That’s right, no shame here. I sure DID pick up a suitcase off of someone’s curb. In fact, I picked up two! I was taking my Mom home the other day and happened through the neighborhood I grew up in when I spied these two lovelies sitting out for the trash:
I’m sure these were all the rage back in the day. I quickly threw them in my car and was on my way.
Today is Trash to Treasure Tuesday and I had another project in mind, but I really wanted to play around with my new luggage. (Plus it really is trash!)
I decided to tackle the smaller of the two for this month’s challenge:
Whatcha think? Better, no? Now I don’t know that it’s ready for American Airlines, but it could be great for storing all sorts of things.
And you could leave it right out in the open!
You may or may not be in the market to paint an old suitcase, but just in case, here’s how I did mine…
To paint this, I first spray painted it with black spray paint. I knew I wanted to sand the edges here and there and I didn’t want the blue to show through. Then I painted it in a mix of Cottage White (Behr) and Pure White made into chalk paint.
I added the stripes using Frogtape for delicate surfaces…
The stripe is Harmony from Country Chic Paint.
For the Paris graphic, I used this stencil from Artistic Stencil Designs.
I used adhesive spray to hold it in place, I just sprayed the back of the stencil. Then I used a small brush and acrylic craft paint to fill in the stencil, brushing away from the edges as much as possible. I’m not a huge fan of the stippled look that you often get with a stencil brush, so I like to use a regular little brush.
One thing I don’t love about stencils is how they look like, well…stencils, with all the breaks in the letters.
So to fix that, I used a liner brush, the same black acrylic paint, and a steady hand to fill in those breaks. I also did the damask flourishes. In the photo below, the left side has been filled in, but the right has not. You can also probably tell that I went along the edges and cleaned them up as well:
Now it looks hand-painted instead of stenciled. After the paint had dried a while, I lightly sanded over the whole graphic with 320 grit sandpaper to smooth out any imperfections.
I finished it off with a coat of Annie Sloan’s clear wax to seal.
Are you ready to see the inside?
Here it is before:
It was in really great condition and had absolutely no odor…perfect. I also like these pull-down thingys…
Probably not as effective as the straps we have in our luggage today though.
Say good-bye to the blue!
I stayed with the French theme with this French graphic fabric from Hancock Fabrics that I have used many times before. (Like on this dresser, and these chairs, and this desk chair, and this dresser, etc)
This would be great for storing a couple of extra blankets close by…
For some reason my youngest always wants to unfold anything that is neatly folded, so my blankets left out in the open don’t stand a chance!
Here’s a quick pictorial for how I lined this suitcase. It would work for a trunk as well.
1. Cut a piece of fabric slightly larger than the bottom of your suitcase and hot glue in place. Cut off excess fabric at the corners if you wish.
2. Cut a strip of fabric to go all the way around the sides. Fold over at the top and secure with hot glue. This will create a neat top edge. Leave enough fabric to fold up at the bottom.
3. Hot glue top edge to inside all the way around.
4. Fold fabric up at the bottom and hot glue fabric strip in place.
You could use this to store so many different things!
My son kept adding characters to the top of the suitcase, having me take pictures so he could see them. That was a purpose I never even thought of for this piece. 🙂 Bonus points if you can name these Lego characters…
The best part of this project is it was free! My favorite kind. 🙂
Guess what? I’ve got four of my thrifty friends sharing their own trash to treasure transformations today.
Click on the links below the collage to take you to the after of each project!
My Sister threatened to post me on FB picking up trash off of someone’s curb. She must not know me very well! I tell everyone myself ha ha!! Have you ever found anything good curbside? Please share!
I’ll be back on Thursday showing what I did with this:
Update: See it here now! 🙂
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Email * Facebook * Pinterest * Hometalk * Twitter * Instagram
I love to share at these great parties:
The Happy Housie Design Dining and Diapers Liz Marie Blog Funky Junk Interiors Savvy Southern Style Tatertots and Jello DIY Show Off Between Naps on the Porch Just a Girl and Her Blog Sand and Sisal Interior Frugalista
Cathy says
Hi! Love, love the suitcase makeover! I also have some of the fabric that you used, love that, too! I have three suitcases and want to paint at least one of them. I wanted to ask why you spray painted it black first? Keep up the great makeovers & styling!
Thanks,
Cathy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cathy! I planned to sand the edges a bit here and there and I didn’t want blue to show through, so I spray painted it black first. 🙂
Addie says
Why that little brain of yours never stops!!! LOVE the transformation!!! REALLY love the inside too!!!!….and your soooo fast!!! You should post yourself on the outskirts of a landfill…
a one-woman crusader to save the world of junk!!!!!
Addie
Christy K. James says
Ha ha thanks, Addie!! I could be dangerous in a landfill lol!
Carole says
I love the transformation of the blue suitcases. They turned out just right. I could see them in a spare bedroom, left open, with things a guest might need or want stashed inside. Great job again.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Carole! I love the idea to fill one for guests!! XO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Oh my, what a find, Christy! Those blue cases would have flown out of my shop, but ooh, la, la, the new one is perfect! Great job and thanks for sharing all your tips.
Christy K. James says
Oh oops lol. Guess I didn’t know what I had here! These were in really great condition too! XO
Sue says
Great job Christy!!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Sue! 🙂
Laura Lane says
I hope you keep that Christy!!! That is the best find I have seen in a while. I wish I had your neighbors. lol You better keep this one….it looks good right there by the table. 😉
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Laura! I rarely find anything good on the curb… this was a lucky find for sure! I plan to sell this one, but may keep the larger one! 🙂
Aleksandra says
You are so funny, Christy! My husband also had no shame actually CHASING someone who was going to dump this gorgeous (but filthy!) vintage circa 1930s trunk, right in the middle of Manhattan. Its been in my basement for a month now, and you gave me an idea of what to do with it! Yours turned out beauiful, as always!
Christy K. James says
Ha ha thanks, Aleksandra! I bet that trunk is awesome!! Good job, Hubby! 🙂
Candy says
This is so cute, I love all of your projects, absolutely beautiful!
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks so much, Candy! XO
Cindy diy beautify says
What a fantastic transformation! It’s such a cute and functional accent piece now!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cindy! It’s a far stretch from where it started! 🙂
Lindsay Eidahl says
It is so cute! Curbside shopping is my favorite, but around here right now, there isn’t much out there. You can do so many things with suitcases! You found a couple of gems! Great project!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Lindsay!! I rarely find anything other than old fencing on the curb, so I was super excited to find these!
Lisa Johnson says
That is fantastic! Love it!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Lisa!!
Barbara says
Love your suitcase makeover! Wow! You did a fantastic job painting and “relining” it. I love the script fabric and anything to do with Paris! Keep up the great work.
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Barbara!! I have a soft spot for anything French-inspired as well! 🙂
Cindy Mansfield says
Brilliant!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cindy!!
Wendy says
Great look for the suitcase Christy. I see this type of look all the time at our local HomeSense store here or Marshalls perhaps? Paris chic was in last year hot and heavy and still is. I have a few pieces reflecting this Paris theme for my kitchen.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Wendy! I’m a sucker for French-inspired décor. 🙂
girlfromwva says
LOVE it! now maybe i am ready to tackle a suitcase i got from a yard sale for next to nothing. thanks for all the ideas and items that you used!
Christy K. James says
Thanks! Go for it! XO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
I just love your fearless thriftin’ ways!!! 😉 I would so do the same though! I have no shame either! Love the suitcase, sooo pretty now! The inside is the icing on the cake!
And yes to connecting the stencil, does look hand painted now.
xo
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Girlie! I have zero shame ha ha!! XOXO
Natalya says
Wow! What a great transformation! would love to do one with my hometown’s name on it.
Couldn’t tell from the pictures, was the suitcase hard-sided and covered in leather?
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Natalya! That’s a great idea! This set is hard-covered, but it isn’t real leather.
Brenda Young says
I Always find the best stuff curbside, and get giddy over those treasure finds! Great makeover I sure would have snatched those up as well great find, I’m jealous.. lol
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Brenda!! I don’t usually have much luck finding good things curbside, so I was really excited about these! 🙂
Paula@SweetPea says
Great makeover! I got lucky before Christmas and found a beautiful leather-like vintage suitcase in a trash pile. All I had to do was clean the outside and air out the inside. A lady bought it to use for jewelry storage. I really like how you updated both the inside and the outside of your suitcase.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Paula! What a great find for you! XOXO
Heather @ Viral Upcycle says
The suitcase is adorable! I wasn’t really into suitcases, but maybe I am now. Beautiful job!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Heather! I have always wanted to redo one for some reason, so I was pretty psyched to find these! 🙂
Lauren says
Sooooo cute, Christy! I love how you did the inside with the stamped fabric!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Lauren! I just couldn’t get away with leaving the inside blue lol!
Shirley Dunn says
You did an amazing job & it’s beautiful inside as well as outside. Xx
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Shirley! XO
Wendy Johnson says
“To paint this, I first spray painted it with black spray paint. Then I painted it in a mix of Cottage White (Behr) and Pure White made into chalk paint.” I am not very crafty so can I ask why you painted it black first?
Christy K. James says
Sure, Wendy! I knew I wanted to sand the edges here and there and I didn’t want blue to show through, so I spray painted it black so that would show through instead.
Tania says
It looks Great! I love how you did the inside too!
Tania
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Tania! Any excuse to use my favorite fabric! 🙂
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
That is beyond fabulous – love what you did to this vintage suitcase! When I was actively doing real estate home staging we would often jump for joy when we shopped the home and found old suitcases to use as end tables, etc. The neighbours would have heard us screeching for joy had we stumbled upon one this gorgeous!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Marie!! I have always wanted to have a go at a suitcase, so I was super psyched to find these little cuties! XO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
This is fantastic, Christy! Can’t wait to see what you do with the other one! I’ve painted a suitcase before but I had no clue what to do with the inside- yours is perfect! <3
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Jen! This is totally you with your love of all things Paris! 🙂
laura@duke manor farm says
your suitcases turned out amazing. PS- your neighbor called and wants them back!
Christy K. James says
Bahahaha! They’re not gettin them lol! XO
Donna Wilkes says
With or without the Lego people, this is a lovely transformation. Truly trash to treasure. Pinning and sharing.
Christy K. James says
Ha ha thank you, Donna! XO
Cynthia - Clockwork Interiors says
Do I win a French suitcase if I say Gandolf, Wild Style and Batman (he’s very dark, you know!) 😀 And would you guess my kids are in college and high school?!!
Seriously, what a great project. Thanks for the tutorial on lining the suitcase. You really did a great job! “Everything is Awesome!” …. I think it’s only fair that you have that song in your head, as well! haha Take care, Cynthia
Christy K. James says
Ha ha you totally win, and thank you!! “Everything is cool when you’re part of a team!” 😀
BeckyKay says
My goodness! That is incredible. What a fantastic transformation. I’m really impressed with how you did the inside. I’ve tried to strip the inside of one of these suitcases, and finally gave up! Never even got to the re-lining stage!
Christy K. James says
Thanks again, BeckyKay! Luckily the fabric in this case came out really easily! XO
Lauri Kunze says
I’m so glad I found you! I first saw your suitcase makeover featured in my daily Hometalk email and now that I see your project gallery, I’m a big fan! In a sea of creative talent represented on Hometalk, your projects really stand out. The suitcase became my new must-have item so I went out and found one and can’t wait to get started.
Christy K. James says
Oh that is awesome, Lauri! Thank you, I’m so glad you found me! That suitcase was so fun to redo. I have another one waiting for it’s big makeover. I’m gearing up for March Madness now where I share a thrifty makeover every day in March. It’s a lot of fun! I hope you’ll come back and visit often. 🙂