Once reserved for high- quality menswear, the popular houndstooth pattern has resurfaced in home decorating. You can spot this traditional Scottish textile pattern almost anywhere these days, including on pillows, throws, linens and decorator fabrics.
Taking cues from this trend, I recently refurbished an antique trunk inherited from my grandmother. Like me, she was a self-taught furniture restoration hobbyist. She paid amazing attention to detail, and did a marvelous job giving the trunk a crisp, clean look using a black-and- white color scheme.
While the piece was splendid, I wanted it to be the focal point in a sitting room, and wanted more pop. But my grandmother surely put a great deal of time and earnest effort into the original restoration, so I was hesitant to entirely cover up her work.
The solution: A roll of houndstooth holiday gift wrap (in red and green, of course) inspired me to add a black houndstooth pattern atop the trunk’s already pristine matte white finish. That enabled me to preserve my grandmother’s work while at the same time taking the piece up a notch in terms of interest.
YOU WILL NEED
An old trunk
Basic cleaning supplies
Houndstooth stencil (These are available at art supply and craft stores. There are also a number of designer stencil websites with a large assortment of stencils ranging in price from $10 to $80 depending on size and detail. Or, if you are making your own stencil, you can use Mylar, a fine-tip marker, a cutting mat and X-acto knife.)
Painter’s tape
Black latex paint (satin finish)
Second, base-coat color paint (latex, satin finish)
Stencil brush
Spray adhesive
TIME: 4 hours (not including drying time)
COST: $45 (not including cost of the trunk)
DIRECTIONS
Step 1:You may have an old trunk begging for a face-lift. If not, search the stalls of your local flea market or antiques mall for one. Look for a trunk that will require minimal prep work, meaning the surface material and hardware are in good shape. (Trunks that are in bad shape may require expert restoration.) You can find dozens of trunks in one antique mall alone, so don’t settle for the first one you find. A trunk that simply needs a thorough wipe-down and a quick cleaning is ideal.
Step 2:Prepare the surface for painting. Scrape away any dirt or peeling paint with a bristle pad, then dust and wipe clean. Cover any hardware you do not wish to paint with masking or painter’s tape.
Step 3: Paint your base-coat (non-black color) and allow to dry for 4 hours.
Step 4:Lightly spray the back of your houndstooth stencil with spray adhesive. Apply the stencil to the surface of the trunk. Using a stencil brush, fill in the houndstooth pattern with black paint. Gently remove the stencil and move across the surface, painting in the pattern until the design is complete. Allow paint to dry.
Step 5:Enjoy your new/old steamer trunk! I believe my grandmother would approve.
Stacey JohnsonStacey Johnson is a longtime hunter of secondhand treasures and an expert in “artful upcycling.” She is the curator of several vintage stores at Mile High Marketplace including A Paris Apartment, one of roughly 400 shops located in the complex, near Interstate 76 and East 88th Avenue. Information at . To reach the writer: stacey@milehighmarketplace.com
