A Vintage Suitcase Makeover
Restore an old and rusted vintage suitcase into a brand new looking piece of luggage. Learn some techniques to help makeover your vintage piece.
I restored an old and rusted vintage suitcase into a brand new looking piece of luggage. This makeover isn’t too difficult and doesn’t have to be perfect because the imperfections add to the vintage charm.
Guess where I found this old thing?
If you have been coming here at all for any length of time you will know it came from my basement. I am starting to believe that everything from the dreaded basement must be vintage. This old suitcase was in really bad shape. It had scratches all over and the metal framework holding it together was bent out of shape.
I certainly had a big job ahead of me. But if there is one thing I love, it’s a good challenge. And so we begin with my vintage suitcase makeover.
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How to Paint a Vintage Suitcase
I started with the sides and painted them using my favorite Enchanted by Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint from DecoArt. It went on nice and smooth and I ended up using 2 coats. I created my own color because I’m a pain like that. I mixed in some white to the Enchanting to make a really soft olive color.
The next step was to take care of those awful looking corner bumps. I used DecoArt Metallic Lustre in Burnished Brass and rubbed them to a fine sheen. I think gold would have been too much in this case.
I used the same polish on the inner frame parts that close. In order to get straight lines, I pressed up a piece of cardboard on the edge and then just painted along.
The edge clamps were also treated in the same manner.
The outer framework was refreshed with a black acrylic color.
Now for this vintage suitcase, I had an old world look in mind. You’ve seen those old suitcases that had straps on them. Well, I wanted to create that look. I taped them off and painted them with my Enchanted color. Painting these straps gave me a backache. But one must suffer for one’s suitcase.
I then had to go back and retouch up some areas. As one point, I remember taking a hammer to the areas of the frame that were bent out of shape. You can see below that it is still out of shape, but that is as good as it’s gonna get. Anyway, I want you all to remember that it is a vintage piece. Can’t make it too perfect or it’ll lose its charm.
And here she is, my beauty!
Doesn’t she look just spiffy?
I am really loving the contrast between the brass and the black frame.
I chose to leave the bottom blank. No point in breaking my back all over again.
At one point I had considered painting the straps all around the vintage suitcase but realized that the clasps were not symmetrical. They were placed at different dimensions away from the ends of the suitcase. Even the central edge clamp was off center. You can see it here where it is not centered with the handle, whereas the bottom clamp is.
By painting the stripes all around, I think it would have called more attention to the irregularities of the suitcase.
While working on this project I found a site on the internet, Brettuns Village, which restores trunks and old suitcases. It is very informative (that’s how I learned the names of all these pieces) and it even has a page on how to restore your own vintage piece.
Of course, I’m not finished yet. I’ll show you what’s inside very soon.
I really love the softness of the color, it makes the hardware look so clean and the brass stand out. I would definitely consider this vintage suitcase makeover a trash to treasure project. Do you think I chose the colors well? What about that brass? Do you have any old pieces like this?
And now for some rest…
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I love seeing transformations like this and the creative mindset to see the potential too!
jemma
That is something that had to be cultivated Jemma. I didn’t have this ability before I started the blog. But now, all this exposure to so many creative ideas has also helped me to develop and in turn create. Thank you Jemma.
I have decided your basement is magical Mary – a constant source of delight. Love what you did with the suitcase, and cant wait to see inside!
I have to agree with you Sarah. Linda thinks I can pull a bunny out of there so we will have to see.
The suitcase turned out beautifully!!! I love the colors! Looking forward to seeing what’s inside!
Andrea as I am answering you I am having an identity crisis. Should I go with my original plan or change it up to another idea that I have? So many decisions this is what happens when you spend too much time in other blogs. lol
Mary, this is marvelous! If this is what you find in your basement — lucky you! Thanks for the link. Fun information on old suitcases. Can’t wait to see the interior!
Thank you Snap. I think if we open our eyes and look outside the box there are many possibilites that we can imagine that were not there before.
She is indeed a beauty Mary! Love the transformation. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thank you Cindy, I am so glad she didn’t end up in the dump.
whoa – I am so impressed with the way it turned out – such a far cry from where it started – I love it. thanks for sharing, i found you at #WayWow
Thank you for your reaction Debbie. If nothing else that was a big transformation from the hot mess it looked like before.
What an improvement! It turned out great.
Thank you Kim. I am really glad it is finally finished and now I can enjoy it.
Your trunk turned out so beautiful. I just love old trunks. Can’t wait to see what you do on the inside.
Bev
Beverly this one had seen better days but not with me. It must have been from when my FIL had it and traveled to the US with it.
You went and done it again Mary! Is there nothing you can’t do??
Your basement is a treasure trove :).
xxx
You just never know what I am going to come up with. I was down there the other day and spotted a big old gate but the hubs won’t let me have it. ;(
Can’t believe the difference in the before and after. You are a miracle worker. Congrats!!! Susie from The Chelsea Project
Thank you Susie, the miracle is that my back didn’t go out after standing over it trying to paint that stripe.
That looks fantastic Mary! Pinned 🙂
Thank you Maureen, it was well worth all of the detail work to end up with something so nice.
Mary, I love what you did with this. It does look spiffy and you were able to retain the vintage feel. Awesome Job! Thanks for sharing with us at #SimplifyWednesdays
Pinned, Shared, Tweeted, Stumbled
I really wanted to give you a sense that Indiana Jones was going to walk in and grab it and run off on some adventure. Thanks Carla.
Trash to treasure once again. Beautiful work!
Thank you Cathy. This one took some time but it was worth it.
Holy Cow, this doesn’t even look like the same suitcase. I love decorating with old suitcases and what you did with this one is amazing. Great job as usual!
Nor would we have wanted it to look anything like it’s former self Sherry. It was pretty awful.
Wow!
You’ve done a fantastic job with it!
Thank you so much Maya. Sometimes you can work on a project and feel like you are wearing yourself out for nothing but once it’s done and you see the result you realize it was worth it in the end.
I have a similar suitcase and wonder what to do with it. Your I really like.
Holly I hope I have inspired you. I also have a link to a cool trunk restoration company that also offers lots of tips and ideas.
Mary, your basement is full of treasures!! That suitcase had potential and you did a great job. Love the brass color and as you know, I’m a huge fan of stripes. So pretty!! A real trash to treasure, good job as always.
I am so relieved to have finished it. It turned out to be much more work intensive than I had originally thought. Pili, I didn’t know you were a huge fan of stripes. I learn something new every day.
Mary, Can I come and spend some time in your basement? You really have some fabulous treasures down there. The suitcase color is lovely and such a fun makeover. Looking forward to seeing the inside 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us at Brag About It!
~Laurie
I would love to have you visit my basement Laurie, if you don’t mind that musty smell. I’m sure we can find a treasure or two to restore.
Hi Mary,
Your vintage suitcase turned out beautiful! I would have never thought of painting a suitcase, but it looks great. I like that you choose the more suptile brass, rather then gold.
I believe that chalky type paint is the miracle worker. It can be applied to anything at all. So I was not in the least bit worried about this.
Definitely from trash to treasure!!! Love the colors you picked, they gave it just the right touch of vintage. Thanks for sharing at TaDa Thursday!!!
Thanks for confirming that Susanne. I wanted just that right touch as if Leo himself was going to take it on the Titanic.