posted by: Misty on October 27th, 2011

Vintage Train Cases
Shopping around at antique shops and markets, I started noticing vintage train cases. I think I’m drawn to them for their travel weary appearance and nostalgic nod to cross country train rides (as seen in old movies with very well dressed, sauve passengers). Some of these train cases still have lingering scents of aftershave or perfume.
It’s all well and good to collect something for it’s charm, but it’s even better to assign those things a function. Luckily, I found a purpose for my train cases. It so happens that these cases are the perfect size for storing CD’s or DVD’s. A few of the cases I found had tiny interior side-rails that used to support trays. These rails can be easily pried off if they cause the case to be too narrow for dropping in CD’s.

Open Train Case as Storage for CD's
To vary my storage and create more interest, I mixed the train cases in with a collection of baskets (holding even more DVD’s). The necessary media components and speakers are there (sigh), but I tried to detract from those items by placing unusual objects on some shelves. Alas the vintage blue typewriter serves no purpose, but it belonged to my grandmother and it makes me happy.

Custom Shelving with Train Cases and Baskets for Storage
P.S. If you’re so “digital” that you don’t even know what a CD or DVD is, let alone own lots of them, then I have another suggestion. . . Consider storing your 8 different remotes or random USB cords in a train case.
Tags: CD, collections, creative storage, DVD, entertainment center, media shelves, repurposed suitcases, storage, train case, vintage suitcase
Posted in Design Solutions, Organizing, general, living room, repurposed, vintage |
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posted by: Misty on October 26th, 2011
For those who have small dining and kitchen areas, I often suggest built-in banquette seating to maximize the space. A banquette allows you to carve out little dining nooks in oddly shaped rooms or to double the width of free space in rectangular rooms. The long bench seat is perfect for piling up the kids [...]
Posted in DIY Projects, Design Solutions, Dining rooms, Family Friendly, Kitchens, entryway, foyer, how to, pillows |
posted by: Ashley on October 25th, 2011
Bored with your not-so-new or hand-me-down chairs? Give them a fresh makeover with a can of paint and some fun new fabric! I inherited a pair of iron bar stools from a relative years ago. When they fell into my hand hands, the stools were white and gold with almond colored “pleather” seats (yikes!) Immediately, [...]
Posted in DIY Projects, Design Solutions, Paint, color, fabric, furniture, general, vintage |
posted by: Misty on October 24th, 2011
Most people have heard of Round Top, either for the famed pie or the endless antique fairs. If you have never experienced a trip to the Round Top area antique markets, then I highly recommend it for all treasure seekers. It’s really almost impossible to explain the mass of roadside tents and giant barns brimming [...]
Posted in Shopping, accessories, event, objet d'art, vintage |
posted by: Misty on August 30th, 2011
Remember that unmistakable smell of new crayons? And the tiny thrill of sharpening a brand new pencil and watching that yellow curl of wood slowly unravel? Even if you can’t go back to first grade, you can capture the nostalgia of your early school days through a few “learned” pieces of furniture, lighting and decorative [...]
Posted in Budget Friendly, Creative Spaces, Design Solutions, Family Friendly, Inspiration, Office, Organizing, accessories, combining styles, entryway, etsy, foyer, furniture, general, lighting, mudroom, repurposed, vintage |
posted by: Misty on August 8th, 2011
From Chicago Home and Garden Magazine While visiting my sister in Chicago this week, I spied an issue of Chicago Home and Garden magazine that caught my interest. Flipping through the pages, I instantly fell in love with the accent wall in Amy Love’s studio in Bucktown. Love, a bookbinder, had books cut in half [...]
Posted in Inspiration, artist, decorative arts, general, objet d'art |
posted by: Misty on July 18th, 2011
Vacationing last week in the mountains with no TV and limited internet was relaxing, but . . . I missed the premiere of HGTV’s Design Star! Thanks to my DVR, I am now caught up and ready to comment on the show. I agree that the bonus room was my favorite design and executed by [...]
Posted in Creative Spaces, Design Solutions, Family Friendly, Inspiration, entertainment, general, living room |
posted by: Misty on July 6th, 2011
Some people like to methodically scrounge their way around estate sales, garage sales and junk heaps. Those people are called pickers. For the rest of you, reap the rewards of pickers and shop at boutique stores like Revival. Specializing in not-so-shabby chic, Revival hosts a selection of treasures discovered by professional pickers all over the [...]
Posted in Inspiration, Shopping, accessories, combining styles, decorative arts, furniture, gardening, general, gifts, objet d'art, vintage |