Hello, amazing friends! I’m so glad you stopped by today! We played hard this past 4th of July weekend, and today is Brennan’s birthday, lucky 7-7! So today, I’m bringing you a fun round up post that includes six FANTASTIC vintage suitcase makeovers!
I don’t know about y’all, but I am always drawn to these older suitcases for some reason. They probably won’t be flying American Airlines after their big makeovers, but they provide great additional storage that you can leave right out in the open!
I’ll begin with the oldest one I’ve redone and work my way forward.
Enjoy!
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Six Vintage Suitcase Makeovers
Vintage Suitcase Makeover #1
Up first is the larger of this pair of suitcases that I originally shared an entire decade ago! I spotted these while my mom and I were driving through the neighborhood I grew up in:
Nothing beats free, and these were in pretty good condition!
This one might also be my favorite of the bunch!
It started with a coat of black spray paint:
I went back and forth with this one but ultimately followed that up with a color similar to Dixie Belle’s Fluff, adding that blue (similar to the blue used HERE), and then the black stripes…
And as you can see, I had already started the transfer method of applying graphics to the front of this suitcase, which I filled in by hand with a small brush:
The After
Here is how this one looked when I was done:
So cute, right?
I brought that pretty blue to the ends as well, and you can see that black is peeking through instead of the original blue…
I really love this effect I got on the top totally by accident. The black spray paint must not have been completely dry, and it caused the next layer of paint to crackle:
I probably couldn’t replicate that if I tried!
The Inside
Here is what the interior looked like before:
It had definitely seen better days. I removed the divider and lined the the rest with this simple patterned black fabric:
(I share how I lined it in the next makeover.)
See more of this original makeover HERE.
Vintage Suitcase Makeover #2
The smaller of this pair started off very similarly except it was in much better condition than the first one:
This one was also painted in a color similar to Dixie Belle’s Fluff with a grain sick stripe added similar to French Linen:
Then, I used this Paris stencil to embellish the front:
The After
Stencils were great options for updating pieces before we had transfers, etc…
The Inside
Here is what the inside looked like before:
I removed that divider as well and added a coordinating french inspired fabric:
See how I lined these suitcases in the original makeover HERE.
(Or wait for number four for a more detailed tutorial!)
Vintage Suitcase Makeover #3
Suitcase number three started out green and was one of two green vintage suitcases I found at the thrift store that day. This one was $4:
I started by hitting all the edges where I would eventually distress a bit, in the same satin black spray paint using my small spray shelter:
Then, it too was painted in a color similar to Dixie Belle’s Fluff.
Instead of adding a design to the front this time, I chose instead to add this buffalo check fabric that had also been thrifted!
The After
Here is how this one ended up:
I love this one too!
I also made and added the #5 tag to the handle. I have no idea why I chose that number lol…
The inside
Here is how the inside of this one looked before:
It was in pretty good shape, but it didn’t quite match the new exterior, so I fixed that:
Visit the original makeover HERE.
Vintage Suitcase Makeover #4
This is the other one I found on the same day at the same store:
This one was also only $4.
I also gave this one a quick coat of satin black spray paint using my small spray shelter:
This one also got painted in the same white…it’s just such a great base for whatever you want to embellish with next!
I also added gray stripe and a blue stripe the front of this one…
I’m pretty sure I was channeling the very first one here. And that was all this one got.
The After
Super simple!
The inside
Here is the before of the inside on this one:
But the new interior is so much prettier!
See more of this makeover as well as a more detailed tutorial on lining these suitcases HERE!
Vintage Suitcase Makeover #5
At number five is this vintage suitcase that looks almost identical to the last, except it’s a bit smaller. It was $5 at a yard sale:
It was a bit bashed in on one side where the latch was, but I was able to whack it back in place.
Then, it got painted…you guessed it, in Fluff by Dixie Belle!
I decided to embellish the front and back using this Overflowing Love transfer (sadly no longer available):
The After
Here is how this one looked when I was done:
It turned out so feminine and pretty! I added more pieces of this transfer to the corners…
And the opposite side got a slightly different look:
The Inside
Here is the inside before as I was removing it:
And the after might be my favorite of the bunch!
This was a shower curtain I found at the thrift store probably a decade ago!
So pretty!
See more of this makeover in the original post HERE.
Vintage Suitcase Makeover #6
And finally, this one was in the worst condition to start:
Here’s a better look at how bad it was:
Dusty, crusty, and rusty! Can you even believe they had the nerve to start out asking $14.95 for this??
This one was the most intimidating of them all!
All of these suitcases got a good cleaning to start, but this one most definitely needed it the most, using White Lightning to scrub the heck out of it…
Then, this one was painted in a coat of white Rustoleum spray primer to start since I wasn’t exactly sure where I was going with it next:
Would you believe I based coated this one in Fluff too?? I then highlighted the sides and handle with Caviar…
To bring this one to life, I used a transfer, this gorgeous Queen’s Glory transfer I added to the front:
All of these suitcases were sealed with clear wax:
The vinyl takes paint and wax very well!
The After
Here is how this one turned out:
So sophisticated now!
I embellished the other side with different pieces of this same transfer:
The inside
Here is what the interior of this one looked like before:
Not much better than the outside!
And here it is after:
Toile to the rescue…
See the original makeover of this one HERE!
And that’s six vintage suitcase makeovers!
These are such great blank canvases, so I rarely pass them up when I see them. I don’t find them too often though.
Do you have a favorite? Share in the comments!
I’ll be back on Thursday with a fun, crafty project using this $1 frame from my current haul:
I’ll see y’all then!
UPDATE: No need to come back, come get crafty with me HERE now!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Oh I remember every one I have been around so long! I love them all so much, fun to see them again! I also have a son with a Birthday today lucky 7-7! It is also my second born, (Had 4 in total) only my 7-7 Baby is turning 40 today! Wowza, if that doesn’t make me feel a little old! LOL
Christy says
Ha ha, you have been with me for the long haul and I love it! You know I appreciate you so much! Oh how funny is that? Lucky 7-7 for sure! Brennan is 16 today! XOXO
Denise Dorn says
I know I have said it before, but I have to repeat myself — your attention to detail and your designs are absolutely amazing. What you did with those suitcases is beautiful. I just love how you even finish the insides with such care. Thank you for sharing your ideas and work! Stay well. Denise
Christy says
Aww I truly appreciate that, Denise, thank you so much! These are so fun to reimagine! XOXO
Cecilia says
Dang, every time you show an old suitcase, it reminds me I have some waiting for their makeovers. Lol. I just need to suck it up and start. I love the one with the roses. The inside is so pretty with the repurposed shower curtain. They make great storage pieces – mine are currently holding games. Sooo, I am inspired now to get mine done!
😄Cecilia
Christy says
Ha ha…maybe you were meant to see these today! They really do paint up so nicely! Using them to store games is a great idea! Thank you, my friend! XOXO
Nana Diana says
OMGOSH! Each one outdid the last one. Those all turned out fantastic. Wouldn’t it be fun to find one that had old travel letters in it? John’s grandparents were world travelers and we have several logs spelling out their itinerary. I’m sure they carried luggage much like that-no wheels or rolling carts back then.
Have a wonderful week. Diana
Christy says
Aww I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Diana, thank you! How fun it would be to pour over those travel logs to get a glimpse into their travels! Enjoy your week as well! XOXO
Lorri says
I have fixed up two suitcases and painted them in Cotton. I finished the insides with really cute pink fabric and stacked them one on top of each other. Love them because the hold so much stuff.. I have all my papee and little frames in them. You were the inspiration for me to do this all those years ago. Thank you Christy!! My favorite is Suitcase 5..the white one with the cute pink fabric inside. 😍
Christy says
Oh yay I love that! They really can hold so much! And I love that one too! Thank you, my friend! XOXO
bonnie mcdonald says
I honeymooned 56 years ago with suitcases identical to #4 and 5. Only mine were not the adorable “after” you created! But at least the marriage is still intact.
Christy says
Oh I love that ha ha! I’m so happy to hear the marriage outlasted the luggage! XOXO
Sharon Austin says
I actually own the whole set of #4 (2 cases w/train case). Gifted to me when I was a young, young girl by my uncle. I’ve always treasured them since he’s long gone, and wonder if I could bring myself to upcycle them like this?!
Christy says
Oh that’s awesome that you still have the whole set! I get it…they’re not like wood that you can just sand later, but I bet you could make them really cute! XOXO
Rhonda says
Great transformation on all. I think my favorite is the last one
Christy says
Thank you so much, Rhonda! That was a great one since it started out so badly lol! XOXO
Liz Shivel says
Hi Christy, I always love the suitcases you do! I can’t really pick one because they’re all great! Although maybe #2! You always work on the smooth sided cases, but have you worked on any where the exterior is rougher finish, like a houndstooth, which is rougher? Maybe do you treat them more like working on a basket with that texture? Also, how do your customers use your beautiful suitcases? 😎
Christy says
Hi Liz! Thank you so much! I usually pass on the fabric type ones. You could probably still paint them, but I haven’t tried. I’m not sure how my customers use them, but they are pretty to stack in a corner and can hold so much, so they make great additional storage that’s pretty too! XOXO
Laura J. says
LOVE all the suitcases & once again my favorite is a tie – the blue & gray striped suitcase and the pink floral one! Just so pretty!!! Can you believe we used to lug these heavy suitcases back in the day?!!! Happy bday to Brennan!
Christy says
Thank you, Laura! I love those too and actually kept the gray, and blue striped one! I don’t know how ya’ll lugged these around ha ha! Thanks for the bday wishes! XOXO
Jewels L says
Wow and double WOW! Every suitcase is so awesome! I can’t possibly choose one as I love them all! Your paint colors, designs and fabric choices are so perfect on each one. I would buy them all. Great job!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Jewels! They are so fun to work on! XOXO
Melanie says
Hi there, love all of the makeovers. I have sn old train case waiting for me to do! Question: did you ever have to deal with funky odors that can be trapped in the cases? If so, how did you treat that?
Christy says
Thank you, Melanie! I haven’t had an issue with that that I can remember. Try sprinkling baking soda in there to absorb the odors. Then vacuum. I would also leave it open for a bit after to further help it air out. XOXO
Jessica Atchison says
That #6 suitcase didn’t happen to be full of vintage X-Men comic books and 1980’s and 1990’s baseball cards did it? 😀 I had that exact suitcase when I was growing up and when I outgrew it I started using it to store my comic books and baseball cards. It disappeared one day and I never found out what happened to my collection!
Christy says
No, it was empty when I bought it at the thrift store. Had it been filled, I’m sure they would have emptied it out before selling it. What a bummer! XOXO
Janina says
Such lovely transformations! And those interiors are delicious. I especially love the very feminine one with the roses.
You have such great imagination to come up with all your designs, Christy! It’s always a pleasure seeing your work, even if I don’t always comment.
Happy summer! And Happy birthday to your beautiful birthday boy!
💖💖💖
Janina
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Janina, thank you! And thank you for the birthday wishes, my friend! XOXO
Anita says
Thanks for re-sharing these vintage suitcases. They are so special. My favourite is #6 — I love black toile, or any colour of toile, actually. Such a great way to re-imagine these old treasures.
Happy birthday to Brennan! My daughter is a 7-7-7 baby, born July 7, 2007. She turned 19 yesterday. In Canada, 19 is sort of equivalent to 21 in the US. Crazy how the years have gone! Our kids grow up and we grow old. 🥳
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Anita, thank you! #6 was a good one for sure, especially seeing how far it came ha ha! And how cool is that? 7-7-07?? I remember visiting Quebec when I was only 18, and I was able to legally drink…so funny!! I had Brennan later when I was 38, so I’m feeling quite old lol! XOXO
Anita says
Yes, that’s right. In Quebec, Alberta, and Manitoba, the legal drinking age is 18. In every other province in Canada (I’m from BC), it’s 19. I was plenty old when I had my kiddos — 35 for the first and a few days shy of 37 for the second. Just the way it worked out in life for me. Thanks again for revisiting these vintage cases. So special. ☺️
Christy says
🩷🩷
Michele M. says
Oh Christy, what a tough one to choose a fav….but I guess the Maison de Gros one – ? It wouldn’t go with anything in my home but how CUTE CUTE CUTE it would be at a teahouse or a sweet girlified cottage!!! I love the floral interior of it and love pink and light aqua together. SO cute.
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! I thought that one would be the perfect case to store doll clothes or dress-up clothes, but it sure would be so sweet in a girlified cottage! I love that one too! XOXO
Kathy from JAX says
Yes, I’ve been around the block a few times and I, too, remember all of these. What beautiful designs you made and even the insides are gorgeous. You always make us think that we can do it too….giving us the confidence to try creating ourselves. One day I’m going to get to your shop. Maybe the next time I’m in VA.
Christy says
I can’t believe some of these are aver a decade old lol! Thank you, my friend! Y’all can absolutely do it too, and it would be awesome if you got the chance to visit my shop! XOXO