Gabbing On

Blanket chests have been a significant part of the furniture used in homes for hundreds of years. Nothing can beat the simple design of a wooden box that is capable of being closed with a hinged lid for providing plenty of storage. The blanket chest has the added advantage of being of a shape that can be used in other circumstances such as a bench seat or an impromptu table.

A typical size for the blanket chest is around thirty inches high and around four feet long. The exterior of these chests are often given some type of decoration so that it is more than a simple box. These decorations might include rails or bands or sunken panels. It is also usual to find the chest with some kind of hand painted design on the front so that it will blend in with the surrounding atmosphere of the room.

Carvers have also done their bit to improve the façade of the chests with some intricate designs etched into the sides or the top.

Basic chests have evolved to include extra pieces such as drawers that were placed in the bottom creating more specialised storage options.

Chests and trunks have long been an important part of carrying items around from place to place, first as luggage items and later as simple storage and collection boxes. The idea to decorate them came later with the sides of the boxes creating a perfect canvas for such ideas.