There are many creative ways to repurpose those charming retro suitcases you might have inherited or found in a thrift shop, but this has got to be one of the most original. This DIY project turns vintage luggage into an appealing one-of-a-kind lamp and end table, all in one!
Choose a hue that works to your space’s advantage and harmonizes with your aesthetic. The electronic workings of the lamp are uncomplicated and easily purchased, and they transform this project from cute to fully functional. This sweet piece perfectly defines old-world charm and will warm up your space, especially with the addition of a small vase of flowers or a few books.
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Materials
- Vintage hard-shell suitcase
- Chalk paint
- Paintbrush
- Plastic or glass bowl
- Electric drill
- Hole saw
- Sanding sponge
- Table lamp hardware: a small circular base connected to a socket shell with a cord and plug attached to the base’s side
- Bottle of Gorilla Super Glue Gel
- Spade drill bit
- Spool of thick rope twine
- Hot glue gun
- Glue sticks
- Four premade furniture legs with a set of four screws for each
- Vintage hard-shell suitcase
- Chalk paint
- Paintbrush
- Plastic or glass bowl
- Electric drill
- Hole saw
- Sanding sponge
- Table lamp hardware: a small circular base connected to a socket shell with a cord and plug attached to the base’s side
- Bottle of Gorilla Super Glue Gel
- Spade drill bit
- Spool of thick rope twine
- Hot glue gun
- Glue sticks
- Four premade furniture legs with a set of four screws for each
DIY Everywhere
Instructions
1. Place your suitcase on the work surface with the closure hardware facing you.
1. Place your suitcase on the work surface with the closure hardware facing you.
2. Fill the bowl with chalk paint.
3. Coat the entire suitcase, except for the hardware, with the paint.
4. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly.
5. Attach a 2 1/8-inch hole saw blade to the electric drill and drill a hole into the upper left corner portion of the suitcase side near the bottom. Here, you'll allow about 3 inches of space between the circle and the bottom edge of the suitcase, and about 2 inches between the circle and the case’s side edge.
6. Sand around the hole with the sanding sponge until the edges of the cut circle are smoothed out. Brush away the resulting dust.
7. Apply a line of the Gorilla Glue around the outer edge of the upper portion of the circular base.
8. Open the suitcase and place the base in it. Position the base so the socket comes up through the drilled hole. The glued base top should be affixed to the interior of the suitcase and will help to securely place the socket.
9. Attach the spade bit to the drill. Drill a hole into the bottom panel of the suitcase below and a bit to the left of where the circular base is located, starting on the inside.
10. Thread the plug and cord through this hole.
11. Take the spool of thick rope twine and apply a bit of hot glue to the end of the twine.
12. Affix that end to the bottom of the socket protruding through the hole in the suitcase.
13. Apply a little glue at a time to the twine, and slowly wrap the twine around the base of the socket.
14. Flip the suitcase over and position one of the metal furniture legs on a corner of the suitcase's undecorated bottom side.
15. Attach the leg to the suitcase by drilling a screw through each of the four holes in the leg hardware. If the legs are angled, make sure the leg bottoms are facing outward.
16. Repeat step 15 three more times, so each corner of the suitcase has a leg drilled into it.
17. Flip the piece over and stand it on its legs.
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18. Place the shade over the socket and turn the lamp on.