One thing I have learned through the years of sourcing and reselling is that if I really love an item, it is okay to keep it for my home and sell it in the future if I tire of it. Such is the case with this rustic, vintage, homemade trunk that I thrifted a month ago. I decide it would make the perfect coffee table for my sectional sofa.
It is simply made from plywood and is quite rustic, but I loved its aged, oiled patina and that it provides a coffee table with both form and function. I want a coffee table that can BE USED--feet can be put up on it (so NO glass), it can hold cups of coffee and cocktails without fear or ruining it, and it provides a place for functional items such as books, readers, and remotes.
This trunk table does all of that PLUS it has storage. No staged photos here either--we use this space daily. We love lots of squishy pillows and cozy blankets on the couch and furniture pieces that are for living. This is the view of the back from the couch. I love the rusticity of this piece in juxtaposition with the lighter, more modern sofa and the traditional rug. It adds warmth and character and grounds the space. To style the top I used a thrifted wood tray with an interesting shape and a lighter wood color to stand out on the darker trunk top. You want something with a little height on the table--I used a thrifted, utensil basket with branches for winter. A candle add glow and a lovely scent on cold winter days, and a small photo clip with black and white polaroid pictures from our town (a gift from my daughter) sitting on a vintage, unframe, thrifted cross-stitch also sit on the tray. The fabric adds a bit a softness and a different shape to the vignette. I will change out the fabric and what's in the basket and the candle color and scent with the seasons. On the other end sits one of the books I am currently reading, I typically read 2-3 books at a time, the TV remote and my old lady readers, and a brownware bowl with coasters in it. This rustic trunk really doesn't need coasters, but I still like to use them to prevent rings. Atop the coasters sits a heart rock from my summer travels. I am so happy I chose to keep this piece for now, I really am loving it and, I really do use it to put my feet up!
