Trunks & Chests FAQ's
Q: I have an old family trunk. I think it's wood and metal, it's painted and rusty. What can you do? Can you restore it?
A: Yes, over the years we have finished many trunks and wood boxes. many are family heirlooms. We can replace leather handles, metal handles, casters, leather straps, locks and latches. We can strip off the old paint, remove the rust from the metal, stain and spray a finish to your liking. We can line the bottom half with cedar to turn it into a great storage place at the foot of the bed. Your flat top chest can have legs added to become an end table, or glass added to make a sharp coffee table, or leave it plain inside to use it with the lid open to display your old things.
Q: Should I work on my trunk to make it look better?
A: It depends. Most trunks were made after the start of the Industrial Revolution and there were literally hundreds of thousands of them made. The average steamer trunk, in good condition, might be worth $300 to $500. Restoring or refinishing it might raise its value to $800 or even $1,200 -- if the restoration is done right. But if an amateur restored a high-quality trunk, it might reduce the value. In fact, you might do damage that could never be undone. Before you work on your trunk, consult an expert. It probably won’t cost you anything and might very well save the value of your trunk.
Q: I just refinished a trunk and my niece has asked me for it. Should I give it to her?
A: You should always give a refinished trunk to any family member who asks for one. It will keep you busy well into your twilight years.
Q: What’s all the hoopla about antique trunks?
A: Trunks have come into their own in the last ten years and people are really excited about them. They are no longer stuck away in attics or rotting in cellars. People have come to value them as both useful and decorative – and as history. You can turn a flat top steamer trunk into a distinctive coffee table or use a dome top trunk to store your winter woolens or quilts.
Q: What do you need from me then to get an estimate without bringing the trunk to you?
A: Good photos, all four sides, top, bottom and inside. Please point out anything we might not see in the photos. What color paper to reline with. Any special instructions (such as "leave Grandma's initials on the left end").