Did you go to summer camp?
I did – and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I remember packing my trunk for camp. It looked just like this trunk I turned into a coffee table:
I am participating again this year in the Thrift Benefit for Sheltered Animals. Animal rescue is a cause near and dear to my heart. I have worked with rescue groups and rescued many animals over the years, including Bear (the dog who doesn’t eat pizza) and Hank (read their stories here and here). The benefit involves shopping at a thrift store that benefits animal rescue, finding something to transform, transforming it, and then blogging about it. I’m adding the step that I’m going to donate my project back to the thrift store, so they can reap the benefit twice!
I shopped at Second Life Thrift Store in Avondale Estates, GA. I found this camp trunk for $7.99!
It was in need of some TLC, but I knew it would make a great table.
I cleaned it up first – including airing it out for several days outside! It was, ahem, a tad musty. I also vacuumed the inside a few times.
Then I added chunky casters to the bottom of the trunk. I screwed them into each corner, using screws and nuts to fasten them to the trunk.
Then I added handles to the sides. I just used cabinet pulls. (If you want something more heavy-duty, use something other than cabinet pulls. I’m not lifting the table with these; just moving it from here to there.)
I cleaned it up and it was ready for our porch!
I love it. It reminds me of camp. Plus, it’s great storage for outdoor pillows, plasticware for eating out on the porch, or outdoor toys.
Alas, though – I am not keeping it. I’m giving it back to Second Life so that they can sell it again. So, go buy it! It’s for the animals!
Do you have an animal rescue story? Share it below in the comments – I’d love to hear it!
A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.
I did go to camp! Lots of good memories for sure. Love your trunk, what a find! Super cool with the handles and casters now! Donate it back, love that idea!
Thanks, Therese!
Karen, if I lived closer I’d be buying that trunk coffee table from Second Life! It would look fantastic on our porch! Thank you so much for joining the Thrift Benefit again this year and for doing the video! Same time next year?? Hugs! ~Jeanette
What an awesome redo!
Thanks, Meagan!
Your trunk immediately reminded me of camp! Adding casters to the trunk is a great idea. I’ll bet it will sell quickly when you donate it back. I’m also donating my project back to my local Humane Society thrift store.
Thanks, Paula! I loved your chair and that you are donating it back!
I have a trunk just like yours, though I never had the chance to go to summer camp with it (bummer). Anyway, love that you added casters and handles, such a great idea to turn it into a coffee table, I wouldn’t have thought of that. Very cool that you are donating it right back to the thrift store!!
Thanks, Amy! I love this benefit and all the cool projects – like yours! – for it!
this is fabulous! I’m officially on the lookout for a trunk now! Love that you added casters and so nice thatyour re-donating it will definitely fetch a nice price! 🙂
Thanks, Christina! I hope so! If only you lived near Avondale Estates, this could be yours! 😉
Love the added casters …and the trunk!! And it’s so awesome you are re-donating it!!!
Nancy
Thanks, Nancy!