Vintage Suitcase Side Table

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.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…To see more pictures and the directions, visit the full post at…