I have been anxious to paint a harlequin pattern on a piece of furniture but thought it might be smart to practice on a smaller project first! This little suitcase with all of it's mod chrome hardware was crying out for something a little more funky than my typical romantic vintage style makeover. It was the perfect harlequin candidate!
This was one of those old luggage pieces that unfortunately came with an unbearable odor that wasn't going to be masked by any amount of kitty litter, coffee beans or baking soda. The fabric lining had to come out and an odor blocking sealer applied. You can read more about this fix in my post Repurposing and Restyling Vintage Luggage.
Painting around the hardware was really only a little bit tedious. I keep baby wipes handy while I am painting, just in case. Chalk Paint® Decorative Paint by Annie Sloan cleans up so easily with a damp cloth. It is very forgiving! The colors are Duck Egg Blue and Old White. I completed the finish with Annie Sloan's clear wax and just a bit of the dark wax here and there.
Painting the harlequin pattern was harder than I had expected! I made a template of the diamond shape with cardboard and then traced around it with a pencil. From there I used painter's tape as a guide to get nice straight lines. I love how it turned out, and I am sure I will do it again, but I'm glad I tried it out on a small piece before tackling a big project.
This suitcase will be up for auction at a fundraiser this month for our local school district. I hope they raise lots of money to benefit the children in our community!
Best Wishes and Blessings,
Amanda
Sharing With:
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Through Life
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Home
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch To Yours
What's it Wednesday at Elephants and Ivy
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground
Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House
