This post is sponsored by Dixie Belle Paint Company. The post also contains affiliate links from which I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Would you believe me if I told you that I bought this vintage trunk more than ten years ago without ever giving it a makeover? It’s true! Apparently, I am capable of leaving some things just the way they are!

Okay, maybe that is not entirely true; I scraped off a few loose flakes of blue paint to prevent them from making a mess. But that’s it – until now. I finally decided it was time to give the trunk a new look.
Prepping Before the Vintage Trunk Makeover
I began with paint stripper, but that was a complete waste of time. This blue paint is stubborn as can be! There were also very few smooth areas to scrape the paint off. The wood is in rough shape, and the metal is bent and buckled all over.

The decorative slats were broken and loose, so I decided to remove them and make the refinishing process a lot easier.



My orbital sander is my best friend! Because of all the nooks and crannies, I thought the mouse sander would be the best tool for the job, but I soon realized that it was not strong enough to get rid of the blue paint without sanding for days on end. I did not have the patience for that!



The inside of the trunk was covered in some sort of decorative paper at one point in time. Only a few tiny pieces were still visible. It was so old and brittle that it turned to dust as I wiped over it. I decided to sand it all away and clean the inside well.



Because of all the uneven surfaces, I decided that a few remaining bits of blue paint wouldn’t be the end of the world.
I quite liked the look of the raw wood and metal. I did consider leaving it this way, but I was also curious to try out one of Dixie Belle’s new wood stain colors: Golden Ash.
Staining the Wood of the Trunk



Dixie Belle”s No Pain Gel Stain is an absolute joy to work with. No pain indeed is the best name to describe this product. I am also a fan of this new color, Golden Ash. It’s a rich dark brown, and I think I will use it again (soon) when I refinish my dining room chairs.
Usually, I would use a foam brush or sponge to apply stain, but for this rough surface, a paintbrush worked best.



After applying the stain, you need to wipe away the excess. In this case, there was not that much to wipe away. This guy was thirsty!
Applying Gilding Wax



If you know me, you also know that I always sneak in a bit of gilding wax somewhere. I could not resist brushing it on all the metal edges and hardware.



It’s a bit flashy, I know. My kids say it looks like a treasure chest.



I do like the new look. It still looks vintage but a little more classy.
I am going to move it down to the basement and use it as storage for all the throw blankets we use while watching tv.



Miss Blossom approves! She is here for it.



She also tried out the inside because it’s very similar to a box, and there are soft and snuggly blankets in there!



Bonus video
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Cara
June 6, 2022I love the trunk make over, I am a HUGE fan of the brass look. I think it is classic and never goes out of style no matter what others say! I also like that Miss Blossom approves. Our animals are such a big part of our lives, and I love it when they sneak in photos.
Marieza
June 6, 2022Thank you< Cara! I couldn't agree more on both the brass and pets.
Cara
June 6, 2022I love the trunk make over, I am a HUGE fan of the brass look. I think it is classic and never goes out of style no matter what others say! I also like that Miss Blossom approves. Our animals are such a big part of our lives, and I love it when they sneak in photos.
Danielle
June 1, 2022This is the coolest find ever! I love that you trimmed the edges in gold! What a treasure! (Pun intended!)
Marieza
June 1, 2022Aw, thank you, Danielle! I am so glad you like it.
Carol Karl | Living a Real Life
May 31, 2022First, let me say that it was a beautiful trunk before the makeover but what you did took it to outstanding. I should be so lucky to find a wonderful old trunk like this one! It’s just so beautiful. You did an amazing job.
Marieza
June 1, 2022I am so glad you like it, Carol!
Lynne Zemaitis
May 31, 2022Such an amazing transformation! I love the stain color and how you applied gilding wax. It looks gorgeous!
Marieza
June 1, 2022Thank you so much, Lynne!
Donna Allen
May 31, 2022Wow! You gave that old trunk a whole new life! Love the color of the stain! I’ve never used gilding wax before, that stuff looks amazing! Thanks, Donna
Marieza
May 31, 2022Aw, thank you, Donna! Gilding wax is amazing! You only need to try it once to be hooked!
Diane
May 31, 2022Another huge victory! I’m going to have to try out their Gel Stain. And that color looks great — no orangey. undertone! Thanks for sharing!
Marieza
May 31, 2022Thank you so much for stopping by, Diane!
Kim Waldorf
May 31, 2022You did an amazing job on this trunk, Marieza! Beautiful! Pinned!
Marieza
May 31, 2022Thank you, Kim! Thanks for stopping by!
Maria
May 31, 2022I like this Golden Ashe color you used from Dixie Belle. I have a soft spot for most shades of brown when choosing furniture. The vintage trunk is perfect for storing blankets and throws in the family room. I also inherited a trunk that was handmade by my late great-grandfather. Over the years it has been in daily use and is presently in my granddaughter’s bedroom as storage for her toys and double as a seat by her window.
Each generation gave it a new coat of paint to suit their decor. At the moment it is white.
Marieza
May 31, 2022Thank you so much for sharing! I love to hear stories like this!
Suzie
May 30, 2022Wow this came at the perfect time. I have an old desk that was given to me by a former friend. My dad disassembled it and had started to strip it. Unfortunately, he passed away before he could finish it. It has been gathering dust and dirt in the garage ever since. I finally decided I am going to finish it. This post has given me the direction and motivation I need. Thank you. By the way, it goes without saying, I think you did a fantastic job on this chest. It turned out beautifully.
Marieza
May 31, 2022Oh Suzie, this means so much to me, thank you! Thanks you for sharing your story and good luck with your projects!
Stephen
May 30, 2022That was one of the most satisfying videos I’ve seen in a long time.
Marieza
May 30, 2022I’m so glad to hear that!