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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Mary, this is so neat! I love the stripe detail you added – it really gives your suitcase that extra touch! The metallic paint on the hardware is a very pretty touch, too. Thanks for linking up with Merry Monday!
Thank you Emily, I was really going for that old world look. I wanted to be true to the piece.
Mary, your basement is amazing. I’ve been dying to ask and keep forgetting, but who put all those Treasures down there? Are they old family heirlooms?
I love old suitcases, and you have really turned this into something special. I also love the contrast with the black and the brass. And the stripes really sharp!
And add the Romantic touch to your Seaside home. Great job.
Yes that is exactly what they are. Many of them were accumulated from the grandparents and a lot of them were also put down there by us when we had no place else to put them. It is like a catch all for the stuff we don’t know what to do with.
It DOES look spiffy. I think you made the perfect colour choices. You’ve almost convinced me to get to work on restoring my own trunk.
I would love to see that Stella. I did another trunk with book paper and decoupaged the whole thing. Now that was a huge project. But I don’t like the black look anymore with the rust. I can’t wait to see yours.
I can’t believe the outcome of this makeover you made a great job. Thanks for sharing at Inspiration Galore Projects.
Thank you so much Fabiola, we can never underestimate the power of paint.
Lol…finally found the end to the comment bar! 🙂 Awesome piece Mary…love how you freshened up the case!!! Paint colors are an awesome blend to bring it back to life!!!
Also, LOVE the NEW LOOK to your blog too!!!
Yay, all that scrolling can be exhausting. I am so glad that you like the new look of the blog. It really needed a makeover. just like the projects. And I also love blending colors. to create my own. So much more interesting.
I just love old suitcases. I once looked all over a flea market to find one. Finally did! Love what you’ve done with this one! Thanks for linking up at Welcome Home Wednesdays! See you tomorrow.
Erin you should do a makeover on yours. Or maybe it is in such great condition you don’t need to. I hope so for your sake because this one gave me quite a work out.
Wow! That is absolutely beautiful Mary. What a wonderful job you’ve done. I’ve got an old suitcase like that. I might just be tempted to make it over. I’m featuring your post at tomorrow’s party Mary. Thanks for linking up!
Anne @ Domesblissity
Ohh Anne I would love to see your take on an old suitcase, although I suspect it might look like mine. I know you are a lover of all things vintage. Thank you so much for the feature.
Yes, she does look spiffy, Mary! Great makeover–love the grain sack style stripes and the green shade you chose. Thanks for linking the project up with us at Vintage Charm 🙂
I’m really loving that green shade too Diana. It is such an unusual color for me but it looks great on that suitcase.
You did a lovely job on this suitcase makeover. I love the green you used for the grain sack stripes and the gold on the trim. Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle.
Thank you Sharon. I am really glad its over and happy with the results.
Mary, you never cease to amaze me with your creativity! I think this is my favorite project of yours yet. What an amazing transformation! This is definitely a showstopper! You make me wish I had an old suitcase like this just to give it a makeover, haha.
Maybe I can look in my basement to see if I can find one for you too Celeste. Thanks for your sweet comment.
Mary, she really does look spiffy! Imperfectly perfect!
The power of paint Jean!
That was pretty good transformation <3
Thank you , it was worth it!
It looks fantastic! You can barely recognize where it started from. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
It looks so much better! I would never have noticed it’s slight lack of symmetry , who knew?!
Mary, this came out beautifully! I did something similar and I just luv them! Thanks so much for sharing with Wall to Wall DIY Wednesday! Pinned.
Looks great, Mary! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Mary, there is something wonderful about old suitcases. They almost demand a story to be based around them, and the secrets they hold.
We will feature this makeover suitcase on the next Blogger’s Pit Stop.
Kathleen
Thanks so much Kathleen!
Congratulations on being featured at the Creative Circle Link Party! I absolutely love this project! <3
What a lovely makeover! I love every details. Thanks for sharing at Totally Terrific Tuesday!
I never would have thought to do such a thing but it certainly is beautiful.