Welcome, everyone! Today, I’m thrilled to share my latest project: the Stencilled Luggage Project I created in collaboration with the talented Jonathon Marc Mendes. This transformation not only shows the creation of a custom vintage piece but also infuses it with a unique blend of style and artistry. If you’re ready, let’s dive into the detailed steps of this creative journey!
Step 1: Base Coat
Jonathon had previously applied a coat of Posh Chalk Crackling Gel to the luggage off-camera. The drying process for the gel is crucial, as it needs to be allowed to dry naturally to achieve the best results. The Crackling Gel enhances the intricate texture of the surface, ensuring that the ensuing layers of paint crackle beautifully, adding to the vintage appeal of the luggage.
Once the Crackling Gel is dry, the project kicks off with painting the luggage. The first painting step involves applying a thick coat of Driftwood paint by Dixie Belle. Applying a thick layer is essential because the texture of the luggage can absorb paint differently than smoother surfaces, and I wanted to make sure the base coat was rich enough to create a stunning background. I applied the paint to all sides, ensuring even coverage everywhere.
To expedite the drying process, I grabbed a heat gun. Carefully, I held it a few inches away from the surface to avoid any damage while ensuring that the paint dried evenly. As the heat worked its magic, I could already see the charming cracks beginning to form through the Driftwood base coat—a promising sign that the project was moving in the right direction!
Step 2: Stencilling
With the base coat dry and crackling beautifully, it was time to prepare the stencil paint. I wanted to use a similar colour to the Driftwood but darker for better visibility of the stencilled design. To achieve this, I mixed the Hurricane Grey paint with some additional Driftwood to create the ideal shade.
Next, I placed the Posh Chalk Kaleidoscope Premium Stencil onto one side of the luggage. With everything in place, it was time for the fun part—stencilling! Using a paint roller, I began applying my darker grey mixture over the stencil. This process adds visual interest and enhances the character of the luggage, so I was excited to see the final result.
However, as I rolled on the paint, I quickly realised the colour didn’t pop as much as I wanted. The beauty of DIY projects is the flexibility to adjust as you go. So, I added more Hurricane Grey to my mixture and rolled over the stencil again. This time, I was happy with the outcome—bold and striking!
I moved the stencil across the surface of the luggage. I made sure to wrap the stencil around the luggage’s corners, challenging as they are, but necessary for a cohesive look.
After completing the stencilling, I used the heat gun once again to force dry the paint. I deliberately didn’t stencil perfectly, allowing for slight fades and imperfections that evoke an effortless appearance of natural ageing over time.
Step 3: More Stencilling!
While the initial stencilling created a great backdrop, I felt the luggage needed some additional visual variance. I decided to introduce number stencils, specifically numbers 5 and 7. For this, I needed a darker grey that would contrast well against the previously applied colours.
Consequently, I picked Coffee Bean paint by Dixie Belle and mixed it with a little Driftwood to maintain consistency with the overall colour palette. I used a Posh Chalk Stencil Brush to stipple the dark grey paint through the number 5 stencil, applying just the right amount of pressure to ensure an even application.
However, when I peeled off the stencil, I found that the font style didn’t feel quite right for my vision. No worries—I had a plan! Armed with a small paintbrush, I went in to fill in the gaps and refine the design until I achieved the look I was going for.
Before moving on to the number 7 stencil, I force dried the number 5 with a heat gun. Once it was sufficiently dried, I repeated the same process with the number 7 stencil, applying the dark grey paint mixture and refining the details with my brush afterward.
To add an even more personal touch, I freehand painted a small full stop at the end of the numbers—just a little detail to tie everything together.
Next, I wanted to stencil some text onto the top side of the luggage, right next to the handle, to enhance its character further. I used the same stippling technique with my Posh Chalk Stencil Brush to apply the text, ensuring it blended beautifully with the rest of the design. I also applied smaller versions of the number stencil onto one side of the luggage, repeating the same steps to keep the overall appearance cohesive.
Step 4: Applying WoodUbend Trim
Now that the stencilling was complete and drying, it was time to add the WoodUbend Trim. I chose TR803 for its elegant design. The first step involved warming it up to make it malleable enough for application.
Heating the trim is critical. It allows you to bend and shape it easily without breaking, giving a smooth and polished look once applied. I cut off two long strips of trim, ensuring I had enough to fit around the entire luggage without gaps.
Before attaching the trim, I decided to pre-paint it with the Hurricane Grey paint I had used earlier. This ensures that the trim blends seamlessly with the overall design. I poured some of the paint onto the same plate I had used for mixing earlier, allowing the other shades of grey to subtly blend with my Hurricane Grey.
As I painted both trim strips, I kept them warm and pliable, making the process easier.
To attach the trim, I started by applying WoodUglue to the entire footprint of one strip of trim. Then, I wrapped it around the luggage in line with one of the buckles. During this process, I periodically heated the trim to avoid breakage while pressing it firmly against the surface.
After carefully joining the ends of the trim around the buckle, I trimmed off any excess. I repeated the entire process with the second strip of trim along the buckle on the opposite side, ensuring the design was balanced.
Just to double-check the stability of the trim, I heated both strips in place once more and pressed them down firmly, ensuring they adhered well and would withstand the test of time.
Step 5: Details & Shading
As I moved into the final stage of the project, I turned my attention to the buckles and the luggage’s handle. I applied Hurricane Grey paint here, matching the rest of the luggage perfectly. Once the paint dried, I noticed some small metal clips on each corner of the luggage that needed some Driftwood application to tie the whole colour scheme together.
Now that my painting was complete, it was time to add some shading. I started by applying a coat of Posh Chalk Patina Extending Wax to the entire piece. As I applied this, I made sure to periodically wipe off any excess wax with a cloth, which helps achieve a lovely finish.
While working with the extending wax, I remembered that this was the perfect opportunity to contribute to the aged effect I started creating earlier. I decanted some Patina Extending Wax and mixed in some Posh Chalk Black Patina. By applying this black wax I had created primarily on the trim strips, corners, and handle, then feathering it out across the surface I created subtle shading, enhancing the depth and vintage feel of the entire piece of luggage.
Conclusion
And there you have it—the transformation was complete! The luggage now features a beautiful minimalist style combined with a chic vintage aesthetic. I was genuinely thrilled with the way the colours harmonised and how the stencilled design added both visual interest and character.
This project was not just about creating an attractive piece; it was also about the joy of being creative and discovering new techniques.
Products Used:
- Posh Chalk Kaleidoscope Premium Stencil
- Posh Chalk Patina Extending Wax
- Posh Chalk Black Patina
- Posh Chalk Crackling Gel
- Posh Chalk Stencil Brush
- TR803
- WoodUglue
If you’d like to see the creative transformation project in video format, it will be live on our YouTube Channel Wednesday 23rd of September at 8pm BST.
P.S If my blogs do inspire you, and you get round to trying some of these techniques and products, I would love to see them in the Creations community we have. There are over 25,000 members who post daily. You’ll also find lots of creators in there who have posted some wonderful projects. It’s an inspiring group with lots going on. You can join here, and best of all it’s free!
You can find all these products, except for Magic Paint, on our website https://woodubend.com/shop/
To watch the whole crafting process above, click on the links below:
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