A couple of weeks ago I was doing the thrift circuit and in some cosmic event, each store had the same vintage wicker trunk with brass hardware. In another cosmic event, I restrained myself from buying each and every one. One was too dirty, one was too expensive, and by the time I came across the last one, I had convinced myself wicker trunks grow on trees. Later that day I happened upon this photo and finally all the planets aligned just to blow my mind…
Eclipse! Solar flares! Other stuff I should remember because I took astronomy in college! Whatever. I had a plan, and it involved copious amounts of spray paint and those damn trunks.
Those damn trunks were gone. Turns out they don’t really grow on trees.
Because I always want what I can’t have, I have now developed a mild obsession with trunks. Ok, let me level with you: I MUST HAVE ONE.
Katarina Malmstrom Brown via Desire to Inspire
Misplaced the source… bad blogger.
Guess what? None of these are as good as the pair of shiny BRASS trunks Karly is currently using for her nightstands.
I am hoping she’ll be so knackered from baby tending that she won’t notice me tip toeing around in the dark with a black ski mask on…
I was also watching a brass Sarreid chest on ebay, but homeboy went for $635!!! Do people think I am made of money?
And don’t even get me started about the Restoration Hardware trunks… when I looked at the prices (even on sale), I nearly spit out my precious coffee.
So, long story short: I really should have bought those stupid wicker trunks at the thrift store. Now I am going to have to wait for the next planetary event, which will probably occur approximately 5,692 years from now, and by that time the trunks will be used to hold my ashes.
Dumb dumb dumb.
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Oh man that’s a junky photo of my room, those trunks are clean now.
I saw some faux leather trunks at homegoods on brodie a few days ago. some white and some black. good luck!!
Great post, and great inspiration!!! love the pictures..thks for sharing!!!!
Lord, can I just tell you how much I love your humor. You are so damn funny! Second of all, that trunk you were watching on eBay, I had the opportunity to buy off of craigslist. Dumbass me let it get away. So don’t feel too bad.
Erin, I love all the trunks you’ve shown here, but…wicker? Really? Maybe I’m just suffering PTSD from Pier One in the ’80s but I can’t envision those being groovy. I know if anyone could make it so, it would be you.
You and Ben, both. He HATES the wicker.
But yeah, there is good wicker and bad wicker.
Hello and welcome, cez!
Yea I’m having trouble visualizing this wicker trunk and how it could be awesome. I much prefer the brass look. Or black with brass accents.
I’m sure you’ll use your magical thrifting powers and come across one again! Love them used as nightstands…
I tried to find a picture, but no luck. You dudes are just going to have to trust me. Super clean lines, plain weave, brass Oriental fittings. Would be better painted some glossy color or black.
But if I’m fantasizing, I’d much prefer a brass trunk. Nelya, I also passed one up on CL a year or so ago… what was I thinking?!
Gilt Groupe had an awesomesauce lucite one the other day. Even at the discounted price, it well of $1000.
well *over* $1000
but the thrill of the hunt is what you really like, no?
Will keep an eye out for trunks in thrift stores… which thrift stores in Austin are your favorite? Am always looking for good ones – am still “new” to the thrift scene.
I seem to remember that Morgan of The Brick House had a cool giant brass one, but she might have gotten rid of it by now.
But anyway, you make a convincing argument. They look cool. (But wasn’t there a mocking DC post about Louis Vuitton trunks used for decor?)
Oh, hate the feeling of letting something “get away” fans the fire of obsession, no? Love the metal versions, but all these ideas sound so great!
Cassie, your memory is epic! It’s true — the LV trunks drive me bonkers. Too status conscious. Notice the lack of them in my round up…
Elisa, are you north or south? I like Thriftown and Thriftland, as well as any Salvation Armys. Goodwills suck.
Brass fittings must have made them the ‘good wicker’, I can imagine!
I definitely can relate to the regretting-letting-things-get-away (strange things, like a Rampage floral bustier I saw on multiple trips to one thrift but wasn’t sure which location it was at when I finally decided I NEEDED it). But sometimes I think back to things I did let get away and I’m glad, because it’s like, oh, I don’t love it anymore, good thing I didn’t acquire it!
Hope you’ve been well!!
I’m south – I’ve been to Thriftland, have to visit Thrifttown soon — thanks!
Lookit! Not sure what shipping would be (probably prohibitive) but possibly worth it. I love and visit this store regularly and they have a lot more on site. I cruise the website occasionally too. Saw this and thought of this post. Good luck with your search even if this doesn’t work out. Cheers — Lisa
http://www.swankarama.com/shop.html#ecwid:category=277200&mode=product&product=1003211
Hi Lisa,
Crazily enough, you are not the first person to send this to me! Can I tell you how much I love it? But, yikes I am cheap… Why isn’t it $25?
Thanks for taking the time to write and and hook me up, though — you rock!