California Decorate With Vintage Suitcases

 

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 Have you started to notice stacks of vintage suitcases popping up in styled magazine shoots and retail window displays? It's a pretty clever way to add whimsy to your home without spending big bucks. Since this decorative idea hasn't hit the mainstream yet the antique dealers haven't snapped them all up yet to gauge prices. Almost any vintage store I have visited recently has many underappreciated suitcases for you to scoop up and turn into an inexpensive side table or interesting display. Better yet, bring out grandpa's old suitcases from the attic and celebrate a traveled life. And can we talk about the hidden storage potential?

Chad Jackson Photo

Finding a uniform collection of vintage suitcases makes for a visually appealling display. But this can be challenging if you don't already have an heirloom set.

The Locker

This stack isn't exactly uniform, but there is a cohesive color palette and along with the collection of embroidery hoops, the mismatched nature seems intentional.

 

Better yet, paint whatever you do find one color. The white works so well in this beachy bedroom along with the sheets, furniture, and white washed boards.

Tip: When painting leather, make sure to wipe it down with alcohol and lightly sand it to remove surface dirt and wax before you begin. Use several coats of acrylic paint.

Scheer & Co.

Besides painting the suitcase, another DIY idea is to prop it on legs. That way it saves you the time and effort of having to find a few good looking examples to stack tall enough to create a side table height. And it becomes a unique and inexpensive piece of furniture.

Jennifer Grey Interiors

This lone rugged example adds a nice rustic touch to a hearth.

Home & Harmony

A charming and inexpensive side table to a thoughtfully furnished living room.

Home & Harmony

With the exotic Balinese bench, the two suitcases allude to a world of travel and the homeowner's readiness to pack up and go at a moment's notice. The suitcase tell a story about the homeowner's likes and experiences.

The darker brown leather suitcases add another layer to the masculine and historic vibe of this entry.

And of course, this look is not just for the well heeled and traveled elite. It has the hipster cred as seen in this music room along with a vintage America school map and repurposed flat files.