vintage suitcases {decoration diy}

So I’m dime decorator at heart. If I can make it, trust me- it will be done. I’m all about saving some cash and spicing up the areas around me with everything that is diy. So needless to say, I’m just so super stoked to bring you this little idea that popped into my head mid-coffee yesterday morning.

For starters, gotta explain my need for the project at hand: I have decided to get a work space. For me,  for my photo business, for my crafts, and for my sanity. I worked from a small one bedroom loft for too many months on end, and it’s time for yours truly to spread her wings.

I knew I wanted some sort of seating area. I had picked out my chairs and hung up some wall decor, but I could not bring myself to decide on a coffee table. I scoured the vintage shops around town, but everything was either a but pricey for my taste or just not the right fit.

My only request? It had to be vintage and cheap. I’m a lady on a budget here. Who’s with me?!

Furniture is always a little different when it comes to diy. I mean, I’m not carpenter. I literally own a hammer, a mason jar full of nails, and a screwdriver. They are all located in my medicine cabinet. I don’t know why I keep them there. I guess I think of it as space for emergencies and  imperative things. I don’t know. It makes sense to me.

I decided to make myself a coffee table. The only stipulations were 1) that I would really just like to avoid all carpentry and 2) stick to the Hobby Lobby adhesives aisle I have become so fond of lately. I had several vintage suitcases that I could put to use, and I decided to throw all these on top of one another  then add a plate of glass on the top. EUREKA! I had found my furniture piece I so longed for.

So I updated my Facebook status: “Trying to make a coffee table out of vintage-y things. Needing a super strong adhesive. Suggestions? ” And whoa- did they pour in. From Gorialla Glue to Zap a Gap ( an architect favorite), I was overwhelmed with the gluing possibilities. My decision? Gorilla Glue. The picture on the front sold me. What?? I was knee- deep in construction diy at Lowe’s and went with the cartoon character on the front. It just seemed friendly, that’s all.

I got back to my workspace and rolled my sleeves up. I was gonna build some furniture. Ha! Build : )

So I got to gluing.

I even took photos while I worked for this blog post, but this idea just wasn’t working. The glass I has intially decided on was too thing and the suitcases weren’t holding.

So. I dissassembled and started over. This was going to work. I decided my first furniture diy would not be a failure!! (now picture me shaking my finger in the air. I was adamant.)

So I hauled in a heavier piece of glass. And by I, I mean BD.

This glass was way super heavy, but it would be just perfect for the table. I stacked only two suitcases on top of one another this time, hurled the glass on top and….. TA-DA!

This works in two ways: the suitcases are hard so they can withstand the glass, and the glass is so heavy it actually holds the suitcases in place.

You mean a diy with no glue, no nails, just some inventive handiwork. Ah- easy like Sunday morning.

If you wanna see some different ways to make vintage suitcase coffee tables, check out this awesome diy on Design Sponge.

Wanna make a coffee table?! Send us a photo? We’d be oh-so proud to see your diy success!

.paz.

jessie