Re-purposing a Vintage Cosmetic Case
Old suitcases are a vintage decorating staple because of their stylish details and bonus storage feature. They can be used all over the house once they’re cleaned up and refreshed {“Vintage Suitcases: All Dressed Up and Nowhere To Go“}. If you’re lucky enough to find one of the most used pieces of the vintage luggage set, the cosmetic case, you can create an adorable vignette that is perfect for an entryway. Today I’ll show you how Re-purposing a vintage cosmetic case can be a fun accessory to style for spring!
Today’s project is inspired by my Thrifty Chicks friends. Each month we challenge ourselves to create something centered around a theme. This month’s theme is luggage. Check out all their amazing posts at the end, where I’ll have links.
I picked up this cute, greenish, blue “Skyway” cosmetic case at the thrift store for $4.50 a while back. The lady in line next to me was wishing she had found it first;) Although it was in pretty good condition on the outside, the inside had seen many trips. I treated it to a makeover like most of the vintage luggage I find. See the details of how I do this in the post link above.
Use the Original Features in a Unique Way
I decided to keep the key envelopes with the cute message and also include the keys in my refresh. Glueing the mirror back to the top is important for this project. Usually the mirrors are square, but this one was surprisingly round!
Here’s the new and improved, refreshed cosmetic case:
Gather Basic Springtime Accessories
All refreshed, ready for a new purpose! Grab some springtime basics and let’s do some styling!
A couple of old books,
A nest with some eggs,
A milkglass vase with some crabapple branches clipped from the yard, along with 1 faux apple blossom {“Get the most from your faux/everlasting flowers“}
A votive candle in a glass container,
A little bird,
and to set it all off, you could whip up some “Leafy Placemats“.
Add a Free Springtime Printable
Arrange your decorative items in the order listed and enjoy your new entryway vignette! I also created a feathery printable for you to print off and add to the pretty scene! Simply print it on cardstock with your home printer and hang it on an old clipboard or from a vintage pants hanger for true junk style!
Add a Candle for a Warm Welcome
Don’t you love how the candle reflects in the mirror? It’s why this arrangement would be so welcoming right inside your entryway. An adorable greeting for your springtime and Easter brunch guests!
And some seasonal words always set off the whole scene:
If you’d like this “Nest” printable to add to your springtime vignettes, simply sign up for my weekly newsletters and you will get the password to my resource library, where you can download this PDF file.
Do you have an old Cosmetic Case you can refresh and re-purpose? With a little bit of creativity, you can create your own cheery, springtime vignette for your entryway. This arrangement would also be wonderful in the fall with a mini “Fabric Pumpkin” and a leafy, autumn branch.
Next time you spy some vintage luggage, remember how wonderful it can become when refreshed and re-purposed!
Become a Lora B Insider!
If you’d like access to this cute “nest” printable, you can access it for FREE in my Resource Library. Just become a Lora B Insider and you will get a password to enjoy all my free helpful and decorative resources that go with my blog posts. You’ll also stay up to date with creative adventures!
If you’re already an Insider, check your weekly email for the password!
Vintage suitcases can be such a fun decor item to use when you style your home. They can also work wonderfully for extra storage. Hope you enjoyed learning how you can refresh and repurpose these oldies! Re-purposing a Vintage Cosmetic Case can be a character-filled item you can use throughout the seasons in your home!
Check out all the Thrifty Chicks luggage Challenge inspiration below.
Here are the “Luggage” inspired “before” projects and how-to’s from the Thrifty Chicks:
Click on the titles to see their “Luggage” posts:
- Thrifty Rebel Vintage, “Quick and Easy Vintage Cosmetic Case Makeover”
- Adirondack Girl at Heart, “How To Clean and Care For Antiques: Vintage Luggage”
- Me:)
- Little Vintage Cottage, “Upcycled Suitcase Tray”
Sharing at these lovely parties:
Share Your Style
What a gorgeous vignette! I love birds, their nests, and the lining you put in the “suitcase” is fantastic. I love the whole project. Thanks for sharing such an inspirational piece!
Glad you enjoyed it, Barbara!
Girl~ you had me @ Vintage Suitcase!! Yours is adorable 👏👏👏 Thanks for your inspiration & willingness to share darling printables!
Yes, vintage suitcases are one of my favorites, Marsha! I have way too many;)
This is really lovely Lora. I have such a soft spot for vintage luggage (and travel bars). There’s so much cachet to these old pieces, and their durability is bar-none. Off to read your tips on giving the inside a makeover!
I love old suitcases and luggage too, Sheila. I almost cry when I find one that’s been left in a wet basement and is too far gone to save:(
In my day (born in 1940) those cases were also called train cases. I have one kept since I was young woman and it sure needs a make over. Really love how you redid yours, looks so pretty now and perfect for season, holiday vignettes. We don’t have an entry way or foyer but am sure can find a good place to put it, maybe on shutter shelf. Guess had better get busy giving my case an overhaul. Have maybe 4 or 5 of these cases all in original condition. Very hard to find old luggage here then when I do are way too expensive for our budget.
I’m so glad you enjoyed my re-purpose, JaneEllen! It is hard to find old luggage in good condition. I can re-do quite a bit, but hate when it’s been put in a wet basement; then it’s beyond hope:( Have fun with your train case! And thanks for giving me that tidbit of history!
My vintage loving, spring loving, nature loving, junk loving, music teaching heart could not resist featuring this upcycle today at TFT!
I hope you will stop by and say hello and link up again! Happy Spring!https://followtheyellowbrickhome.com/easter-inspiration-at-thursday-favorite-things/
When you put it that way, Amber, I can see why! Think we love the same things (but I only taught my own children to love music;) Thanks for the feature!
Love your makeover, Lora, and your styling is just fantastic!! I’m loving the bird’s nest especially; guess I’m really ready for spring…
Thanks, Diana! I’m ready too, but there’s still a whole lot of white stuff here that needs to melt!
Another winner Lora! I too love the music paper- perfect for the other embellishments. Always look forward to your posts, so glad you are sharing your fabulous ideas?
Thanks, Shelly! I’m enjoying this whole new way of sharing my crazy ideas, but I do miss the camaraderie of the store! Spring sales are right around the corner…!
This is so cute! I always wondered why women carried a case just for cosmetics; when I travel, everything fits in a little zipper case! Lovely job and I love the vignette. I like how the colors pick up the colors in your curtains, too. It is STILL snowing here in Maine (tail end of another Nor’easter) but I added a bird nest to a wreathe and replaced red/white Christmas/Valentine flowers with bright pink apple blossoms in a vase today.
LOL! They must have worn way more makeup back then?? I’m still looking at white out the window too, Kathy! But at least the sunshine and warmer weather is starting to melt the piles of it! Hope for spring!
This is beautiful. This thrift chick is in love ?
Thanks, Deborah!
Love how this turned out Lora. The sheet music goes so beautifully with the bluish exterior. Really lovely!
Thanks, Tuula! The color worked so well with the springtime colors!
You did such a nice job of making this so attractive, and I’m glad you didn’t paint the outside. People now are doing this and, if the suitcase is in good shape, it just ruins them forever. Or worse, they even cut them in half. Yours certainly needed the attention to the inside and it looks very cute! Good job!!
Thanks, Vikki! Guess I’m a purist when it comes to vintage! I like to refresh pieces, so they’re not in their “original” (sometimes yucky) state, but I still appreciate their vintage roots. I’m not afraid to cut something up or paint it if I feel like it serves my purposes better, though! There’s always more junk to be found! (Luckily!)
It looks so darling. I love the music paper(I do have a soft spot for it). I love how you styled it as well.
Thanks, Debra! Years ago, we styled a grouping we called “The Symphony of Spring”; ever since I always love to use music paper in the springtime! I just think of all the birds singing!
The refreshed vintage cosmetic case is perfect for a Spring or Summer Vignette and I love how you refreshed the inside of it too. Very creative!
Thanks, Marie! Missed you!
OMG, this is SO cute Lora! I love it!
Tania
Thanks Tania! Slowly getting my house springed up!