I hate to admit this but, this one has sat on my front porch used as a footrest and rusting away in the elements. It has a curved top and the metal on the front and top are stars. I just didn't have room or any ideas what I should do with it. Then it hit me! My daughter will be 16 in a few months and what do you give a 16 year old for her birthday? OK she would probably want a piece of technology but once upon a time it was a hope chest, a sign of aproaching adulthood and freedom. So I dragged to poor thing inside and set to work.
I painted the stars silver and the rusty (scary like get a tetnus shot before beginning to work on it) top was decoupaged with some scrapbook paper. Oddly enough it stablized where it was squishy (oh so technical aren't I?)
I stained the wood, the kind with poly in it because when I am done, I am done! I also brushed it on the areas I painted it silver so it would still have the older look to it.
I painted the hardware black and the remaining metal a very dark gray, sadly it looks black in the pics. and then did a light silver glaze over the pretty hardware to make it stand out.
I plan to finish the inside with scrapbook paper that I have hoarded for years thinking I was going to actually use it for its original purpose.
The trunk is hiding in plain view as I have nowhere to hide it and the lovely girl just sits and stares at it telling me how cool she thinks it is, I'll take that as a good sign :)
