MAKING A RUG CHEST

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 451, 5 September 1928, Page 7

MAKING A RUG CHEST

USES OF A TRAVELLING TRUNK

One of Penate’s friends recently wanted a chest in which to store her l-ugs and blankets because there was no room for them in the cupboards of her diminutive flat. She found that an oaken one, such as she tried to buy, cost a good deal more than she could afford, so she had to set to work to evolve an efficient substitute. So, for a few shillings, she purchased a second-hand travelling trunk —one of thase old-fashioned affairs covered in shiny black cloth. It was decidedly unattractive in “appearance, though strong and well-preserved. She cleaned it well inside and out, removed the handles from each side, and the clasps for the straps in front. Then she gave the whole thing a coat of dark jade enamel. When that was dry

she applied a second coat, left that to dry as well, and added a final coat on top of the first two. . She painted all the edges—that is to say the curved upper edges, and £l the side edges— with vermillmn enamel' which looked decidedly rich with the dark jade background. Two coats proved sufficient, and then a large copper clasp was fastened to the froSt edge of the lid. This was picked up very cheaply in a bric-a-brac shop onri though it didn’t act as a clasp for thfs partfcular chest, it added the finishing touch to its appearance. A series of gay flower posies were nainted on the trunk —one on top, and one each side. Orange, yellow, purple, royal white, and vermillion were all blended into the different flowers, and they looked very gay and cheery when they were all painted in. Twopenny “sample” tins of the various coloured mmmels proved enough for the job. S tock several days to finish as each shade had to be left to dry before the others could be added. . The “artist” lined the trunk with ~ mho casement cloth, nnd the peacoc - e looked delightful arrged under a bold landscape wood- ,? S ir, her little sitting room. Four wooden ball feet (bought for threepence each in the local carpenters vard) were fastened to the lower cor- ™ of the chest- and when painted hfde greerPtP match the trunk, added Jhe last touch of distinction.