From Thrift Store Find to Fabulous Feature: Upcycling a Vintage Suitcase into a Table with Dixie Belle Paint!
- Melissa Geskie
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
Hey creative souls and upcycling aficionados! Wait till you see this week's project!!
There's nothing quite like the thrill of the hunt at a thrift store, and on a recent adventure, I stumbled upon a true gem: a vintage suitcase with incredible character, priced under $10! I immediately envisioned transforming it into something unique. Knowing I had a couple of small table bases in the shed, the idea sparked: why not combine them to create a one-of-a-kind suitcase table?
Products Used
Let's talk about how I took this forgotten suitcase and a lonely table base and gave them a whole new life using some incredible products from Dixie Belle Paint! If you're looking to upcycle a piece of furniture and give it a fresh, vibrant look, you're in the right place. First things first, always clean with WHITE LIGHTNING! Remove any of the yuck that might be there before you start!
The table base I had was a bit scuffed up, but nothing that the right product couldn't handle. To ensure fantastic adhesion on the suitcase, I prepped my surface and reached for Bonding Boss from Dixie Belle Paint. This stuff is a game-changer for ensuring your paint sticks to even the slickest surfaces, providing a strong foundation for your project. You can find out more about Bonding Boss and its uses on the Dixie Belle Paint website.
For the scuffed-up table base, I wanted a rich, deep color that would give it a new identity. Colonial Black Gel Stain was the perfect choice. This oil-based gel stain provides beautiful, deep coverage and is fantastic for revitalizing wood surfaces. I applied it to the base, transforming it from worn to sophisticated with ease. Simply wipe it on to refresh the color. Want a in-depth tutorial on how to apply it? CLICK HERE
Now for the fun part – adding color and personality to the suitcase! I decided on using several stunning Dixie Belle Paint colors. The base color for the suitcase became a lovely, soft shade called Magnolia. This provided a beautiful, neutral canvas for the details to come.
To add some visual interest and a touch of glamour, I painted stripes using Moonshine Metallic in Gold Digger. This metallic paint is simply gorgeous, offering a rich, shimmering gold finish that catches the light beautifully. I love how the metallic stripes contrast with the soft base color.
The sides of the suitcase were painted in a striking color called Yankee Blue. This deep, rich blue adds a pop of color and complements both the Magnolia base and the gold metallic stripes perfectly. Added black wax to the edges to age.
One of my favorite ways to add intricate detail and pattern is with decoupage. I chose a stunning new decoupage paper called Heirloom Roses. The delicate floral pattern in beautiful shades brought a touch of vintage elegance to the suitcase.
Here's a little trick I used to get the decoupage paper to lay perfectly without wrinkles: I applied a coat of Satin Clear Coat to the surface where the paper would go. While the clear coat was still wet, I carefully positioned the Heirloom Roses paper. Then, I rubbed a sheet (balled up) of plastic wrap over the paper and used my hands to smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles, working from the center outwards. The plastic wrap allows you to really work the paper into the wet clear coat without tearing it. Once smooth, I applied another thin coat of Satin Clear Coat over the top of the paper to seal it. Satin Clear Coat provides a durable finish with a lovely subtle sheen, perfect for protecting your decoupage. Need a longer decoupage tutorial? This one is my most viewed on YOUTUBE!
To highlight some of the details and add an aged, elegant touch, I used Antique Gold Gilding Wax. I applied this sparingly to edges and raised areas, bringing out the textures and adding a touch of warmth and sophistication. Also the trim and hardware!
Finally, I painted the trim of the suitcase in Chocolate paint. This rich, deep brown provided a grounding element and framed the other colors beautifully. I sealed the entire thing in Clear Wax and added Black Wax to the edges to age it up!
With all the painting and decoupaging complete and dry, it was time to assemble! I carefully screwed the suitcase to the revitalized table base, and just like that, I had a brand new, unique table!
And I didn't forget about the piece I removed from the original table base! I decided to upcycle that too and created a wood tray!
I am absolutely thrilled with how this suitcase table turned out! It's a true testament to the power of upcycling and how a little creativity and some amazing products from Dixie Belle Paint can transform forgotten items into functional and beautiful pieces for your home.
What have you upcycled lately?
Need to find some longer format video tutorials? Follow along on my YouTube here!
Happy Painting!
Melissa
The Top Drawer RVA
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