I love recycling and I love it even more when I can repurpose old things into funky, practical and useful things.
In this picture is an old steamer trunk which has been in our family for decades, and you can imagine my joy when it eventually became mine. Rightly or wrongly my Dad painted it in gloss white paint many years ago, but it still has it’s original interior lining and leather handles and even though it’s been knocked about a bit over the years, it adds to it’s personality. We keep a bunch of board games inside it, but it also doubles as my meditation area. It is one of my favourite things.
So I thought I would again look at other ways to find new uses for any of those old suitcases and trunks that you may have locked away and covered in dust and I’ve drawn inspiration from three great articles.
The first is by Trish Smith of The Green Groove who has a great article on Greenopolis for 10 Vintage Suitcase Tables for Your Home.
The second is on Apartment Therapy where (believe it or not) some suitcases have been turned into chairs.
You may want to check out this article on design sponge with Ashley’s vintage-suitcase coffee table, with step by step instructions.
Lastly some instructions on how to properly restore an old vintage trunk by eHow contributor Helen Jain.
If you don’t have an old suitcase or trunk but love the idea, perhaps it’s time to check out some garage sales, antique shops, eBay, Craigslist, Gumtree or similar and grab yourself a useful bargain full of character?
If you do take up the project, be sure to send me a photo of your efforts!
