New Uses for Old Things: Vintage Suitcases | At Home with Kim Vallee

written by Heather Watterworth

Easy spot to at second-hand stores and garage sales, vintage suiteases come with built-in charm (and, usually, a not-so-pleasant smell). Battered corners and silky linings tell tales of the suitcase?s travelled past, and you can instantly imagine the trips taken and memories made by previous owners.

It?s just as easy to imagine taking one of those suitcases on a new trip, albeit one which tranforms it as creative storage, a cozy bed for Fifi, or a modern tech-savvy charging station.

Here are just a few of the most creative suitcase re-purposing projects we?ve spotted. (Look for links to full DIY in the Sourcing section below!)

It doesn?t matter if you?re a cat person or a dog lover, your furry family member will feel right at home with a stylish space of its own.

Of course, suitcases make lovely seats for your less furry family members too ? just add legs, upholstery foam and pillows.

Did you see this colourful train case-cum-charging station on Design*Sponge last week? Most charging stations tend toward masculine styling, so we loved that the suitcase?s original girly colour was preserved, and the colourful feminine lining that was added.

Thinking outside the closet is the key to giving these suitcases a new lease on life. Create an organized and portable crafting station for kids (or mom!), or a picnic-party-in-a-box that will be ready to go when spring weather arrives.

Anyone who?s visited the home of a musician knows how instruments can take over the home. This guitar stand from the master Macgyver-ers at Readymade keeps things corralled, and folded up is easy to tote on stage or to band practice.

Of course, don?t overlook the suitcase?s original intent: storing clothes. Britsh artist James Plumb created custom chests and fitted suitcase fronts to the drawers for a one-of-a-kind look.

SOURCING:
+ ?Journey in Blue? Vintage Suitcase Print, Simply Hue Designs on Etsy, $25 USD
+ Cat Bed DIY by Camilla Styles
+ Doggy Day Bed DIY by Covet Garden
+ Vintage Suitcase Chair DIY by See Kate Sew
+ Charging Station DIY by Design*Sponge
+ Craft Suitcase by Inspire Co.
+ Picnic Basket Suitcase DIY by Funkytime
+ Guitar Stand DIY by Readymade
+ Suitcase Chest of Drawers by James Plumb via Bless This Stuff

Source: http://athome.kimvallee.com/2012/02/new-uses-for-old-things-vintage-suitcases/

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