Hello, dear friends! I’m back to my haul with a simple but sweet travel case makeover! I believe this is actually a vintage hair dryer case, but we’re going with travel case since there is no longer a hair dryer.
I picked this case up for $5 while thrifting with my niece when she was visiting this summer:
Because this case has a zipper with blue fabric on either side…I tried to tape it off so as not to get paint on the zipper…
Paint
That didn’t work out so well so I ended up painting the entire outside, zipper and all, in this gorgeous Savannah Mist:
It is a soft gray blue color that I just love! It covered pretty well in one coat, but I gave it two.
As soon as the paint was dry enough to touch, I opened and closed the zipper several times so most of the paint would flake away, and the zipper still works great!
(Thank goodness, because I wasn’t sure that would work out so well.)
Smooth
I used a finishing pad to smooth out the paint finish. You can use these super find sanding sponges too.
Chalk paint has a texture to it, so you’ll want to lightly smooth it out for a buttery soft finish.
Embellishing with Transfers
Next, I pulled out a couple of transfers to embellish the front. I used some pieces I had left from the White Magnolia transfer:
And also some pieces I had left from the Somewhere in France transfer:
I love to mix that one with florals.
Seal with wax
To seal vinyl, I like to use Best Dang Wax.
I had my French Tip Brush out from another makeover, so I used that to apply the wax (you could also use a cloth):
Then I used a clean, soft cloth to buff in the wax and remove any excess…
And this simple makeover was complete!
The After
Here is how this cutie turned out!
This would be so cute for toiletries, but I don’t think I would use it for travel. Maybe to hold crochet supplies or sewing notions?
Or it could just sit there looking pretty!
Here’s a closer look at the zipper…
I promise it functions perfectly!
And here is the other side…I did it similar but different:
The inside
The interior was in perfect condition, so I didn’t mess with it all…
I kept the silver parts silver:
It was easy enough to scrape away any paint that got on those parts. I think I still have a bit on there.
And that is one very simple vintage hair dryer travel case makeover!
And one more done!
See anything you may have missed or revisit your favorites below:
Super Easy Chair Makeover
Painting the Smalls #24 (Six mini makeovers!)
How to Update a Silver Tray
Painted Hutch Using Silk Mineral Paint
Update a Plain Box with Paint and Transfers
Vintage Tray/Easel Makeover
Framed Cubby Shelf Makeover
Update a Picnic Basket with Decoupage
Painted Metal Quilt Rack
Vintage Brother Sewing Machine Cabinet Makeover
Child’s Chair Makeover
Painted Console Table
French Provincial Dresser Makeover
I’ll be back on Thursday with these two mirrors plus one more:
UPDATE: See these three mirror makeovers HERE now!
I’ll see ya then!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
EMAIL * INSTAGRAM * FACEBOOK * PINTEREST
Sarah says
Christy, this is one of my all-time favourite makeovers you have done. Everything about it is just gorgeous 🥰🥰🥰
Christy says
Oh yay! I’m so glad you like it, Sarah, thank you!! XOXO
Janette Deans says
This looks gorgeous, love the colour and transfers, so pretty. I have no idea what I would use it for, but it would just look pretty sat there, so sweet.
Look forward to your next make-over, I confess to loving the oval mirror especially, can’t wait. xx
Christy says
Thank you, Janette! Same here…I think I would just let it sit there looking pretty lol! XOXO
Janice Holt says
No doubt this is a vintage hair dryer carry case. It was in great shape because they have not made these in years. I’m old enough to remember them well. Wow how hair products have changed. Anyway, it looks lovely and the transfers just set it off more. Another great job.
Christy says
Yes, I agree! I actually found one years back that still had the hair dryer in it and sold it as is in my shop. It even had the book to it! It makes for a cute little carrying case though. Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
gwen says
I have the exact case but black and thought it was for a hair dryer, but surprised there was nothing ‘attached’ in the inside! I’ve been patiently waiting for you to do this one, I just needed a little inspiration – thanks, it’s absolutely gorgeous! And glad to know the zipper still works after painting it, that’ll make my painting a whole lot easier. Great job Christiy!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Gwen! Glad I could offer some inspiration for yours. And yes, the zipper works great! XOXO
Abbe says
Love it! Who doesn’t need one or more notion boxes?🤷♀️
Christy says
Right?? Ha ha thank you, Abbe! XOXO
Jackie C says
I sure do like this one!!
Really turned out lovely!
Christy says
Thank you, Jackie! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
I’ve always adored these cases since a kid and you did this one right. So pretty!
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
Nana Diana says
Cute makeover on the little train case. I think it looks better with the zipper painted anyway. Have a great day!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Diana! I agree…I originally used the blue so it would blend with the fabric around the zipper…but you see how that worked out ha ha! Enjoy your day too! XOXO
Cyndi says
That is adorable! And I’m glad you went ahead and painted that zipper. Now we know we can jump off that same “cliff” and be pretty confident it’ll be okay. 🙂
Christy says
Ha ha yes!! It worked out great loL. Thank you, Cyndi!! XOXO
Mother Deer says
I’ve been waiting for you to complete this one, since I have the same travel case at home. It really is a travel case; my mother had the set of luggage that came with it, purchased in the 70’s, I think, via mail order. Your final product is beautiful; the transfers you selected are the perfect enhancement. Now I’m tempted to paint mine too, but I still have the entire set of luggage, so I’m not sure that I want to take that much on, since my OCD doesn’t want me to break up a “set.” Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Christy says
Oh yay! Thank you! How awesome that you have the entire set. I might be afraid to stray from the set too, but at least you know what it would look like! XOXO
gwen says
I hear you about breaking up the set! What are you doing with the set? How many pieces is it? I’ve only got this one piece and will definitely be painting it, zipper and all!
Mother Deer says
The set consists of three suitcases, small, medium, and large. They nest together and the travel case fits inside the small suitcase. Right now I’m not doing anything with the set, and had to go out to the garage to check to see if it was two suitcases or three. I really need to do something decorative (and useful) with the set. I agree with you about painting the zipper, it created a professional finish 🙂
Jill Tetsworth says
Beautiful! I’ve been waiting for this since you revealed this haul. I have the same case, only mine is round. Now I know what to do with it. Woohoo. One question – why didn’t taping off the zipper work?
Christy says
Thank you, Jill! I usually use FrogTape for delicate surfaces because I can use it over newly painted surfaces without it messing up the paint, but here I should have used the regular green FrogTape as it just didn’t stick well to the fabric around the zipper. It only leaked under the tape in one area, but I didn’t love that, so I just ended up painting everything. I made sure to open and close the zipper many times once the paint dried and it works perfectly still. I hope that helps! XOXO
Cecilia says
I love its teardrop shape. I can just see the hair bonnet and hose curled up inside…my mom may have had one, lol. Love the updated look for this one – perfect to store things in to keep a spot looking pretty. Glad the zipper still works; I would have been sweating that one as well. Now I’m thinking I need to freshen up my old cases and make them pretty. That will be a good after Christmas project. Two of the suitcases I have hold our board games. Then I have a small vanity case that can’t decide what it wants to hold but then it’s all scratched up. A perfect candidate for a makeover!
😊Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! Perfect…looks like a great after Christmas project! And what a great use for the suitcases! XOXO
D Brossy says
You’ve done it again!!! What a gorgeous makeover!
Christy says
Thank you so much, D!! XOXO
Lizzy says
Really cute and great color.
Christy says
Thank you, Lizzy! XOXO
Michele M. says
Oh my, that looks GREAT! And I absolutely love that color. Well done, Christy!!!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Michele!! XOXO
Karyn says
My mom had the set from Samsonite. I used to play with the (round) case, and the “overnighter.” I love how this turned out. Thank you for not going overboard on the transfers. You embellished just enough to emphasize its shape. I would probably use it for craft and sewing accessories. Great job!
Christy says
Thank you, Karyn! This is a great size for all those toiletries, but I would likely use it for the same purpose you would! XOXO
Caye Cooper says
That is just too stinkin’ CUTE!!! Good job!
I passed one up several months ago because I just couldn’t figure out how to spruce it up and what it would be good for. Darn! If I ever see one again, I’m gonna snatch it up!
Again, thanks for the inspiration. It’s greatly appreciated.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Caye! Oh yes, definitely grab the next one! And you are so welcome…you know I appreciate you too! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Oh my Christy, you did that so beautifully! I love the color and the transfers you used with it, they go perfectly! I had to go to work early today so I didn’t see it till I got home! My day isn’t the same unless I see your post while I am having my coffee before work! Thursday will seem much more normal to me!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Mary!! Ha ha yes I was surprised to see you in my inbox later in the day, but I’m so happy you could still stop by and say hello even if was later. See ya Thursday bright and early! XOXO
MARIETTA Walker says
Well, Christy,
First I want to thank you for making me think of my Grandma. I miss her. She used to say, “You can’t make a nice purse out of a sow’s ear.”
Well, I must say you have repeatedly proved Grandma wrong. You are turning old pig ears into beautiful items every day.
I bow to you! “I’ am not worthy.”
Christy says
Oh my goodness how you make me chuckle! Thank you, my sweet friend! You are the sweetest and a hoot! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
It is just lovely, Christy. The color and transfers suit it perfectly. Good to know about painting the zip, too. I cannot believe you got such a good deal and that it was in such remarkable condition!
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! It was in pristine condition…that was very lucky indeed! XOXO
Bonnie says
What a lovely piece this is. I always love that blue/gray
So many functions this could be used for.
Hugs
Christy says
Thank you, Bonnie! It really could be used for so many things! XOXO