Steamer Trunks ... suggestions???

[canesisters]

I was yard-saleing this weekend and drove past a yard with 2 old steamer trunks sitting by the road. I just wanted to LOOK at them, so turned around and went back. As I was opening and closing the drawers and seeing visions of 1930 travel movies in my head, the man sitting at the table nearby yelled over, "Those are kinda cool arent' they." I said "Ohhhhh yes! They really are."
He held up his open hand and said "Five."
I'm thinking five hundred for the pair...? Kinda steep but what do I know. I started out with $40 cash for the day and had spent a good chunk of that already. I just smiled kept playing with them.
"Each", he yelled.
The leather coverings were cracked and a couple of the drawers needed minor repairs. The fabric inside was faded and one of the latches was broken... I smiled and shook my head "Too steep for me today. But they're really nice."
"Five DOLLARS each" he yelled.
"I'm sorry? Did you say five DOLLARS?"
"Yep. Each."



"I'll give you $15 if you'll help me load them in the car!"

One is a little bigger than the other. They are not perfect, by a long shot. Both look pretty much like this.

They're sitting in my tack room right now until I can figure out WHAT to do with them.
Any suggestions??

So far, the best I've come up with is (after repairs and recovering the interior) to set them side by side in the dining room, mount a shelf just over them and use them like a side board - with table cloths on the hangers and placemats, napkins and such in the drawers. Special serving utensils and extra silverware in a drawer.....

HELP!!! They were just TOO COOL to leave by the side of the road. And for $10, I just couldn't walk away.

 

[bobm]

If you make repairs, they will loose value. Put an add on Craig's list with a price of $500 each and when the sell , you will have bragging rights to the " Craig list and other bargains " thread.

 

[ninnymary]

I have a steamer trunk that is a little bigger and different than yours. I chose the flat top instead of the hump one. I paid $85 and use it to store blankets inside and as a side table in the living room up at our cabin. I've been meaning to restore it a little but that's another project. I would like to see the oak wood cleaned up and stained. I don't care about it's value, I just love it.

Mary

 

[Collector]

They sure are nice and full of possibilities. I would lay it down and use it for a coffee table like Mary. Or just stand them in an unused corner.

 

[AMKuska]

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/79446380898863308/ I love this idea! Seriously, take a quick peek at pinterest and you are sure to find a good idea for those trunks.

 

[Nyboy]

cane love your idea to use in dinning room !!!!! linens on one side silverware other side !!! The reason some trucks have hump top is so boat crew could not stack anything on top while trunk in cargo.

 

[Nyboy]

cane any problems with odors ? lot of times they pick up a musty smell

 

[Beekissed]

My brother has one like that, but more huge, fancy and elaborate...was in his old house when he bought it. I recently found out he had tried to sell it in a yard sale once for $20 and had no takers. Well, his current girlfriend loves antiques and put the quietus on that right away. She too is struggling to find an idea for hers/his....I say use it for what it's supposed to be used for. Park that puppy in the corner of the bedroom and fill it with clothing and other bedroom flotsam...those drawers are perfect for socks and undies. Would be darling for a guest room too. Would even be great if one had a large bathroom, for storing towels, washcloths, toiletries, etc.

They look interesting when closed but are so much more utilitarian when left opened.

GREAT score, BTW!!!!!

 

[Beekissed]

This looks exactly like the one I had years ago, though the green paint was more faded and it had dings and scratches, of course....exact lovely green hue, though. I used it for years as extra storage and a coffee/end table. It's the one my Mom got the bright idea about painting one day...ruined it for me. I sold it for cheaps in my yard sale after that.

 

[canesisters]

@Nyboy , they smell a little mothballish, but not bad. I don't care about the 'value' since I'm not planning to sell them. But I do want them to be useful.
My brother in law had a good idea. I have a chair sitting in the corner next to the sliding glass door. My barn jacket hangs on it, the dog's collars lay in the floor in front of it (they wear invisible fence collars when outside). There are some towels folded up under it for wiping wet dogs down... He said I should set one there and keep all that stuff organized in it. GREAT IDEA!! I can keep the flashlight, bug spray, gloves & hat...