Saturday, September 10, 2011

Luggage Chest

    This is a project that was long in coming: I had to find just the right pieces. 
First came the trunk handle ends, they were on clearance at Van Dykes, my favorite furniture hardware place. I got them several years ago for a couple of bucks but the leather hand parts were still too expensive, so I waited. Next came the dresser. This particular one was given to me for free and it was perfect for this project! Home-made but very well done; number 2 yellow pine throughout.
Now, what to do about the handles: what do I have that's leather?...
Oh yeah, my old stirrup leathers! Perfect! A little paint, a lot of detail, and did I mention the clasps for this "suitcase" cost $1 a piece? The whole creation cost me around $20!

14 comments:

Ruthie said...

Looks great!

The Rust Life said...

I have so been wanting to do this to one of my chests at home. I didn't know where to get the hardware pieces like that. This is awesome!

Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating said...

Very interesting. So are the drawer fronts just painted to look like suitcases?

Lynn Rollins said...

Thank you everyone!
And Hollie to answer your question...
The fronts of the dresser are the original that came with it. I used a specialty router bit to create the groove to make the fronts of the drawers look like two seperate pieces like real luggage, then hand painted the fronts to look like leather or canvas luggage, attached the clasps to make them look like they really open like real luggage, and then added the handles made from stirup leathers.

Deborah March said...

OmiGOSH, this is just SPECTACULAR!! WOW!!!

cheryl @ nefotlak. said...

this looks totally awesome!
LOVE it!
xox.

Cassie Bustamante said...

how AWESOME you really thought outside the box, or suitcase, on this one! and i love it!

GrammaG20 said...

That is so awesome! I think I need to make one for myself. I realy like your blog, too. You have some great ideas. Thanks for sharing!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

This is so neat!! What a great piece! Thanks for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday! :)

Sheri@childmade.com said...

Thanks for sharing! Your creation has been featured on this week's top 10 newsletter. You can view the newsletter here. Keep up the great work!

Jenn Erickson said...

Lynn, this piece is beautiful done. Your hard work procuring all the fine details really paid off!

Thank you so much for sharing your creativity and talent at Rook No. 17!

Unknown said...

Je trouve ce projet magnifique, mais comment faites vous pour ouvrir les valises?
Faut-il les scier sur les deux côtés ?afin de pouvoir les ouvrir ?
Je me pose la question !
merci de me renseigner

czarinakat said...

Pandora Tears, Les valises ne sont pas vrais, ils sont des tiroirs qui retirent. Ils ressemblent seulement aux valises.

Jim Handy man said...

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