DIY Idea: Vintage Suitcase Drawer Dresser
Have you ever wanted to put your laundry away more? Designer James Plumb came up with this stylish, masculine dresser for the Salone 2011 at Galleria Rossana Orlandi. His frame is made from iron, but I’m thinking this design could easily be translated to a DIY effort.
To make your own, begin with the hard part: sourcing and collecting all the sweet vintage leather suitcases. This would work with the inexpensive plastic Samsonites they have at every thriftstore, but would make for a different aesthetic. Unless you live in a loft with fifteen foot ceilings, I think four or five would be a good (and affordable) place to start.
Then, measure the heights of your suitcases, and add:
- 1/2″ for clearance/sliding
- 3/4″ for each of the shelves + 1 1/2″ for the top and bottom
Then build a basic case from 3/4″ MDF, adding dadoes on the sides for each shelf. Paint the inside of the sides and top and the shelves, then assemble with glue and nails. Paint the outside with a mix of dark gray, brown, and black to get a weathered look. Add a bit of dark felt to the shelves to all the suitcases to slide easily.
Chris
