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Back Porch Living and an Antique Trunk

By Anita 25 Comments

“Oops, I did it again.”  I am not sure what Britney was talkin’ about, but I’m talking about buying something for my back porch.  It needed something.  I didn’t even know what it needed until I went to the resale shop and found this.

In case you are wondering, “this” is the black trunk.  It’s just so perfect, why wasn’t I looking for a big trunk?  I know, I know, I just got the wicker basket, at the resale shop, and blogged about it here.

But I still needed something for putting my feet on serving drinks and food.  This trunk has lots of character.  It even has a lift out compartment for, I am guessing, your delicates, jewelry, and a section to keep your hat from getting smushed.

Looks like a previous owner decided to touch up the brass detail on the trunk.

The key is long gone, but that’s okay; I don’t need it back here.  I really wonder how old this thing is; clearly it would never have made a weight limit for a plane ride.

 

 

 

It says “S. B. Gomez, Akron, O.” on the side of the trunk.

 

I know I mentioned earlier here that I had used a glaze on my rockers and was unhappy with the result.  This time I went over the rockers with another gray paint, slighter browner and left a lot of the other gray showing through.  I am very happy with the look now.

 

The flowers below are bluebells I just cut from the front pasture here at Cedar Hill.  The enameled bowl is a vintage find and the feedsack (click here to see more feedsacks) on the trunk is from an antique auction.  The vase is from Ikea.

 

I said that the column needed a Boston fern on top, so I finally was able to go get one.

 

To see more of the back porch and the daybed, you can click here and here.

 

I know some of you have wondered what the whole porch looks like, so here it is from the East end looking toward the West end.

It’s 50 feel long and 12 feet wide.  I wanted to be sure it was big enough to spend all day out here if we wanted to.  We don’t live here full-time, so we didn’t build a very large home; it’s only about 1,000 square feet.  So I thought that someday we might want to enlarge the house by converting the porch to an indoor space.  That meant, we needed the porch to be deep enough to work an a bedroom or dining room some day.  But I love the outdoor porches, open to the breezes and the sounds of nature, so the thought of closing it in, doesn’t appeal to me right now.  When I am sitting back here, I love being able to look out our back porch and not be able to see another house.
I always wanted a “wrap-around porch” and I know Mr. CH got tired of hearing that term. Ours doesn’t wrap around all the way, but it is big enough to make me happy.

The porch has three “rooms; in the distance is the dining room, then the living/bedroom with the daybed and rockers, and finally the breakfast room near right.
When I posted about the wicker basket, I asked the readers if I should paint it.  Everyone said, “NO!” pretty much just like that.  So, I didn’t. Ya’ll are the best!!

 

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Filed Under: Antiques, back porch, Feedsacks

Comments

  1. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    June 28, 2011 at 21:43

    Anita, love the old trunk. I have one in the nautical guest room as a night stand and we bought it in the early eighties. It has a compartment in it too and a Dr.’s name on the side and the company that made the name of the company that made the trunk, too.

    Reply
  2. Judy says

    June 28, 2011 at 22:06

    Isn’t that always the way it works? You find multiple things that you really “need” at the same time! Love your trunk….can I ask you what glaze color and paint color you used on your chairs? You remember I’m trying to find a paint color for my adirondack chairs that looks like a stain. From what I can see, it looks like a great color!

    XOXO!
    Judy

    Reply
  3. Honey at 2805 says

    June 28, 2011 at 22:11

    This trunk is a splendid find, Anita. It’s so nice and large and the name of the maker on the side makes it even more special. I really like things that are personalized!

    Reply
  4. Michele Smith says

    June 28, 2011 at 22:58

    I love your new trunk. I just told hubby the other day that I’d like to find one at an estate sale to use as a coffee table or at the end of our bed or something.

    I’ll have to check out that toweling.
    I grew up in the Spring area, both of our parents live in Spring. My sister lives in Humble.
    We plan on going to Brenham to check out some shops as well. We haven’t been there in a few years since we last went camping. My husband’s uncle is retired Sherriff in Hempstead (atleast I think its hempstead, I could be wrong) My grandparents used to have land in Caldwell as well.
    Sorry for my life story LOL

    Love your trunk!

    Reply
  5. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    June 28, 2011 at 23:12

    Love the trunk Anita and I absolutely LOVE this outside room you created, I would spend all afternoon out here!! Martina

    Reply
  6. Penny @ The Comforts of Home/Lavender Hill Studio says

    June 29, 2011 at 00:40

    What a great old trunk! I love your porch…

    Reply
  7. Gypsy Heart says

    June 29, 2011 at 01:12

    Hi neighbor!
    I’m in the DFW area. Just found your blog and so happy I did. I’m a new follower and look forward to getting to know you.

    The trunk is wonderful! I’ve always wanted one but just never have made the commitment to one…yet. Your porch is like a piece of Heaven ~ I can only imagine how much you enjoy it! I do hope that there is a smidge of time you can still be out there although this heat is horrendous.

    Have a wonderful week and stop by and say hi when you can.

    Pat

    Reply
  8. Just Jaime says

    June 29, 2011 at 02:09

    Pretty trunk!

    Reply
  9. Karena says

    June 29, 2011 at 02:26

    Anita I love trunks and this is just perfect!! I am looking for one as a coffee table in my den/office.

    Your outdoor living space is wonderful!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    I have a New, very fashionable Giveaway from the Shabby Apple on my site! Come and enter!

    Reply
  10. Something Nice and Pretty says

    June 29, 2011 at 03:26

    Love the trunk and where you have it, I’m sure it’s old and it wouldn’t have made on a airplane these days! Great find!

    Rondell

    Reply
  11. Amy Kinser says

    June 29, 2011 at 03:49

    What a fantastic place to spend the day. I love that you have three areas worked into it. Love everything you have done..

    Reply
  12. B.B. says

    June 29, 2011 at 03:59

    I love your porch! The trunk is a great piece! Thanks for sharing your lovely porch. I am ready to stop and sit awhile!

    Reply
  13. Tanna at The Brick Street Bungalow says

    June 29, 2011 at 13:04

    That trunk is p.e.r.f.e.c.t.i.o.n!

    I hope you never close in this beautiful porch!! It is wonderful! blessings ~ tanna

    ps thank you for joining up with me… we do have to stick together. LOL!

    Reply
  14. Comeca Jones says

    June 29, 2011 at 13:29

    Your porch is beautiful I am your newest follower!Gonna go browse older post!

    Reply
  15. Screaming Meme says

    June 29, 2011 at 15:22

    I love it, Anita! 🙂 Perfect addition to the back porch….Xo, Meme

    Reply
  16. The Organic Blonde says

    June 29, 2011 at 17:13

    I love that you live in a place where you can enjoy your back patio and I DO love your trunk. I have one fashioned into a wine cabinet that I adore so we have similar tastes! I also like the distressed furniture. I am so happy you stopped by The Organic Blonde. Following you back from Get Wired Wednesdays.

    Reply
  17. The Invisible Woman says

    June 30, 2011 at 03:22

    That trunk is perfect! And, I’m noticing that the “verse of the day” seems to speak to me especially. Thanks so much for how fun your blog is.

    Reply
  18. Robin says

    June 30, 2011 at 04:50

    As much as I love your fabulous trunk (it looks so nice) I have to say I’m in love with your porch! Everything looks amazing and it seems like the perfect place to kick back and enjoy the outdoors.

    Reply
  19. Sue says

    June 30, 2011 at 13:32

    Anita, The trunk makes for a perfect cocktail table! Love how you used the feedsack to top it. I so wish I had a comfy front porch and the weather to go with it. hugs, Sue

    Reply
  20. Shelia says

    July 1, 2011 at 01:04

    Hi Anita! OH, I love your olden trunk and your porch – gorgeous! If it weren’t so hot, I’d pop over and sip tea with you on that pretty porch. I wouldn’t put my most tiny feet up on your olden trunk either! 🙂
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  21. poindextr says

    July 1, 2011 at 13:36

    yes, a perfect addition to your gorgeous porch – that trunk is just the right touch. I was in Adkins (architectural antiques) yesterday to pick something up and spied a large trunk out of the corner of my eye and forced myself not to go over to take a closer look. I was telling myself – it will never fit in the car anyway. OK, even so, I’d so love to have one. Yours looks wonderful!

    Reply
  22. Gracie's Cottage says

    July 1, 2011 at 16:59

    i.want.your.porch.
    really.
    it.is.PERFECT.
    !!

    jan

    Reply
  23. Nook & Cranny says

    July 2, 2011 at 19:42

    Perfect piece for the porch.
    Love the porch. We have one similar, only screened in. We spend all our time outside.
    Happy holiday.
    Michele

    Reply
  24. Heaven's Walk says

    July 3, 2011 at 01:33

    Anita – your porch is absolutely dreamy! The size, the colors you’ve used, the GRAIN SACKS (yeah, I’m a GS addict)…..everything just melts together and is just perfectly styled! Great job, girlie!

    xoxo laurie

    Reply
  25. Ivy and Elephants says

    July 3, 2011 at 03:25

    Your porch is just gorgeous. I am ready to come over there and set a spell. lol. The trunk found the perfect place to be. It reminds me of rummaging through my grandmother’s old steamer trunks (sigh). Have a happy 4th!

    Paula

    Reply

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