Hello beautiful friends!! Today I’m back to my Shop my own Garage Haul and I’m sharing what I did with this case I picked up for $5:
It’s hard to tell in the before photo, but it is a petite size and I just loved that about it when I saw it! I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
The hard part though was reimagining this one.
How do you even start when you have no clue what you want to do?
For me, I just start painting!
So I gave it a coat of Fluff, followed by a coat of Cotton:
I learned something new by doing this, totally on accident!
I started with Fluff and that totally did the trick…I was able to better imagine what I could do with this case. For my new vision, I needed a brighter white, and I followed up with a coat of Cotton.
Here’s what I learned: Cotton always takes three coats for solid coverage, but Fluff only takes two. It turns out that a base coat of Fluff followed by Cotton saved me a coat of Cotton…I got full coverage! I’ll have to try this with a piece of furniture. I’m always up for working smarter!
After my paint was dry, I sanded all over with 220 grit sandpaper and sealed with Dixie Belle’s Best Dang clear wax.
Then I cut strips of fabric to fit the panels on the top of the case using my rotary cutting set:
This can be used for cutting paper too!
I applied it with matte Mod Podge using a cheap chip brush:
And that was that! No need to apply Mod Podge over the top of the fabric.
THe After
I love black and white toile and I had just enough of a scrap to cover the top of this case.
It is so much cuter now!
You can see and feel the stitched pattern beneath the fabric, but the fabric is busy enough that it totally works!
The inside
And here how the inside looked with that very fancy velvet-ish lining:
I had just enough black and white gingham to banish that:
Thank goodness.
This box would be perfect for storing so many things!
Little gingham check, I love you.
See my tutorial for how to line a box with fabric HERE!
Funny how just slapping a coat on something neutralizes it enough so that you can better reimagine what it could be!
I actually found the gingham check at the thrift store and I also found some of this toile, although my Mom gave me some a few years ago as well, so I’m not sure if this was hers or what I found thrifting. I do know that I only have scraps left!
Here are a few more projects that got a little TLC with the help of these fabrics!
1. Thrift Store Cabinet turned Necklace Organizer
2. Dated Little Rocker Makeover
3. Thrift Shop Shakedown #5 & My $10 Chair Makeover
4. $12 Oak Night Table Makeover
And that’s another one done!
If you missed the first couple, you can revisit them at the links below:
$5 Dressing Table Bench Makeover
Thrifted Metal Wall Decor Makeover and a Brand New Thrift shop Shakedown Video!
Thanks for stopping by today!! It is always a treat when you visit!
I’ll be back with this sofa table a few of you wanted to see redone next:
UPDATE: No need to come back! You can see what I did with this table HERE!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Robin Stephens says
Another triumph! I love the B&W toile. If my memory serves me, the pattern is called “Jamestown.” Very appropriate! I made a window curtain and a shower curtain out of it for our B&W bathroom about 15 years ago. Sold the house w/ those in it….boo hoo. Dang it! What a timeless pattern. Anyway….bravo on the little case. So much love and attention to details goes in to everything you do. ❤️
Christy says
Thanks so much, Robin! The toile really is so timeless and one of my favorites! I know you were sad to let your beautiful shower curtain go! I really enjoyed doing this one!! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Awe it is so cute now. I LOVE how that turned out. You can’t go wrong when you use black and white, it is classic in my book and it will go any where you want to put it. It just shows that when you don’t know where to start, just start!! Good job Christy!!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary!! I agree…black and white is always a winner…and almost like a neutral! And yes…getting started is the hard part, but hopefully the ideas will start to flow! Have a great day!! XOXO
Petra says
Very pretty. You explained it well – that white will neutralise an item enough so you can see what it can become 😀 xo
Christy says
Thank you, Petra! It really does…like a blank canvas! XOXO
Pam Walsh says
Beautiful and love the check too !!!
Would you happen to have any dressers for sale like the one in your picture that is no more than 30 inches ? I guess you could say it is kinda like a bachelor’s chest…. I am looking for a friend??? Have a great week !!!
Christy says
Thank you, Pam!! I don’t have a single dresser at the moment! I can’t wait for the thrift stores to reopen!! You have a great week also!! XOXO
Janice Holt says
So pretty. I thought at first you were putting the toile inside. Was surprised when you put it on the outside and then the check on the inside but it works so well together. Never disappointed. Love it.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Janice! I love these two together too! XOXO
Christina says
Christy this turned out so pretty! I don’t know what I would put inside of it but would definitely have it out to display in all its prettiness! 🙂
Great insight about the Fluff and Cotton. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Christina!! I know I want to keep it just to sit it somewhere looking pretty lol! And yes, I love the accidental info I learned about the Cotton and Fluff! Have a great day! XOXO
Sue H Mellette says
Love the black and white toile on the outside and the black and white check on the inside. You create such beautiful pieces that I would have no idea of what to do! Thanks for sharing!
Christy says
Thank you, Sue!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one! XOXO
Karen from Como says
I have a very similar case and knew it needed an update. Now I know! And I am going to start today. Thanks for the idea.
Christy says
Oh yay!! I love that you are feeling inspired! Have fun with it!! XOXO
Becky says
Well, if that isn’t the CUTEST…!!! I love it!
Christy says
Aww yay! Thanks, Becky!! I love it too!! XOXO
Micah says
Wow you can make anything look amazing! Now I really need to get a suitcase. =)
Christy says
Ha ha! Thank you so much, Micah! I was stumped with this one to start lol! XOXO
Bev says
Again, totally inspired me to redo my little case of Advent stuff. Just didnt know where to go with it. Thanks friend!
Christy says
Aww yay…I love that! You’re welcome…have fun with yours! XOXO
Lorri says
You smart cookie you.. I love it. I have 2 suitcases that need to be done pretty like yours. Unfortunately with this Virus, I dont have fabric to fix it up….but when I can go shop again, I have this in my memory bank.😋
Christy says
Thank you, Lorri! I am running low on fabric here…can’t wait to get out and shop again! XOXO
Jerri says
So sweet!
Christy says
Thank you, Jerri! XOXO
Candy says
This is so cute I love it. I am a huge toile lover so that gives it just the right pop for it.
Blessings, Candy
Christy says
Thank you so much, Candy! I love toile too!! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
Yes! I’ve been looking forward to this case! Love it! I can’t wait to try this on my ugly box case. I have tons of fabric but love your black toile and check patterns. Nice job!🤩
Christy says
Yay! I’m so glad you like it, Cecilia!! Thank you! You can’t go wrong with toile and check! XOXO
Ashley says
Hi Christy! Beautiful job! Love the toile and gingham for this piece. You’ve given it new life!❤️ xox
Christy says
Thank you, Ashley!! I enjoyed this one!! XOXO
Cate says
Isn’t it FUN to not know what to do with something and then have it turn out great?? I will have such a project and then pick out one of my favorite things that could be used in/on it, and before I know it, I’ve knocked my socks off!
You hot this one out of the ball park Christy! Great job, cute as can be!!
Christy says
YES!!!! I love when that happens! Thank you so much, Cate!! XOXO
Marie says
You always do such a beautiful job on these suitcases, Christy! Love the combination of black & white fabrics. So pretty 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, my beautiful friend! XOXO
Robin says
Such a cutie! I would have taken a chance (out of your comfort zone) with this option:
1. Use a buttercream or off-white paint to cover the black portions of the case.
2. Leave the brown leather straps alone (but clean them up).
3. Shine up (or paint) the hardware.
4. Line inside with decoupage floral paper.
Christy says
Thanks, Robin! That would be lovely too!! XOXO
sharon austin says
Pretty cute! I’m currently working on my first silverware chest. Have it painted, now trying to decide on stencil or transfer. Wish me luck!!
Christy says
Thanks, Sharon! You got this!! XOXO
Cheryl says
Love, Love, Love and thank you again!!
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! And you are welcome!! XOXO
Lauriestraw says
I love the little suitcase makeover. I use things like this to keep my knitting projects, needlework, etc separated, and store them in the living room where I work on those projects. I just pile them up, and they look cute!
Christy says
Thank you, Laurie! This is perfect for in-progress projects, and what a great idea! XOXO
Susan Dudley says
Christy you find the greatest things at your thrift stores! I wish I could shop with you but I live in Kansas. I love the little case. The white paint and the toile look so cute but also very polished. . You’ve really got an eye for putting things together. Thanks for sharing that you were stumped and how you “just started” and found your inspiration. It’s nice to know that someone with your experience gets stuck also. Thanks for sharing.
Susie
Christy says
Thank you so much, Susan! We are very fortunate to have such great thrift stores! And yes I do get stuck! I usually have an idea of what I could do when I see something, but sometimes I have no clue so…I just started painting and the ideas usually follow lol! XOXO
Charleen Adams says
What a CHARMER.Toile is so perfect.I used to make tote bags with toile and used different prints for TBE lining. My favorite was a green. With a tiny check. Love your case . I think it’s a keeper. I know you can’t keep everything!!Great job.
Christy says
I’m glad you like it, Charleen! Thank you! I love toile…I bet it was so pretty on your bags! I tried to find a spot for this in our house. I really wanted to keep it, but I could not, so it’s off to the shop! XOXO
Barbara Warner says
What a beautiful repurposed project. I love the white and the toile fabric on the top, and the inside turned out fabulously! You get an A+ in my book.
I can see that secreting away personal photos, letters, news articles, any romantic poems…………. Love it!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Barbara! I appreciate that! It would be perfect for those personal mementos! XOXO
Mary says
Its like a surprise party to scroll down and see the final product of your projects Christy. 💕 This transformation is beautiful! I hope you get to take a minute, take a breath and savor your finished projects as they are very inspiring! 💕You amaze me how much you accomplish too!
Christy says
Aww I love that, Mary!! Thank you so much!! XOXO
Rosie says
Beautifully done! love the way it turned out.
Watching you paint in white inspires me to change everything in my house…. I would be busy for a year lol
Christy says
Thank you, Rosie!! Oh ha ha! It took me a while to get there! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Definitely cuter now. I knew you couldn’t leave that velvety inside! The combination of the two fabrics is really lovely. I’m learning from you Christy – one of my last thrift purchases was a window treatment made from a Waverly toile. Two huge pieces of fabric – not enough for my sliding patio doors, sadly – but enough to cover dining room chairs and make sofa pillows, with plenty left over for other projects.
Christy says
Thanks, Marcie! You know me well lol! And great score…had I been thrifting with you, I might have fought ya for that fabric ha ha!! XOXO
Robyn D Wright says
I was looking forward to this one…and you didn’t disappoint! WOW! Love how the detail pops with the distressing! Fun project!
Christy says
Thank you, Robyn! I really wanted to keep this one! XOXO