Don’t you just love old suitcases? The look, the feel, the stories…
I do! I love that they have travelled the world and held the cherished possessions of someone special. So… when a friend asked if I could do something with these old suitcases that belonged to her parents I jumped at the chance to make them into a wonderful piece that she could keep forever. 
She wanted them to be made into something that she could use in a corner of her Dining Room as a statement piece. Her only “asks” where that they be dark in colour and look like something that had come from a Bombay catalogue. 🙂 
Instead of using traditional paint on the vintage suitcases to make them darker and a little more uniform, I used General Finishes Java Gel Stain to “paint” them. Yep, stain. It was a bit of an experiment since the suitcases were vinyl, but it ended up turning out fantastically! 
To stain the suitcases a darker colour (but allow some of the pretty original colours to peek through) I used a sponge brush to paint on the stain and then used a cotton cloth to rub it in. I worked in small areas at a time and the stain adhered beautifully. 
To make the vintage suitcases into a side table, I needed to add some legs to give the stack some height. I had been saving some reclaimed wooden legs that fit the bill perfectly! 
To attach the legs to the largest suitcase that would serve at the bottom of the stack, I measured and marked off where I wanted the legs to be then drilled holes through the vinyl with a drill bit slightly smaller than the screw on the legs. 
The legs were then “screwed” through the holes and a washer and wing nut added on the inside of the suitcase to hold the legs in place. 
After the legs had been attached, I gave them a coat of the General Finishes Stain so that they blended in with the stack of suitcases. 
To simulate the old leather straps that used to be around suitcases, I made two “straps” out of chocolate coloured ribbon. 
After the straps were in place, I used a little Fusion Antiquing Glaze on the silver clasps to make them look a little less “new”. I’m telling you… I LOVE that Antiquing Glaze!
The ribbon straps worked perfectly to hold the stack together and added another dimension to the side table. 
The hardware on the suitcases was so beautiful and had such a lovely patina that I did nothing to it. It was just too pretty to change 🙂
I am just so in love with these suitcases I hate to give them back! 
If only they could tell of the places they have been… 
Update: Since I did this project I have been asked numerous times why the middle suitcase is backwards. All of the suitcases have a slight angle to their lids and by turning the middle one backwards, it provide the right angle to make the top suitcase completely level. It also helped to not create a front or back so that the stack could be viewed from all sides.
Very nice. Is the table stable? Would it be sturdier if the suitcases were attached to each other with screws?
Hi Jean, Yes, the suitcases could definitely be attached together and that would provide some stability. We wanted to keep the suitcases separate though so that they could be opened and used. If you have kids or pets around and are worried about stability, I would definitely secure them to each other.
Love this project! I’ve been wanting to do this for some time now. One question – are you worried about the stability of the bottom of the lowest suitcase where the legs are attached? Did you somehow re-enforce the bottom at the bolts?
Thanks! I used large washers on the inside of the suitcase so that the legs and bolts would stay firmly in place. Other then those, I didn’t use anything and it has held up very well. The suitcases were really stiff though so that helped… it was like threading a screw through wood 😉
Thanks for the info. I never would have thought about using a large washer but it makes perfect sense.
Anytime 😉 Glad I could help!
Really creative, well-thought-out, fabulously constructed project. I don’t give many of these, but you, m’dear get an A+!
Aww thank you so very much! That means a lot 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to stop by!
Lisa, this turned out amazing! I really love the look.
Thanks so much Jen! and thanks for sharing it on your Facebook page 🙂
You totally rocked this project Lisa… well done. I’m delighted to be featuring it at Shabbilicious Friday tomorrow.
Thank you so much Kerryanne for your kind words and for the feature! What a lovely way to start the weekend 🙂
Hi there, I have somewhat of an obsession with vintage luggage. I use it as decorative storage throughout my house and I really love your project. Thank you for sharing @Vintage Charm and congratulations ~ you are being featured at tomorrow’s party!
Oh thank you so much Cecilia! Isn’t vintage luggage wonderful?! I sooo want to find some more suitcases and make another one 🙂 Thanks for the feature and I’ll be sure to drop by the party! Hugs, Lisa
I LOVE your tutorial on this great end table! I will be featuring it on SYC Thursday this week. Thank you for sharing!
xx Jo
Oh that is so sweet! Thanks so much Jo! Hugs, Lisa
I too looooove the Fusion Antiquing Glaze! I think using the Gel Stain worked out really well too! A very cool makeover 🙂 Thanks for linking up to #FridaysFurnitureFix!
I’m with you… I just love both the Fusion Antiquing Glaze and the General Finishes Gel Stain. They are definitely two of my most frequent go to’s and are so versatile! Thanks for stopping by 🙂 Hugs, Lisa
this is a wonderful job, I have a stack of suitcases in my studio with this very intention, and Java is such an awesome colour. You did a great job, I’m sure your friend will be delighted.
Aww thanks Irene! She was definitely delighted to say the least 🙂 She loved them! I would love to see what you do with your suitcases 🙂
I love this! It is such a clever idea! Painting the suitcases is something I wouldn’t have thought of!
Thanks Angelina 🙂 I am so glad I decided to use the stain… it allowed the beautiful stitching to still be seen and some of the original colour to peek through.
This looks awesome! I love and can’t wait to try, the Java gel! Nice work I bet your friend was trilled!
🙂 She was totally thrilled! I sooo wish I could have kept them though 🙂 I am totally in love with the Java gel stain; I have used it on wood quite a few times and now vinyl and have only it’s praises to sing. It’s definitely one of my favourites 🙂
Lisa, I am so in love with this makeover! I love old suitcases and I love that you were able to stain them to look like a set. I have been a bit of a hoarder of suitcases so I think I will try something like this. Thank you so much for sharing how you did this.
xo Dianne
That is so sweet Dianne, thank you. I would love to see how yours turns out! It was such a fun project 🙂
This is really great! I love how you have painted them the same color t make a unified whole! A wonderful and smart repurpose!!
Thanks Mary. I loved the colours they were before, but this definitely brings them to a whole other level.
Okay … I love the way your mind works Lisa! This is such a cool looking piece and that ribbon really does look like leather straps! I may have missed the answer to my next question but I will ask anyways … did you have to seal the finish at all in the end? I hope you have a great weekend!
Smiles!
Terry
Haha me too… ok sometimes I like how my mind works… other time I think “did I really think that was a good idea?!” 🙂 I didn’t seal it because I didn’t really find it needed it as the stain adhered and dried really well. You could easily give it a clear coat though… especially if it was going to be used a lot or in a high traffic area. Have a great weekend too 🙂
I love the look of old suitcases and trunks! This is a perfect way to add them to your home decor! Pinned!
Thanks and me too! I soo wish I could keep these ones but also I will just have to look for my own 🙂
Yes! I have used a stack of old suitcases as a side table for years. It may be time to make it a bit more ‘official’ looking with legs and straps though!
Isn’t it wonderful when you can use something totally unconventional for something like a side table? I love that you have been doing this for years… they add so much character to a space!
I really like this idea and you make it look so simple too. Will have me taking a second look at those old suitcases at the thrift stores now! Pinning to share 🙂
I hope you will take a second look now 🙂 it really was not difficult and the impact is so lovely! Thanks for pinning and stopping by. Hugs, Lisa
That is so creative! I love that you made them brown. I was thinking to add old suitcases to my living room niches above the fireplace and I am glad to know that it doesn’t matter what color I find, I can make them what I want. Thanks!
Thanks Carolyn! It was a bit of an experiment to use the stain on the vinyl but it turned out beautifully and I would definitely do it again to change the colour of something 🙂
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