So many wood bits of our house were just sloppily painted over by the previous owners in an attempt to make the photos look better for sale- window sills, frames were painted shut. All the lovely wooden door were painted in multiple layers of thick paint. We have used some citrus strip but the nooks and crannies are so tough- thinking of trying a heat gun. Your trunks look lovely with all the elbow grease you put into them!
"There's inevitably a part of every project where it looks like a disaster and you doubt yourself" is so helpful to hear from someone much more experienced. I only just started sewing (made my first skirt this weekend) and I totally had that moment! It's nice to hear that other people have that moment too.
I really love how you respect the history of the object and think about the ethics of working on objects of considerable age. I feel like far too often vintage/antique pieces get abused to fit into someone's aesthetic. Appreciating actual craftsmanship and functional objects that have stood the test of time is wonderful!
I’m glad you left the ending in. 😂 I have an ancient, beat all to pieces, trunk in the basement. It was my step fathers who passed away almost 30 years ago so I don’t have its history. I didn’t think there was anything I could do for it but I am now inspired to put it on the potential projects for the future list! 😅 I look forward to Friday mornings and your always interesting, inspiring and fun content. Safe travels! ❤️🙏🏻❤️
It is YOUR inspiring and fearless videos like this that nudged me to fix my favorite blanket so it could go through the washing machine and be put back on the bed. I felt the project was hopeless for over TEN years, but I thought I could handsew the repairs since putting it under a presser foot would be a huge hassle, and it is almost finished! I'm really uplifted and I might add, rather proud too lol Thank You Shannon!!
The cedar planks were brilliant! I use old trunks to store holiday decor. That way there’s no hauling anything up into an attic etc. The lovely trunk is on display year round.
Next time you have to strip furniture brush the orange stripper on very thickly and then cover it with cling wrap. Let it sit for 30 minutes and it will just scrape off with no effort. I love that you restored these trunks and did such a great job!
No one else can make 3 year old paint scrapping footage survivable ❤😜 bag lining the second trunk with repro fabric was genius and that pressed tin on the first one was so so pretty once oiled, definitely worth all the hours scrapping at it
Growing up my parents restored well over 20 trucks. We had curved tops, flat tops, cloth trunks that looked like they belonged in a safari tent and a Victoria closet trunk that stood on its side open with drawers and hangers. We used them for everything and every room had at least one. We used it as our coffee table, tv stand, cd storage, blanket and toy storage and as seating. It was a big deal to get to choose our own trunk, the colors, fabrics and shape to put in our own room. My dad made cedar trays to fit inside. The one I chose is huge…I can fit inside it. I love when other people get interested in trunks!
We have quite a few family trunks, most of which were stored in the "barn" (enclosed, but not climate controlled). One had fabric items stored in it that weren't touched for somewhere between 50-80 years. The nice fabrics (quilts and such) were wrapped in white "scrap" fabric before storage, so nothing to be saved touched the wood itself. This protected the nice items, as the white ended up stained from the wood over time. Using old fabrics to protect your good items is very much true to the use of your trunks. Thank you for sharing the trunk website. It never occurred to me to look for such a thing and now I have a place to go to for some replacement handles.
A lovely job on both trunks. That pink was really something! I found a LARGE trunk whilst out walking my dog, luckily it still had the handles so I managed, with difficulty, to get it home. It's a little battered, but I really like it so I just cleaned it up. It now contains throws, patchwork quilts, cushions etc.
Trunks are amazing finds because they can be used for storage, of course, but also serve as a coffee table, end table, or cool decorative object! I loved your solution for the first trunk that you bought - preserved and protected, but yet usable for your needs. ❤
I bought my brand new trunk (it really was new) at the Main Post Exchange (PX), located at Ft. Bragg, NC, in 1968. It has helped me move many times. The original finished was damaged in a storage building. I recovered it with wood grained contact paper. That same trunk is sitting in my living room; and, it serves as a filing cabinet/end table now. My trunk was made out of plywood. I bought it over 56 years ago; so, I think it is an antique now. There are no plastics in or on it.
Ah... trunks are my addiction!! I currently have 10 and will continue to collect them. Some I've restored, others I just clean. I absolutely love how you "rescued" that poor pink nightmare.
You have so much respect for old things. The difference between you, who goes above and beyond to conserve the beauty and original character of a piece, and the someone who decides, let's slap pepto bismal barf paint all over this thing...... geez. When you were using the wire brush, and those little stars appeared, my heart was doing a happy dance; that trunk is beautiful. And brilliant compromise, having a cloth lining made in the image of the original paper in the other trunk; you are amazing. Two trunks saved, how many more are out there suffering? Shannon's rescue and rehab for neglected trunks, I can see it! Thanks for the video. Almost 100k, you deserve it. Have a wonderful weekend.
Both trunks look fabulous! One thought about the items stored in the tin trunk: I used tung oil to refinish some interior doors, and that stuff never goes away. Years later, a damp pair of linen pants hung from the door turned orange wherever the fabric touched the wood. I got the stains out, but it wasn’t a happy surprise. Love your idea of bag-lining the other trunk! What a brilliant way to preserve both your fabrics and the original lining!
I have a trunk that I refinished as a teenager with my dad's help! He went through a (respectful and gentle) trunk refinishing phase in the late 80s. I found a trunk at a garage sale and bought it for him, he made me r4efinsihing it myself! :D We removed the hardware and wood and old canvas, put on new canvas and restored the original wood and hardware (as well as cleaned up the inside) It is such an integral part of my storage needs (blankets and sheets) that I honestly don't know what I would do without it!
Very interesting. Good job on reducing the number of screaming pink items in the world. A few notes: First, please leave captions up just a bit longer (especially when more than a word or two) so they can be read and understood without hitting pause. Second, the bag liner solution is genius. Third, thanks for going to the trouble to edit and post this.
I do often take time to go through and tweak the captions, but my schedule doesn’t often allow for me to go in and adjust timings to the level of precision you’re asking for… it takes a couple hours just to do the basic level spelling corrections and major error catches (also in part because their CC interface is crap)
This is wonderful information!! From removing the paper, the tricks with the flexible ruler, and the dremel wire wheel! All that is very helpful. Taking the time and effort to reproduce the paper pattern on fabric was a fabulous compromise and it looked great. Heck, it’s all covered as soon as you put the fabric in the trunk!! I thoroughly enjoyed this video!
I actually love the job so far , I like old things to show their history in their dings and dents, they look fantastic, they have been lavished by the most meticulous worker possible and both your solutions for the inside are so clever and look fabulous xx
Anyone else like to craft along with these vids? Also my spouse and I have a metal foot locker from the 1960s we restored. Such a joy to watch someone else's old trunk journey!
I think I have that is the same Era? Its blue metal housing with brass (Faux brass) fittings. I thought I would do one of those fake leather out of brown paper bags to cover the blue.. not sure about the "brass" parts. I've had it for years &come up with the idea maybe 4 or 5 yrs ago. Now I want to get it done!
I really enjoy the transformation from pink bubblegum to pirate chest 🤩and "total edit time: 3 years" ☠ Thanks for taking the time to edit and upload for us!!
I had a giant steamer trunk (3 ft by 3 ft by 4.5 ft) that was in bad condition. I got it after it had been under a family member's house for 40 years. when i moved, i really didn't have space for it, nor time to make it over for sale. I donated it to a local community college's furniture restoration certificate program. i hope someone learned a lot, and that it was made pretty and sturdy enough for someone to use.
This has reminded me how glad I am that I got rid of my family heirloom trunks for fabric storage. Lots of work and good intentions but I grew to detest trunks. Gave them all to the charity shop. Good luck!
There's a very old trunk in my grandparents' attic I have always been fscinated with. According to my grandma, it was her grandmother's when she travelled and learning this as a child made brought to my mind pictures of teh Titanic and grand journeys around the world. Seeing you restore and preserve these two trunks makes my inner child so happy and long for adventure, and my adult self very happy to see the bubblegum paint disappear. May you always be creative and crafty, your channel is such a wonderdful source of inspiration!
Omg, this could not have been better timing! I have the opportunity to get one or two trunks like this from my grandmas estate, and now I feel so much better about restoring them!
I have an old steamer trunk that was my mom’s. Thankfully it’s in great condition so I’ve never needed to restore it. I use it as an end table next to my sofa. I love mixing old and new pieces. Adds a lot of storage.
I have my grandmother's cedar hope chest that really needs a little tlc. The wood finish was damaged by years of cigarette smoke and the hinges need replaced. It's still such a beautiful piece.
The trunk we have is from the late 40s. I am pretty sure it was my mother's trousseau chest. My parents married in 1950 and moved to another province about two months after the wedding. Now that you have shown the way, I intend to restore mine. Thank you so much for the demonstration and info about Brettuns.
If we ever finish renovating our house I have a wooden trunk waiting for me to refinish and repurpose as a coffee table. I’m living vicariously through your trunk restoration for now. 😅
Well done! Both trunks look wonderful. I too was thinking of a fabric bag style cover for the inside but I had not thought to do a repro of the interiour paper! That was a very clever move. I have a big very square very simple wooden trunk that belonged to my grandfathers mother. She used it for storing her belongings when she went in to domestic service. I am 74 so the trunk must be from before 1900. I use it to store some of my quilts in.
This is a beautiful DIY restoration. Getting a trunk is a dream project. Thank you so much for the Mod Podge tip. I have some suitcases from my great grandparents and preserving the shipping labels on them has been a puzzle for me. No more excuses for putting that project off.
The verbal faux pas in the final moments was too funny. Thank you for leaving it in. Love the trunks. The basket weave pattern pressed into the sheet metal is beautiful. Leaving the piece unpainted highlights the construction method.
Hi Shannon...I have been "refinishing" trunks since 1977! Over time I have done several and had no room all of them so I gave a few away. My first one was pretty good on the outside, but the inside was covered in really bad fabric attached with about "50,000" staples! You did a great job on your trunks and keeping the accent paper in the lid was genius! Wish I had known that before! Have fun on your work/trip!
I appreciate your approach to balanced restoration vs. preservation. I also like rescuing treasures that can still be used for practical purposes. Thanks for the video. 👍👍👍😁
When I have my own place I will fill it with old trunks, but at the moment I only have one really crusty looking trunk. This definitely gave me some good ideas of how to better preserve it!
I think your solution with the fabric printed like the paper was a great idea and I also loved how you preserved the undamaged pretty parts of the paper lining in the other one! Just great that you consulted experts and took a lot of care to restore these. Makes my historian heart happy :) The "monthly survivor" part cracked me up, but I'll take it :D
Thank you so much for the tutorial. Purchased a steamer trunk last month to replace one lost in a house fire. It was my grandfather's that he purchased directly after WWI and meant a great deal to me. This replacement trunk is missing it's "shelf" like box, but fortunately it was never painted and should be an easier renovation job than your two trunks. It is truly appreciated that you mentioned the products used like the Tung Oil and a heads up about the Bretton's Village website for replacement parts. Have been truly enjoying your vlogs and keenly watching for your unique solutions using thrifted items. Best to you from an all too sunny and hot Central California day.
I'm so happy you did this! I have a trunk that I used for years, but it's been falling apart so much I'd rather leave it home than bring it to events I used to. Now I have the resources to fix it up thanks to you!
Shannon, I’m in North Somerset, UK. I retain a trunk my parents used when they moved from Edinburgh, Scotland to Somerset back in the late 1940’s (before I was born in the mid ‘50’s.). What I love about it is it still has the typed new address on the front - part of our family history really! Will see that it gets restored properly by someone who will know what they are doing - to pass on to my daughter, and so on.
I didn’t realize how much I love seeing you do crafting projects. Very nice trunk restorations. Seeing your fabric makes me want to sew something. Pulling my fabric out now.
Shannon, thank you so much for sharing this! I have two trunks that belonged to my great-great grandparents. One was the traveling trunk my great-great grandmother used. Her husband (GGGfather) was killed while working on the railroad and they gave her a lifetime rail pass as part of the compensation. It has endured the 1970s so it has a layer of green paint under an outer layer of black paint, and I have no idea what the original color is. There are also some areas where the metal skin has come loose. The other trunk is much like the ones in your video. I don't know any history on it at all, but it's been in my house, filled with my great-grandfather's books, for a couple of decades since I rescued it from the barn. Seeing you work on these has inspired me!
Love watching you, love your zest for the everyday hard work to salvage precious oldies. Thanks for sharing and taking us along on your adventures/journeys.
I'm a new subscriber by a great chance I found your channel. I absolutely love the fact you and your partner are restoring your "new" home. There is nothing like seeing someone bring an old glory back to it original beauty. Thanks for having the passion for it. Keep up the great work in the blood sweat and tears that are going on. Reward is something I can't wait for. ❤
I used to have trunks kind of like this, but was too scared to try and repair them so they were just decorative. Eventually we had to give them away because we didn't have space for them. We had a large wooden shipping box too, which I and the cats absolutely loved. Until one day we moved it and discovered ants had gotten into the house and were eating it. Was really upset about that one, sat perfectly under the 2 windows in our dining room and was great for taking shoes on and off and storage
Just have to say, I know you were nervous about transitioning from all sewing all the time to let’s repair and restore but I am so glad you let that creative genie out of that bottle. I love these new videos. I love watching your innovative techniques for breathing new life into beautiful objects that have been neglected and forgotten.
Yes, I am a survivor but you are a good thing helping me not succumb to depression/overwhelm in what I want to do.in this episode you corrected my first thought of polyurethane paper down. You taught me Spoonflower is doable,had read site years back and gave up. Thanks for the visit
Yes!!!! I have my grandfathers old trunk (the one his father brought over from Italy when they immigrated from Sicily) that I have been wanting to clean up for years! I have been using it to store quilts inside and as a plant display on top. It is similar to the first trunk you shared-with the tray inside and leather handles that are turining into dust. than you for sharing Brettuns information-this is what I've needed. Now that I'm retired, I can spend the time to bring it back to life.
wow!! these are great results for two lovely, deserving trunks. of course you can always go back and "edit" to improve the aesthetics and function, but you've done the hardest and most important parts to protect and preserve these beautiful pieces of history and can go back at your leisure to do whatever else you like. be safe and enjoy your travels! :)
I love how clean the design and wood look after you took all the paint off! There's a trunk sitting in my parent's basement (totally dry) with my daughter's baby stuff in it and now you've got me thinking about the possibilities! So thank you!! :)
I'm definitely inspired to try this. I have 2 antique pieces of furniture that I want to restore. I love that there is a paint stripper that's less toxic. Thanks so much.
I'm of two minds when it comes to restoration versus preservation. I know with antique furniture, restoration loses it value. Some stuff is just in bad condition and needs a reboot, though. Back in the '70s, my mom found the most beautiful antique furniture in yard sales and the garbage. Unlike the weirdos around them, my parents liked the natural wood look, and left no horrible 70s paint on classic furniture. But my dad did strip off the old finishes and, put it back to the glorious state it started in. One piece took 15 thin coats of tung oil! But the wood grain and inlay are beautiful. I'll never sell it, so the value is sentiment.
I have an old trunk that was, very sadly, painted with black chalk paint at some point. It's in otherwise good shape but now I'm reminded I have one more creative project on my long list.
What a nice job you did! Happy to watch your videos. I can not always have the time to comment or watch them all but when I do, I always send beautiful positive energy your way. Take care and hello to Phil.
Old trunks are one of those mystical things that I am really drawn to and am always fascinated by. My inner antique treasure hunter was filled with joy watching you work on these lovely treasures! A nifty bonus was seeing you fold and store your patchwork coat from the 1st video I ever watched of yours (and ultimately made me a big fan!) Inside when you were finished! ❤
Yes, there are actually many fabrics in the final shots that have since been made into things too, little Easter Eggs for long time viewers of the channel (and even more for me, since not all of those projects were filmed)!
I bought an antique trunk at a barn sale in 1985 when I was 14 and spent the long, HOT summer removing the painted over canvas, scraping glue, sanding, etc. I still have it and use it. If you’re interested in a third trunk next time you’re in MSP, let me know; we have my original, so we don’t need my husband’s family trunk (sadly, no one in the family wants it).
Great job! I love the look of the pirate trunk. I didn't hate the pink, to be honest, but I like the look you achieved much more. I'm glad you were able to save those cute paper details on the lid too.
Love your problem solving: the bag liner, Spoonflower, and stapled in, finding the trunk restorer, repair people! Bravo, Shannon on pulling this all together and sharing your trunk adventures! Thank you!
Oooh, I gotta save this video! I have an antique trunk that had been given to my mom as a kid, which came from her elderly neighbor at the time. It is definitely near or past the 100-year-old mark. My aunt, may she rest in peace, had attempted to refinish it once, but it needs further rehabilitation for sure. Now I'll have a starting point for when I can finally attempt restoring it. Thank you, Shannon!
I love seeing the trunks. I got a trunk at a flea market that was in the middle of a field after days of rain. Mud to your knees in some places. My husband was not the most pleased about helping me getting it out and to the vehicle. I wound up scraping the paper out and then lining it with aromatic cedar and I used shelf lining inside the top. Most of my fabric now lives there.
Love the trunk restoration. We have the trunks that my great grandparents used when they immigrated to Canada 100 plus years ago. They're in pretty good shape. We have blankets and fabric in them.
The first 500 people to use my link skl.sh/shannonmakes06241 will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare premium!
Well I'm glad Barbie sold her trunk to someone who would use it rather than just letting it rot somewhere 😂
😂😂😂
Hahaha, Restoration Barbie.
I love the reproduced image on the fabric and making a lining. Very clever.
So many wood bits of our house were just sloppily painted over by the previous owners in an attempt to make the photos look better for sale- window sills, frames were painted shut. All the lovely wooden door were painted in multiple layers of thick paint. We have used some citrus strip but the nooks and crannies are so tough- thinking of trying a heat gun. Your trunks look lovely with all the elbow grease you put into them!
Wow great job Shannon! The trunks are wonderful!
“Less bubblegum, and more bottle of rum” 🤣🤣🤣
Oh the Cap'n likes whisky //
The maid likes rum //
Away, Santi-ana! //
The crew likes both //
But we ain't got none! //
Along the plains of Mexico!
This was one of my favorite parts too! 🤣😂
"There's inevitably a part of every project where it looks like a disaster and you doubt yourself" is so helpful to hear from someone much more experienced. I only just started sewing (made my first skirt this weekend) and I totally had that moment! It's nice to hear that other people have that moment too.
Congrats on your first project! 🥳🥳🥳
The pirate trunk is life ❤ . I love it.
To the most generous monthly survivors, yall are the real VP's thank you so so much. 😂
thank you!!
I loved the total edit time of 3 years!
🤣🤣🤣
I really love how you respect the history of the object and think about the ethics of working on objects of considerable age. I feel like far too often vintage/antique pieces get abused to fit into someone's aesthetic. Appreciating actual craftsmanship and functional objects that have stood the test of time is wonderful!
I’m glad you left the ending in. 😂 I have an ancient, beat all to pieces, trunk in the basement. It was my step fathers who passed away almost 30 years ago so I don’t have its history. I didn’t think there was anything I could do for it but I am now inspired to put it on the potential projects for the future list! 😅 I look forward to Friday mornings and your always interesting, inspiring and fun content. Safe travels! ❤️🙏🏻❤️
thank you 🥰
It is YOUR inspiring and fearless videos like this that nudged me to fix my favorite blanket so it could go through the washing machine and be put back on the bed. I felt the project was hopeless for over TEN years, but I thought I could handsew the repairs since putting it under a presser foot would be a huge hassle, and it is almost finished! I'm really uplifted and I might add, rather proud too lol Thank You Shannon!!
Congrats!! That's amazing! 💪❤️
The cedar planks were brilliant! I use old trunks to store holiday decor. That way there’s no hauling anything up into an attic etc. The lovely trunk is on display year round.
Next time you have to strip furniture brush the orange stripper on very thickly and then cover it with cling wrap. Let it sit for 30 minutes and it will just scrape off with no effort. I love that you restored these trunks and did such a great job!
Lovely to see old things come back to life. I survived the episode ;)
♥️💙💜💙♥️
lol!!
I'm using your video to soothe & distract while I wait for an oncologist to report finding for my mom. Thanks for offering an outlet for escape.
Oooh, fingers crossed for a positive outcome 🤞🤞🤞
Thanks! ❤
🤞
No one else can make 3 year old paint scrapping footage survivable ❤😜 bag lining the second trunk with repro fabric was genius and that pressed tin on the first one was so so pretty once oiled, definitely worth all the hours scrapping at it
Thank you!
Three years editing time!! Well done!😊
Growing up my parents restored well over 20 trucks. We had curved tops, flat tops, cloth trunks that looked like they belonged in a safari tent and a Victoria closet trunk that stood on its side open with drawers and hangers. We used them for everything and every room had at least one. We used it as our coffee table, tv stand, cd storage, blanket and toy storage and as seating. It was a big deal to get to choose our own trunk, the colors, fabrics and shape to put in our own room. My dad made cedar trays to fit inside. The one I chose is huge…I can fit inside it. I love when other people get interested in trunks!
We have quite a few family trunks, most of which were stored in the "barn" (enclosed, but not climate controlled). One had fabric items stored in it that weren't touched for somewhere between 50-80 years. The nice fabrics (quilts and such) were wrapped in white "scrap" fabric before storage, so nothing to be saved touched the wood itself. This protected the nice items, as the white ended up stained from the wood over time. Using old fabrics to protect your good items is very much true to the use of your trunks. Thank you for sharing the trunk website. It never occurred to me to look for such a thing and now I have a place to go to for some replacement handles.
You're very welcome!
A lovely job on both trunks. That pink was really something!
I found a LARGE trunk whilst out walking my dog, luckily it still had the handles so I managed, with difficulty, to get it home. It's a little battered, but I really like it so I just cleaned it up. It now contains throws, patchwork quilts, cushions etc.
That is awesome!
No, you were right...survivor.
(3 years😂) I guess that'd be you!
Love your intro. Makes me think of "regular person by day, crime fighter at night." 😊
😊😊😊
Trunks are amazing finds because they can be used for storage, of course, but also serve as a coffee table, end table, or cool decorative object! I loved your solution for the first trunk that you bought - preserved and protected, but yet usable for your needs. ❤
I bought my brand new trunk (it really was new) at the Main Post Exchange (PX), located at Ft. Bragg, NC, in 1968. It has helped me move many times. The original finished was damaged in a storage building. I recovered it with wood grained contact paper. That same trunk is sitting in my living room; and, it serves as a filing cabinet/end table now. My trunk was made out of plywood. I bought it over 56 years ago; so, I think it is an antique now. There are no plastics in or on it.
Ah... trunks are my addiction!! I currently have 10 and will continue to collect them. Some I've restored, others I just clean.
I absolutely love how you "rescued" that poor pink nightmare.
🥰🥰🥰
2 trunks in 2 days, don't ask questions 😂 love it ❤ Love your channel !
😁❤️🫶
You have so much respect for old things. The difference between you, who goes above and beyond to conserve the beauty and original character of a piece, and the someone who decides, let's slap pepto bismal barf paint all over this thing...... geez. When you were using the wire brush, and those little stars appeared, my heart was doing a happy dance; that trunk is beautiful. And brilliant compromise, having a cloth lining made in the image of the original paper in the other trunk; you are amazing. Two trunks saved, how many more are out there suffering? Shannon's rescue and rehab for neglected trunks, I can see it! Thanks for the video. Almost 100k, you deserve it. Have a wonderful weekend.
Yea, those little stars are SO stunning and cute!! Glad to have uncovered them!
love this week's edit time, at least you're honest about it lol
😂😂😂
I like the outcome of the bubblegum trunk better! You did a great job on both!!❤
Both trunks look fabulous! One thought about the items stored in the tin trunk: I used tung oil to refinish some interior doors, and that stuff never goes away. Years later, a damp pair of linen pants hung from the door turned orange wherever the fabric touched the wood. I got the stains out, but it wasn’t a happy surprise. Love your idea of bag-lining the other trunk! What a brilliant way to preserve both your fabrics and the original lining!
I have a trunk that I refinished as a teenager with my dad's help! He went through a (respectful and gentle) trunk refinishing phase in the late 80s. I found a trunk at a garage sale and bought it for him, he made me r4efinsihing it myself! :D We removed the hardware and wood and old canvas, put on new canvas and restored the original wood and hardware (as well as cleaned up the inside) It is such an integral part of my storage needs (blankets and sheets) that I honestly don't know what I would do without it!
Love that!!!!
Very interesting. Good job on reducing the number of screaming pink items in the world.
A few notes: First, please leave captions up just a bit longer (especially when more than a word or two) so they can be read and understood without hitting pause. Second, the bag liner solution is genius. Third, thanks for going to the trouble to edit and post this.
I'm in the middle of 12 hour long rehearsals at the moment, and didn't have time to edit the captions; they are currently the TH-cam default captions
Sorry, didn't mean to add to your work load. Just a suggestion to improve the channel.
My knees are aching in sympathy.
I do often take time to go through and tweak the captions, but my schedule doesn’t often allow for me to go in and adjust timings to the level of precision you’re asking for… it takes a couple hours just to do the basic level spelling corrections and major error catches (also in part because their CC interface is crap)
This is wonderful information!! From removing the paper, the tricks with the flexible ruler, and the dremel wire wheel! All that is very helpful. Taking the time and effort to reproduce the paper pattern on fabric was a fabulous compromise and it looked great. Heck, it’s all covered as soon as you put the fabric in the trunk!! I thoroughly enjoyed this video!
So nice to see that Lady Canelle and a "wolf" companion to spend time with. 😅 Another great project
Thank you! 😊
I actually love the job so far , I like old things to show their history in their dings and dents, they look fantastic, they have been lavished by the most meticulous worker possible and both your solutions for the inside are so clever and look fabulous xx
Thank you! 😊
0:52 😂 you get what you get, we dont get upset 💖
Anyone else like to craft along with these vids? Also my spouse and I have a metal foot locker from the 1960s we restored. Such a joy to watch someone else's old trunk journey!
I think I have that is the same Era? Its blue metal housing with brass
(Faux brass) fittings. I thought I would do one of those fake leather out of brown paper bags to cover the blue.. not sure about the "brass" parts. I've had it for years &come up with the idea maybe 4 or 5 yrs ago. Now I want to get it done!
I think they turned out great! I really like the texture that was revealed with the bubble gum chest, super neat.
Thank you! And yea, I love the texture of the metal!
I really enjoy the transformation from pink bubblegum to pirate chest 🤩and "total edit time: 3 years" ☠ Thanks for taking the time to edit and upload for us!!
My pleasure! 😊
I had a giant steamer trunk (3 ft by 3 ft by 4.5 ft) that was in bad condition. I got it after it had been under a family member's house for 40 years. when i moved, i really didn't have space for it, nor time to make it over for sale. I donated it to a local community college's furniture restoration certificate program. i hope someone learned a lot, and that it was made pretty and sturdy enough for someone to use.
1:26 Ohhh I'm in love with that skirt! 😍
This has reminded me how glad I am that I got rid of my family heirloom trunks for fabric storage. Lots of work and good intentions but I grew to detest trunks. Gave them all to the charity shop.
Good luck!
Lots of ppl out there, myself included, who still love trunks and will be thrilled that you’ve made them available to those who want them :-)
There's a very old trunk in my grandparents' attic I have always been fscinated with. According to my grandma, it was her grandmother's when she travelled and learning this as a child made brought to my mind pictures of teh Titanic and grand journeys around the world. Seeing you restore and preserve these two trunks makes my inner child so happy and long for adventure, and my adult self very happy to see the bubblegum paint disappear. May you always be creative and crafty, your channel is such a wonderdful source of inspiration!
Very neat!! Thank you 😊
I hope all of your monthly supporters are monthly survivors. 💖 Keep surviving out there folks!
💪💪🤣
Omg, this could not have been better timing! I have the opportunity to get one or two trunks like this from my grandmas estate, and now I feel so much better about restoring them!
I have an old steamer trunk that was my mom’s. Thankfully it’s in great condition so I’ve never needed to restore it. I use it as an end table next to my sofa. I love mixing old and new pieces. Adds a lot of storage.
Love it. I also have a trunk in need of TLC. I have had it for over 30 years and am now inspired to see to its future preservation.
Fabulous work! So lovely in the end!
Thank you! 😊
I have my grandmother's cedar hope chest that really needs a little tlc. The wood finish was damaged by years of cigarette smoke and the hinges need replaced. It's still such a beautiful piece.
The trunk we have is from the late 40s. I am pretty sure it was my mother's trousseau chest. My parents married in 1950 and moved to another province about two months after the wedding. Now that you have shown the way, I intend to restore mine. Thank you so much for the demonstration and info about Brettuns.
If we ever finish renovating our house I have a wooden trunk waiting for me to refinish and repurpose as a coffee table. I’m living vicariously through your trunk restoration for now. 😅
Well done! Both trunks look wonderful. I too was thinking of a fabric bag style cover for the inside but I had not thought to do a repro of the interiour paper! That was a very clever move. I have a big very square very simple wooden trunk that belonged to my grandfathers mother. She used it for storing her belongings when she went in to domestic service. I am 74 so the trunk must be from before 1900. I use it to store some of my quilts in.
This is a beautiful DIY restoration. Getting a trunk is a dream project. Thank you so much for the Mod Podge tip. I have some suitcases from my great grandparents and preserving the shipping labels on them has been a puzzle for me. No more excuses for putting that project off.
Love a good old trunk and you have two. Love the care and attention you put into the restoration Good job.
Thanks 👍
I’m looking for a new venture…there are so many cool old trunks on Marketplace. Thanks for the inspo Shannon.🎉
The verbal faux pas in the final moments was too funny. Thank you for leaving it in. Love the trunks. The basket weave pattern pressed into the sheet metal is beautiful. Leaving the piece unpainted highlights the construction method.
😊 thank you
Hi Shannon...I have been "refinishing" trunks since 1977! Over time I have done several and had no room all of them so I gave a few away. My first one was pretty good on the outside, but the inside was covered in really bad fabric attached with about "50,000" staples! You did a great job on your trunks and keeping the accent paper in the lid was genius! Wish I had known that before! Have fun on your work/trip!
I appreciate your approach to balanced restoration vs. preservation. I also like rescuing treasures that can still be used for practical purposes. Thanks for the video. 👍👍👍😁
You're very welcome!
When I have my own place I will fill it with old trunks, but at the moment I only have one really crusty looking trunk. This definitely gave me some good ideas of how to better preserve it!
This is so inspiring! I have a very old trunk I bought about 30 years ago that I've wanted to refurbish.
I think your solution with the fabric printed like the paper was a great idea and I also loved how you preserved the undamaged pretty parts of the paper lining in the other one! Just great that you consulted experts and took a lot of care to restore these. Makes my historian heart happy :)
The "monthly survivor" part cracked me up, but I'll take it :D
I enjoyed the trunk restorations.
Thank you
I have my Grandmother's trunk. She went to Canada 🇨🇦 to homestead with her father at 12 from Michigan.
Both trunks are so incredibly 🍀
I’m impressed with your persistence and applaud your desire to restore these trunks to working order. Nice work.
You have reminded me about a hump back trunk I have in my garage. Thank you for sharing.(I bought for 7.50)
Perfect!
Thank you so much for the tutorial. Purchased a steamer trunk last month to replace one lost in a house fire. It was my grandfather's that he purchased directly after WWI and meant a great deal to me. This replacement trunk is missing it's "shelf" like box, but fortunately it was never painted and should be an easier renovation job than your two trunks. It is truly appreciated that you mentioned the products used like the Tung Oil and a heads up about the Bretton's Village website for replacement parts. Have been truly enjoying your vlogs and keenly watching for your unique solutions using thrifted items.
Best to you from an all too sunny and hot Central California day.
I'm so sorry to hear you lost your grandfather's original trunk, but at least you found a very similar to stand in it's stead!
I'm so happy you did this! I have a trunk that I used for years, but it's been falling apart so much I'd rather leave it home than bring it to events I used to. Now I have the resources to fix it up thanks to you!
Shannon, I’m in North Somerset, UK. I retain a trunk my parents used when they moved from Edinburgh, Scotland to Somerset back in the late 1940’s (before I was born in the mid ‘50’s.). What I love about it is it still has the typed new address on the front - part of our family history really! Will see that it gets restored properly by someone who will know what they are doing - to pass on to my daughter, and so on.
❤oh and I forgot, I have my Dad's WW2 army trunk too. Love this episode!!❤
I didn’t realize how much I love seeing you do crafting projects. Very nice trunk restorations. Seeing your fabric makes me want to sew something. Pulling my fabric out now.
Well you're in luck, there's nearly 3 years of sewing and crafting videos on the channel! 😁
❤ I have a trunk that was my Grandmother's. You have given me alot of info to preserve and clean it up. Thanks!!!❤
You are so welcome!
I think you’ve done a great job restoring the trunks Shannon, your patience and determination certainly paid off, tfs x Julie 🇬🇧
Thank you so much!
That's a Beautiful trunk, I love Antiques ❤😊
Shannon, thank you so much for sharing this! I have two trunks that belonged to my great-great grandparents. One was the traveling trunk my great-great grandmother used. Her husband (GGGfather) was killed while working on the railroad and they gave her a lifetime rail pass as part of the compensation. It has endured the 1970s so it has a layer of green paint under an outer layer of black paint, and I have no idea what the original color is. There are also some areas where the metal skin has come loose. The other trunk is much like the ones in your video. I don't know any history on it at all, but it's been in my house, filled with my great-grandfather's books, for a couple of decades since I rescued it from the barn. Seeing you work on these has inspired me!
You're very welcome!
Love watching you, love your zest for the everyday hard work to salvage precious oldies. Thanks for sharing and taking us along on your adventures/journeys.
Thank you! 😊
I'm a new subscriber by a great chance I found your channel. I absolutely love the fact you and your partner are restoring your "new" home. There is nothing like seeing someone bring an old glory back to it original beauty. Thanks for having the passion for it. Keep up the great work in the blood sweat and tears that are going on. Reward is something I can't wait for. ❤
thank you 🥰
I used to have trunks kind of like this, but was too scared to try and repair them so they were just decorative. Eventually we had to give them away because we didn't have space for them. We had a large wooden shipping box too, which I and the cats absolutely loved. Until one day we moved it and discovered ants had gotten into the house and were eating it. Was really upset about that one, sat perfectly under the 2 windows in our dining room and was great for taking shoes on and off and storage
Just have to say, I know you were nervous about transitioning from all sewing all the time to let’s repair and restore but I am so glad you let that creative genie out of that bottle. I love these new videos. I love watching your innovative techniques for breathing new life into beautiful objects that have been neglected and forgotten.
It's actually an incredibly old video, but I fully appreciate the enthusiasm and support!!
Yes, I am a survivor but you are a good thing helping me not succumb to depression/overwhelm in what I want to do.in this episode you corrected my first thought of polyurethane paper down. You taught me Spoonflower is doable,had read site years back and gave up. Thanks for the visit
Yes!!!! I have my grandfathers old trunk (the one his father brought over from Italy when they immigrated from Sicily) that I have been wanting to clean up for years! I have been using it to store quilts inside and as a plant display on top. It is similar to the first trunk you shared-with the tray inside and leather handles that are turining into dust. than you for sharing Brettuns information-this is what I've needed. Now that I'm retired, I can spend the time to bring it back to life.
wow!! these are great results for two lovely, deserving trunks. of course you can always go back and "edit" to improve the aesthetics and function, but you've done the hardest and most important parts to protect and preserve these beautiful pieces of history and can go back at your leisure to do whatever else you like. be safe and enjoy your travels! :)
thank you 🥰
I love how clean the design and wood look after you took all the paint off! There's a trunk sitting in my parent's basement (totally dry) with my daughter's baby stuff in it and now you've got me thinking about the possibilities! So thank you!! :)
I think once I got a house.I would love to have a trunk or two around to put linens in.
I'm definitely inspired to try this. I have 2 antique pieces of furniture that I want to restore. I love that there is a paint stripper that's less toxic. Thanks so much.
I'm of two minds when it comes to restoration versus preservation. I know with antique furniture, restoration loses it value. Some stuff is just in bad condition and needs a reboot, though. Back in the '70s, my mom found the most beautiful antique furniture in yard sales and the garbage. Unlike the weirdos around them, my parents liked the natural wood look, and left no horrible 70s paint on classic furniture. But my dad did strip off the old finishes and, put it back to the glorious state it started in. One piece took 15 thin coats of tung oil! But the wood grain and inlay are beautiful. I'll never sell it, so the value is sentiment.
The lining fabric is a GREAT idea! I've cleaned and sold many trunks, but that wasn't an option at the time. Honestly, brilliant.
I have an old trunk that was, very sadly, painted with black chalk paint at some point. It's in otherwise good shape but now I'm reminded I have one more creative project on my long list.
What a nice job you did! Happy to watch your videos. I can not always have the time to comment or watch them all but when I do, I always send beautiful positive energy your way. Take care and hello to Phil.
Old trunks are one of those mystical things that I am really drawn to and am always fascinated by. My inner antique treasure hunter was filled with joy watching you work on these lovely treasures! A nifty bonus was seeing you fold and store your patchwork coat from the 1st video I ever watched of yours (and ultimately made me a big fan!) Inside when you were finished! ❤
Yes, there are actually many fabrics in the final shots that have since been made into things too, little Easter Eggs for long time viewers of the channel (and even more for me, since not all of those projects were filmed)!
I bought an antique trunk at a barn sale in 1985 when I was 14 and spent the long, HOT summer removing the painted over canvas, scraping glue, sanding, etc. I still have it and use it.
If you’re interested in a third trunk next time you’re in MSP, let me know; we have my original, so we don’t need my husband’s family trunk (sadly, no one in the family wants it).
You are doing such a great job, there is a professional restorer lost in you
I admire how you appreciate the trunks' histories. I got a very old trunk at an auction over 30 years ago. It's been my coffee table ever since.
Thank you!!
Great job! I love the look of the pirate trunk. I didn't hate the pink, to be honest, but I like the look you achieved much more. I'm glad you were able to save those cute paper details on the lid too.
monthly survivor and 3 years edit time made me giggle. i love this project so much and now want a trunk so badly
🤣🤣🤣
Edit time 3 years!! 😂 99k soooo close to that checkmark!!! You so deserve it!
lolll glad you enjoyed that little touch!
You did an amazing job editing this - if you hadn’t told me it was from two years ago and shot on a phone, I would never have guessed!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
I donated a trunk that was actually in pretty good condition. Never occurred to me to make it over. You done good kid! Lol.
Love your problem solving: the bag liner, Spoonflower, and stapled in, finding the trunk restorer, repair people! Bravo, Shannon on pulling this all together and sharing your trunk adventures! Thank you!
You’re welcome!! ☺️
Oooh, I gotta save this video! I have an antique trunk that had been given to my mom as a kid, which came from her elderly neighbor at the time. It is definitely near or past the 100-year-old mark. My aunt, may she rest in peace, had attempted to refinish it once, but it needs further rehabilitation for sure. Now I'll have a starting point for when I can finally attempt restoring it. Thank you, Shannon!
Thank you!! 🥰
Total editing time three years! Hilarious😂😂
lol right?!
I love seeing the trunks. I got a trunk at a flea market that was in the middle of a field after days of rain. Mud to your knees in some places. My husband was not the most pleased about helping me getting it out and to the vehicle. I wound up scraping the paper out and then lining it with aromatic cedar and I used shelf lining inside the top. Most of my fabric now lives there.
I have a old trunk that was my grandpa’s. It’s in pretty good shape and I have it in my bedroom. I love it.
Love the trunk restoration. We have the trunks that my great grandparents used when they immigrated to Canada 100 plus years ago. They're in pretty good shape. We have blankets and fabric in them.
That's amazing!