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This trunk is designed to store linen at the foot of a bed, but is also the right height to be used as a seat or coffee table. The distressed paint and aged brass fittings add a traditional finish.
Step 1: Assemble the Box
Step 2: Add the Top and Base
Step 3: Cut the Lid from the Box
Step 4: Attach the Skirt
Step 5: Attach the Trim
Step 6: Cut the Inset
Step 7: Apply the Stain
Step 8: Overlay the Color
Step 9: Attach the Hardware
Produced by Darryl Chapman
Position the sides against the front to make five evenly spaced 1/16-in. pilot holes using a three-in-one drill bit to countersink and allow for plugs. Position the back against the sides to repeat the pilot holes. Apply adhesive to the sides and secure with screws.
Apply adhesive around the base of the box to position the base, securing to one side with screws. Pull the trunk sides into square and secure at the opposite side and the top. Smooth the overhanging edges flush using a finishing sander.
Use a circular saw fitted with a fence set at 3 1/2-in. from the blade to cut around the box to make the lid. Mark 3/4-in. from the top of the open box, reset the fence and trim the box. The trunk's final dimensions will be approximately 16-in. wide x 16 3/4-in. tall x 48-in. long.
Cut the skirt pieces to fit around the base with 45° miters at the ends. Mark 2 1/2-in. from the base of the box, apply adhesive then position the skirt to overhang the base by 1-in. Tack the skirt with finish nails. Apply adhesive to each miter face.
Cut the trim molding to fit around the box with 45° miters at the ends. Apply adhesive to the back and ends, securing it to the box with nails and removing excess adhesive with a damp cloth.
From each end of the skirts, mark 4-in. and square a line along the skirt 1-in. up between the marks. Use the base of a 1-pint paint can to mark a curve, and trim using a router with a straight cutting bit.
Fill the screw holes with plugs and apply pine-colored wood filler to any blemishes, smoothing with 180-grit then 240-grit sandpaper. Apply dark gel stain all over, one face at a time, using a sponge brush and blending with a cloth.
Seal the surface with a coat of shellac then apply a coat of acrylic paint. While the paint is still damp to touch, rub with a damp rag to expose some of the brown stain underneath and highlight the molding details. Finish with a coat of dark wax.
Create an antique finish to shiny brass hardware, first remove the lacquer with paint stripper; then, soak the brass and screws in a brass-aging solution until discolored. Next, lightly buff the brass and screw heads using fine steel wool. Wear gloves to protect skin from small fragments of steel.
Fit surface-mounted hinges to secure the lid then attach handles, hasp and staple, and decorative top corners. Brass screws are soft and easily damaged so drill pilot holes and secure with a hand screwdriver.