Monday, November 7, 2011

Steamer Trunk & What Could be Better than 50% off

50% is always great ... but, to paint, or not to paint ... that is the question.
Confused yet?  OK ,let me start here. I have been looking for a steamer trunk, to use as a coffee table for some time now. I have seen a lot out there. I felt like Goldilocks on a treasure hunt. Too big ... too small ... just right , but too expensive. Not tall enough ... top not flat enough ... if you have searched for one of these, you probably know exactly what I'm talking about. I wasn't asking for much ... just a flat topped trunk with character, a good size to use as a coffee table in a small space ... oh yeah and one that didn't smell like something died in it. It's not like I was asking for one that still had both of its handles :).
Well my plan was find one ... Paint it white and walk around the house with a big fat smile for a few weeks, at least. Well the time came ... I found one at the merchants village. It fit all the requirements. It didn't have either handles, but I was ok with that. It was only $40. , I was ok with that too.  What I wasn't ok with, is that I didn't have the $40 on me.

I'm not sure why I didn't go back that day ... well it was probably because I was physically and mentally exhausted.  But 3 days later I asked my daughter ,that was in from school for the weekend, to go back and see if it was still there.  She called me from there ... and said "I found the seller ... but there is no chest here for 40 dollars" "all 3 chests you described are here but the one you asked me to get ... the only one with both handles gone, is marked $20, so I don't know if that is it or not" I told her to go ahead and get it for the 20 and if it wasn't the right one I would use it in the attic for storage. Oh I can't forget to tell you the dreaded thing I asked of my beloved daughter ... yes ... yes ... I asked her to smell inside. She passed on the chore to the friend she went with ... so shes not holding it against me :). Guess what It didn't smell .... so Yay for everyone! Double yay for me cause .......  ......   ....... It was the same chest only 50% less than 3 days before. 



Now below is what inspired me to go looking for a steamer trunk and paint it white in the first place.

 This lovely photo and amazing white chest belongs to ... Life in the fun Lane. And this is the look I wanted. If this is the look I wanted, then why am I so hesitant to slap some paint on it. O I wish I knew. What do you all think ... what would you do? Am I destroying character ... or creating personality? I will leave you with that question and answer one I do know ..... 

What is better than 50% off well .... my answer is 90% off.
Below is a pr of french busts that I had my eye on ... well I had my eye on two pairs from two different sellers ... they both wanted 18 dollars for the set. The one set was perfect and the other set had some tiny imperfections. I figured it was a no brainer ... the perfect one ...right? Well I passed up both sets on my 2 previous visits. I am so glad I did ,because on my latest visit ... slightly imperfect started looking real good to me when, I found the slightly imperfect pair on a 90% off table for $1.80 .... SCORE!

I would love for you to share any steal of a deal ...you might have stumbled across lately.
So If you still have any energy after reading my long and drawn out post ........Enjoy your Week!
Thanks for stopping by ... Francine

Check out more wonderful finds here ...

 
 Photobucket   Beyond The Picket Fence
Furniture Feature Fridays  Funky Junk Interiors 

16 comments:

  1. Francine that's a beautiful trunk and you certainly scored big time!! I am all for paint but I love it as is. Martina

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  2. I really like the trunk...you got an awesome deal! I have to be honest I like yours as is...if it was mine I would not paint it. I think it looks really nice with the surrounding furnishings you have. It has character and warmth to it. Very nice!

    xoxo Rachel

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  3. Gee Francine, I just don't know? Have you ever used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and wax? They have gorgeous colors that you can mix up with white to give it a lighter color or leave the color as is. I like the white and Annie Sloan has a beautiful Old white color that is gorgeous. I can see that on your trunk in you're living room but the original color is a nice contrast too. What a dilemma!

    I'd say you scored this week. I love the French busts! Sometimes it pays to wait. My motto on that is to wait 24 hours and if you still HAVE TO HAVE IT go purchase it if after 24 hours you don't feel the love you haven't lost a thing!

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  4. I love your trunk - it's beautiful!

    Thank you for visiting me today & leaving such a sweet comment.

    xox

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  5. Those are fabulous!! Loving the trunk!

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  6. Hmmm, the white one in your inspiration pic does look lovely, but I love the rustic look of yours against the white sofa. I say don't paint. At least for now.
    xoxo,
    Kim

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  7. Wow-what a great deal- lucky you-I'm your newest follower-stop by for a visit!

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  8. Beautiful trunk! I understand your hesitation to paint...so do I! Hope you are having a great week!...hugs...Debbie

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  9. This trunk is WAAAY Cool! It looks great the way it is. Look for another bargain to paint white!

    You have been given a little award, and you've been featured on my blog. Drop by Revisionary Life to see...

    Blessings!
    -Revi

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  10. Hiya Francine :) nice one! You've gotta love a bargain like that, especially after such a long search :) Just wanted to let you know as well that I have passed along a blog award to you, drop by my blog to check it out :)
    Cas x

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  11. Love it as is! Great find!
    http://www.lovelycraftyhome.com

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  12. Wow.....As much as I love to paint everything white whenever I can, I'd have trouble deciding whether or not to paint that beauty, Francine! lol! It's beautiful! I guess it depends on how much other wood pieces you have in the room. If there's more white than wood, then you could really just keep it as is! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  13. Awesome trunk... great find!

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  14. Two great finds! I agree, it would be hard to decide whether or not to paint the trunk because the deep colour seems so perfectly aged. If you have other dark pieces you could always just live with it for a bit and make the decision later. A great piece either way.

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  15. Hi Francine, great trunk - paint it white or off-white just like you wanted to do in the first place, LOL If you are not too concerned about the value of the item and whether it is a true antique, I say go with your heart and paint it, that's what I do. I don't get an item because it is worth something, I get it because it is appealing to me. I recently did that with a little chair and am now doing it with a small footstool. Either one could be worth a few more bucks than I paid. Anyway, the busts are cute also.

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