How Eduardo the Antique Trunk Became a Bookshelf: A Makeover Story
Our guest room has a new occupant and I’m just a little excited about it…
This is Eduardo.
Sure, he’s got baggage. After all, in his previous life, he was a trunk.
He looked like this when my husband brought him home several months ago.
And even though he looked rough, we knew on the inside he was full of potential.
So, over the past few weeks, we decided to invest a little time in him and see what he could become with a little T.L.C.
We waxed him up on the outside…
And removed all the junk from the inside…
Then Dave made him a nice new liner and cut some shelves to fit…
And I got busy painting and giving him some new legs.
And when he was all done, he had become the perfect piece for our Vacation Cottage Guest Room.
And now Eduardo the trunk has become Eduardo the bookshelf.
And a very handsome bookshelf he is, too. (If I do say so myself.)
I love that his new interior gives him vintage charm,
I think he’s gonna like it here.
To see more of our guest room (featured in this year’s Feb/March Issue of Cottages and Bungalows), click here.
I’m sharing this story with a few of these friends.
Sourcesand stories:
The liner for the trunk is a custom-printed piece Dave made (he’s in the graphics business), but fabric or wallpaper could be used for a project like this as well.
We bought the legs at Home Depot for around $3 each.
Shelves and legs spray-painted in Rust-oleum’s Satin Heirloom White.
Shutter above and items on the shelves were all thrifted or gifted.
Rug under the desk is this one from Ballard Designs.
Find more about all other pieces in the room in the previous guest room posts!
Rachel R
August 9, 2013 @ 1:40 am
Amazing!! Love it! And the gorgeous room as well đŸ™‚
-Rachel @R & R Workshop
Julie
August 9, 2013 @ 2:07 am
Thanks, Rachel! So glad you like it!
Rachel - Adventures of a DIY Mom
August 9, 2013 @ 2:16 am
Gorgeous! I love the vintage feel. Pinning!
Julie
August 9, 2013 @ 2:22 am
Thanks, Rachel! I love the vintage feel, too!
Full Circle Creations
August 9, 2013 @ 2:31 am
Absolutely lovely!
Julie
August 9, 2013 @ 2:43 am
Thank you! I'm really enjoying it đŸ™‚
Joselyn @ The DIY Spot
August 9, 2013 @ 3:14 am
What a phenomenally cute idea! It is so adorable.
Julie
August 9, 2013 @ 12:57 pm
Thanks! It was truly a joint effort by me & my hubby!
the junk in our trunks
August 9, 2013 @ 4:59 am
That is the coolest idea. I so may copy you some day. Thanks for sharing your brilliant idea!
Julie
August 9, 2013 @ 12:57 pm
Awesome! I'd love to see someone else's version of one!
driftwoodesign
August 9, 2013 @ 5:10 am
I love a great furniture repurposing!!
Kristy @ 4 the love of WOOD
Julie
August 9, 2013 @ 12:58 pm
That makes 2 of us! đŸ™‚ Thanks for stopping by!
Susan D
August 9, 2013 @ 1:27 pm
I love this! The trunk is amazing, but what you did to it is amazing!
Julie
August 9, 2013 @ 5:21 pm
Thanks, Susan!
Spittin-Toad
August 9, 2013 @ 3:51 pm
LOVE IT!!! I pinned it to my Awesome Furniture Board. đŸ™‚
Denise
Julie
August 9, 2013 @ 5:21 pm
Great! So glad you are inspired!
Beth@Under A Pile of Scrap!
August 9, 2013 @ 11:08 pm
Oh my goodness! I'm pinning it and I have a trunk that I started redoing, but hadn't put the legs on yet for a coffee table….but now it just may go in a whole new direction – literally!
Julie
August 10, 2013 @ 1:31 am
That's great! I'd love to see yours, too, when it's finished!
Brenda Young
August 10, 2013 @ 4:01 am
Great Job, pinned! Love the pinstripe liner choice
Julie
August 12, 2013 @ 1:01 pm
Thanks! I love the liner, too đŸ™‚
Katie Murphy
August 10, 2013 @ 4:35 am
This is awesome and has so much character! Pinned đŸ™‚
~Katie @ Upcycled Treasures
Julie
August 12, 2013 @ 1:02 pm
So glad you like it!
DesignedByBH
August 11, 2013 @ 4:35 am
Yeah, I love it! I think it's great that your husband seems just as "in-to-it" as you are! Thanks for sharing the story!
Julie
August 12, 2013 @ 1:02 pm
You're welcome. I think we make a great team đŸ™‚
Jenna LaFevor
August 12, 2013 @ 1:19 am
This is a genius idea and so full of character!!! Love it! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
Julie
August 12, 2013 @ 1:02 pm
Thanks, Jenna!
Therena Taylor
August 12, 2013 @ 3:47 am
Just Fabulous…and SO clever!!! I love it!
Julie
August 12, 2013 @ 1:02 pm
Why thank you!!
Naomi Novella
August 12, 2013 @ 12:13 pm
I loved this so much I added you to my weekly arts and crafts round-up on my blog this week! And a link to your site. On Artbiz Rx
Naomi Novella
Julie
August 12, 2013 @ 1:03 pm
That's so sweet! Thank you!!
olga
August 12, 2013 @ 1:48 pm
I love this! I have a trunk that I've been thinking of turning into a storage Ottoman, but I couldn't figure out how to get the legs in securely. Did you glue the boards in the bottom before screwing in the leg bracket thingys?
Julie
August 12, 2013 @ 2:31 pm
No, we just used the screws for the brackets to hold the shelves in as well. Good luck with yours!
Angelique Stevens
August 12, 2013 @ 5:14 pm
He is beautiful! I am giving an old 1940's Steamer trunk a facelift right now. We call him Stanley because there was an old shipping tag still on the exterior. It was last shipped from Germany to Indiana in 1954. There were several layers of shipping stickers underneath. The owner was Sgt Major Stanley. That's all we know about our trunk. The exterior was a mess though, so he has to be painted. I'll be posting about him next week sometime. It's been a long and loving process restoring him.
Julie
August 13, 2013 @ 7:58 pm
That's great! I love it when pieces have some history. I'd love to see yours finished!
Toodie
August 13, 2013 @ 4:55 am
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love this! What a great combination of vintage and charming! And I love your story. Please, oh please, can I love Eduardo from afar?
Julie
August 13, 2013 @ 7:58 pm
Ha! Glad to have you in the fan club đŸ™‚
Randi@SowderingAbout
August 16, 2013 @ 4:02 am
I freaking love this. Like totally love this. I want to make you my feature this week, you just have to link up!
http://www.sowderingabout.com/2013/08/on-display-monday-14.html
Julie
August 16, 2013 @ 5:54 pm
Ha! Thank you! I'll get over there & link up đŸ™‚
upcycledantiquesblog
August 16, 2013 @ 2:44 pm
I LOVE this! I have done several trunk repurposes (bench,coffee table,ottoman, etc) but this is WAY cooler! Fortunately, I have a trunk I have set aside and have done nothing with since I couldnt decide on my next project and wanted something different…bookshelf it will become!! đŸ™‚ I am in love!! Thanks for sharing~! I shared this on my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/upcycledantique.
Julie
August 16, 2013 @ 5:57 pm
That's awesome! I would LOVE to see your version when it's done!
Sayuri
August 16, 2013 @ 3:26 pm
What a great and cute bookshelf he has become!!
I love your idea so much, I might try that next time I see an old trunk đŸ™‚
Thank you for the inspiration!
I'm going to share it on my Facebook page Vintage Breeze.
Have a great day!
Julie
August 16, 2013 @ 5:57 pm
Thank you so much!
the cape on the corner
August 16, 2013 @ 6:40 pm
now this is truly amazing. I love that you used him like this, in the corner. the whole room is awesome.
Julie
August 17, 2013 @ 12:54 pm
Thank you! So glad you like it. I love how the room has come together đŸ™‚
Dear Emmeline
August 16, 2013 @ 7:57 pm
Fabulous transformation!! What a great repurpose.
Julie
August 17, 2013 @ 12:55 pm
Thank you!!
Kari-Anne
August 16, 2013 @ 11:44 pm
Fantastic job! Thanks so much for sharing your talent and finished product.
Julie
August 17, 2013 @ 12:55 pm
You're welcome! Thank YOU for stopping by đŸ™‚
Jessica
August 22, 2013 @ 3:23 am
Seriously awesome! LOVE it! I want one back….really, really, bad.
Anne
November 25, 2019 @ 12:20 pm
I just love what you guys did with this old suitcase; it will help to do mine!
Thank you.