were previously handles, but preferred the clean lines without.
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I also wanted to put a "treasure" stamp on the chest, but in the end decided to go with the more subtle "Supplies" label.
Photobucket It was in pretty rough shape initially, so I wanted to do only minimal distressing, mainly just to let some underlying white paint peek through. This lets the dents and dings blend in, but add a little interest at the same time.
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Not sure I will be allowing drinks anywhere near my new coffee-trunk though!
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48 comments:

Melanie Beth said...

Really cute... I love this idea! I could see it being nice to have a place to store blankets or something... or in my case as well, the toys that are always everywhere!

Emily@TheWickerHouse said...

I Want it! It's really cute. I think the "supplies" makes it even cooler. "Treasure" would have worked too.

The Midwest Cottage said...

Holly, every time I visit your blog I am impressed. I just love your work. I have been swamped with work projects but have been wanting to do a trunk for my living room since my son's first birthday. I'd like to use mine as a coffee table/toy box so I can throw his stuff in it when someone rings the doorbell. Once again, thank you for sharing!

Pudel-design said...

That`s a cute one:)

Amber's Notebook said...

OMG SO cute! I adore trunks!


Do you watch american pickers by chance? I always think of you when i watch that show.

Dancing Sweet Pea said...

Looks great! I love how it's not a conventional coffee table and looks just as good if not better than one!

white flower farmhouse said...

your creativity never ceases to amaze me - LOVE IT! Lori

Shannon said...

It looks great, love the Supplies stamping you added to it :)

Beth R said...

Love it! What exactly are those animal thingies though? I love them, just curious what they are. I feel like I'm out of the loop.

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

absolutely perfect!

Posh House Originals said...

I love that!! What a versatile piece.

Posh House Originals said...

I love that!! What a versatile piece.

Anna K said...

It looks fabulous, just as your projects always do.

Throw some castors/wheels on it (make sure they are locking ones) and it will be really easy to move out of the way when the little one needs more room to play.

Anonymous said...

It turned out really pretty. I like it. I also like that it's not a "normal" coffee table. You did a great job thinking outside the box (:

Valerie@chateaualamode.typepad.com said...

LOVE the coffee trunk. How great is it that it also doubles as a toy bin!

Kacey said...

What a neat idea! It's perfect for the space.

Katherine @ Grass Stains said...

Oh gosh. I love the trunk but I'm totally freaked out by the decapitated animal heads! Good job on everything but that! ;)

MadameMim said...

Love this. I'll never cease to be amazed at what a coat of white paint will do.

FYI...for some reason, your pics haven't shown up on google reader for the last few posts. Don't know if it's my computer, something you've changed, or what, but it just started this morning or yesterday...not a bad thing I guess as it's been making me click on your page and leave comments! :)

kathie said...

It is a perfect piece there! You just have the touch... the magic touch!

Unknown said...

Thanks everyone! I promise, no need to worry about any furry animals being harmed in this photo. The creepy little heads are actually candles shaped like a bunny and dog. Found on clearance at Anthro last winter and thought they were fun, particularly for fall~

As for google reader, I haven't been doing anything different with the photos so I wish I could help. But I always suggest clearing your cookies, that may have something to do with why it worked before, but not now.
I suck at technology though, so my regrets!!!

designchic said...

The perfect touch to your room...fantastic!!

Cassie Stocker said...

It turned out really great. I love the look of your living room!

Miss Money said...

LOVE IT! Perfect detail! We have a beat up old trunk on wheels as our coffee table.


So does Wren know where all of her 'supplies' are hidden? How long until she throws the lid open and animal heads are rolling on your pretty floors? ;)

Stephanie said...

Waiting paid off! You have storage and style at the same time. I guess you might have to invest in some coasters though...

Allison said...

That is the perfect coffee table/trunk for your room. I love that! Very clever.

Kristi~The Slipcover Girl said...

beautiful as usual!

Modern Cottage Living said...

Very cute and the letters are the crown jewel on the beauty. Now you'll just have to make some coasters for your guys' bevies or "feet" that is. ;)

Katherine @ Grass Stains said...

I was kidding about the animal heads. I knew you weren't going around chopping them off or anything!

Erin Southwell said...

genius!!! beautiful AND its toy storage!

Andy said...

I have a steamer trunk I just moved inside for the same purpose. Though I'm worried about tiny fingers getting slammed in it with toys.

Rebecca said...

You are brilliant!!!! I LOVE the stenciled 'supplies' sign on the chest! Such a functional and stylish coffee table! Can't wait for Palm Springs!!! yahooo!

Katie said...

Beautiful!!!

Shelly said...

I can't completely tell but it looks like you have glass on the top. If you're looking for something so the glass doesn't scratch the wood we took a cork from a wine bottle and cut it up in 1/2" pieces as coaster like pieces that go under the glass on all corners. Looks great and works like a charm!

Amanda said...

in my free moments from my hectic, turned upside down life right now, i check in on your lovely blog because it's sure to make me smile. it has been working. :) the trunk is so lovely i can't gush about it enough. and perfect for quickly tidying up those BIG messes our littlest loves make. ;)

jodi @ back40life said...

gorgeous - love it!

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

This is fabulous! Talk about turning it into a real treause! Have a great Thursday!
Kristin :)

Nikki@KreativeKnack said...

I ♥ this! Uhhh and your floors! Oooh I also want you to know that I given you and award!

http://www.kreativeknack.com/2010/10/starting-is-hardest-part.html

Have a Great Day!
Nikki

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

Love it--so much better in white.

Kirsten @ Triple Max Tons said...

This looks like a million bucks - the transformative powers of white paint never ceases to amaze me!
-Kirsten
http://triplemaxtons.blogspot.com/

Mimi said...

It looks fantastic. Once again you have done a gorgeous job!
Mimi x

Flourishing Networks said...

I do love this.. my mum gave me a box simular and looking forward to doing it up. It will go in the kids room however I do like the coffee table idea?

gretchen said...

I would let him put his feet and drinks and whatever on the trunk...it just adds to the charm and makes it yours!

Unknown said...

This is beautiful!

Hugs,
Jami

Unknown said...

I absolutely love it!!!

Ticking and Toile said...

Wow very cool! Need to find me one of those....love your blog.

Miss G said...

It looks really great. I do know that some chests have been recalled because little ones can inadvertantly get locked or trapped inside. Don't know how yours is made. Just wanted to let you know so you can be aware. Kelly

Anonymous said...

Your home is GORGEOUS, but how on earth are you able to live with so much white with a child?! That would be my dream.

Unknown said...

Beautiful!! I also love the white with the dark floors so elegant!
Donna
www.alterinterior.com

 
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