This is an article published in 1959 that provides a full set of instructions detailing how to clean up and refinish an old wooden chest. It also gives instructions for adding a decoupage design inside the lid.

Linen Storage With Decoupage Lid

Have you ever stopped to think there might possibly be a valuable piece–if not an heirloom–going to waste in the attic, basement or garage?

If nothing more, surely there is an old trunk which at one time belonged to an ancestor. If so, the time has come to rescue it from its “depression,” wipe away the cobwebs, remove the paint splashes and oil spots.

Here’s how to go about turning it into a useful linen storage for the guest bedroom.

• First of all, old ragged canvas must be ripped off and wood sanded both inside and out. If there are any traces of paper remaining on lid and inside of trunk this must be removed.
• Use fairly coarse sandpaper (not too coarse or it will scratch, for old wood is soft and once scratches go very deep they are difficult to remove).
• When wood is completely smooth, rub with fine steel wool to bring out the grain.
• Clean hardware and sand off rust spots. Wash trunk, including hardware, with spirits of turpentine.
• Chances are, the tray will be missing. Since trays were made of light weight wood they seldom held up to the wear of the trunk. But one is easy to assemble of light material and may be copied right down to the small compartment with tiny lock and key (this may be found at most hardware counters in variety stores).
• Apply maple oil stain to outside of trunk with a small brush. Let stand 36 hours. Then apply a coat of floor seal. This gives a surface which may be washed with damp cloth. It also preserves the wood which may crumble with use. Paint inside of trunk and tray bright yellow, blue or red. Paint hardware black. It is wise to apply a coat of floor seal to inside as well.

Now that the refinishing is completed, give thought to the lid. Here’s a good suggestion–decoupage is nothing new–but it is an art which many people have never tried.

• Cut a piece of showcard stock to fit into lid. This may be of the same color as the inside of the trunk is painted or a complementary color.
• Do not glue lid in trunk until design as been applied. Seed catalogues have beautiful flowers for this particular work.
• These may be made up of one kind of flower, such as roses, or it may have a variety of flowers in the design.
• Cut the flowers out and place them on the showcard stock until you have a pleasing arrangement. Then apply them with rubber cement. The more colors you can manage to work into the arrangement, the more natural will be the bouquet.
• Now apply glue to back side of showcard stock and slip in lid. Press down with hand, making sure showcard stock and lid make contact.

Let trunk stand open until glue has had time to dry. This prevents weight of lid from causing it to pull loose. When it is completely dry it may be sprayed with varnish or lacquer.

Source: The WorkBasket Magazine, October, 1959

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