DEsiGn MADE EAsY Our

active time 25 miN

materials

• Luggage rack • Tray • Scissors • Staple remover • Dropcloth • Spray paint • Hot glue • 4 brass corners • Gorilla glue

custom tray table

A luggage rack can quickly become a permanent home for your favorite decor. 1 Start with a tray the same size or bigger than the top of the luggage rack. Place it upside down, then fip the luggage rack upside down and center it on top of the tray. 2 Use a pencil to mark where the top of the luggage rack sits on the back of the tray. 3 With scissors, cut the fabric straps of the luggage rack and carefully remove any staples. 4 Protect your work surface (preferably outdoors) with a dropcloth and spray-paint the luggage rack; let dry completely. 5 Hot-glue brass corners (from $2.99 each; at hardware stores) to the tray’s bottom corners. 6 Apply a thin line of Gorilla glue (it expands as it dries) to the top of the luggage rack and, using the pencil marks as a guide, adhere the rack to the tray. Weight the legs until the glue is dry. 7 Flip the table right-side up and place next to a bed or sofa to corral knickknacks. 1 Open the trunk and measure the interior length and width, then subtract ⅛" from both measurements (to allow room for fabric) to get the dimensions for the seat and the backrest. 2 Next, measure the interior height of the base of the trunk, then subtract 1" to get the dimensions for the seat supports. 3 At the hardware store, have 2 pieces of plywood cut to the seat and backrest dimensions and 3 pieces of plywood cut to the seat support dimensions. 4 Attach the plywood seat supports (they should be evenly spaced) inside the base of the trunk by drilling two 1½" corner braces (from $2.67 for 4; at hardware stores) to both sides of each support. 5 Cut 2 pieces of upholstery foam (from $40.23 per 18" x 82" roll; amazon.com) to the seat and backrest dimensions. Then cut 2 pieces of fabric (from $12 per yard; joann.com) that are 8" longer than the foam pieces on all sides. 6 For the seat and backrest, lay the fabric face down, then center and stack the foam and plywood on top. Wrap the fabric back (like a gift) and staple to the plywood. 7 Push the backrest inside the trunk top and the seat inside the base. 8 Drill the heavy-duty 3" corner braces (from $4.97 for 2; at hardware stores) to the back of the trunk lid, then prop it up at a 90-degree angle and secure the other side of the braces to the back of the base. 9 Add a pretty throw pillow and position the bench in an entryway or mudroom.

extra seating

Convert a steamer trunk into a modern bench with vintage charm.

active time 1 Hr 15 miN

materials

• Trunk • ¾" plywood • Twelve 1½" corner braces • 2" upholstery foam • Upholstery fabric • Staple gun • Two 3" heavyduty corner braces • Drill