I am not a suitcase collector per say, but I find that I have accumulated a collection of sorts.
In a 1200 sq. ft. home you try to find any extra means of storage you can! These suitcases are
full of fabrics and sewing notions. They sit on an old trunk in our loft area.
I just brought this huge bottom suitcase back from my MIL's garage rafters. The small one on top
was obviously part of a set. The large suitcases in my bedrooms are used for seasonal clothing.
With only two closets in our cabin, I can't possibly hang all the clothes and coats we have. So this is a wonderful alternative.
Do you have a collection of suitcases? What do you store in yours? Or do you have other types of
unconventional storage you can share with us. I love to discover new and attractive ways to hide
stuff. But it has to be handy to get at too! Please share ladies, it will be a help to us all!
Blessings,
Not as many as you...oh, have you seen the wall of suitcases on Pinterest? It's fabulous. I store fabrics in mine as well and I open them on top of a dresser and use them to corral things the way others might use a platter or something. My mother had a beautiful blue one simiilar to the one on the left bottom side of the second photo. And I have the exact one in a smaller version as the one in that same photo on the bottom right.
ReplyDeleteVery cool suitcases. I never even thought of that. No, I wish I had some cute way of storing things.
ReplyDeleteI just put it into plastic bins. Well, I do use the containers that I buy Spinach in to store my sewing patterns and thread in. They are clear so I can see what is in them.
I am a throw away person so I maybe throw to much stuff away.
I need to do a purge pretty soon too.
I like how neat the suitcases look though.
This reminds me I need to have a big garage sale!..lol...I don't have as many as you but...I used to store linens in them but sold most of that...I think I want to live the second half of my life stuff free..working on it anyway!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great storage idea! I don't have a single old suitcase, but I find that I've been resisting the urge to pick one or two up that I've seen recently. Now I have a reason to get them!
ReplyDeleteMostly duffel bags and soft sides for the small amount of travel we do.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found me, I am now following your blog and have a link under Creating ... on my blog to your blog.
-Joy
There is something very romantic about these lovey old vessels.
ReplyDeleteIf they could talk!
I envy your suitcase collection! Wish I could find more.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
You have a beautiful collection of suitcases Kimberly! I have one - a brown 'leather' with my great aunt's initials stamped in gold under the handle. Not sure where it is right now. Hmmmm. Store the baby's toys in it until he visits again?? Yours sure do make great storage for you with only 2 closets!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the 1200 square foot house, me too! And we don't have basement here in Florida. I keep my suitcases in the garage, but they aren't empty I keep all of my pillow forms and pillow stuffing in them,
ReplyDeleteCarol
What a great collection you have! They are wonderful for storage, arent they? I only have one vintage suitcase but I love it. It holds my winter scarves and gloves.
ReplyDeleteThe only suitcase I own is the one I travel with. I put everything in crates and wire baskets. We all have what we love for storage. Your idea, keeps thing tidy looking and no one is the wiser. Great post:)
ReplyDeleteI do not, but I love your's for sure. So unique and even though I know they are old, they look new. Love them!
ReplyDeleteWow---you have a big collection of luggage... I used to have that exact suitcase (Samsonite---ivory colored one)... I actually had the entire set. My parents gave it to me when I went to college...
ReplyDeleteThese days, we own only 3 suitcases---but they seem adequate for us...
Glad you can use your suitcases for storage... Great idea.
Hugs,
Betsy
Great suitcases!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right.... every square inch counts when you have a smaller home. I still haven't quite figured out where to put everything after our recent move, and down sizing to our 'empty nest cottage.'
One thing that I do, is to store extra place settings in hat boxes. They stack beautifully just about any place in the house, and no-one is the wiser. Plus... they stay dust free, chip free, and ready to go.
Kimberly- I love all your suitcases. I don't have a collection like that but it is wonderful...and..what GREAT storage! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteNeat collection of suitcases! Clever to use them for storage too. I need to figure out a way to store all our stuff--or better yet, I need to sort through it all and get rid of a lot of it to cut down on the clutter. We are way overdue for doing that here. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Kimberly,
ReplyDeleteI love your suitcase collection!
I have two pine blanket boxes that I use for seasonal blankets, quilts etc.
One is cedar lined which is perfect for the wool blankets. The other one I use for my fabric stash...
I would like to find some nice old suitcases...someday!
All the Best,
Christine
You sure are a collector! Great pieces. I don't have any yet!! :( I will be on the lookout now.
ReplyDeleteI'd say you make good use of your collection of suit cases. They also are very decorative the way you stack them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet Nana. JB
I store things in my luggage. Then when I need to use it, I have to dump it out and shut the door until I get back! LOL! I had a 3 piece set of the Samsonite in ivory like in the second photo that's between the 2 blue cases. I got the set for college and it saw a lot of use! I still have the smaller of the 3, don't remember what happened to the other 2 pieces. That was a lonnnng time ago. :D
ReplyDeleteKimberly, I love your luggage. I see them on blogs, in decorating magazines and flea markets and have always wanted some. I never really had a reason to own any but now you have given me the great idea of storing fabric. I think most of us could use more storage no matter what size home we have.-----------Shannon
ReplyDeleteNope, none of my storage is so creative as that!
ReplyDeleteGood morning! this is a brilliant idea! I really NEED some suitcases. We only have one small one. I have no idea what happened to a couple of the ones we had over the years. Probably borrowed by kids and never returned, lol. I get rid of things easily, but what I keep is stored in plastic containers. Have a good day!
ReplyDeleteI love the suitcase "collection"...great idea for storage too!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
I love them...what a collection!
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful suitcases...now that makes me want to collect them...they really are show pieces
ReplyDeleteI have a half dozen vintage suitcases much like the ones in your first photo. I love the way they look and I use then for out-of-season clothing. My house is small and so are my closets, so I figured storage was as good excuse as any for a vintage collection! They are stacked in my office.
ReplyDeleteI love vintage suitcases...you have a wonderful collection! And they are very useful, too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI have only one old suitcase and it was one my mother took on her honeymoon. It holds a few of my childhood treasures.
I use blanket boxes at the end of each bed to store games, out of season cushions etc.
Love old suitcases! I want to start collecting them, but they are such big sellers at my antique store that I keep selling them instead of keeping some.....however, I did just come across the cutest small one and have decided to keep it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a classy way to "do-storage." !!! Much easier on the eye, than plastic boxes.
ReplyDeleteGentle hugs,
"May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!"
~~~Author Unknown
I have two sets of three but they are newer- not nostalic like yours! That's a good idea for putting extra clothing in. I too have little closet space. I have for years switched the seasons by putting my stuff in plastic tubs. I finally busted down my quantity of clothing so now I only switch out the seasonal tops.
ReplyDeleteWell girl, I think now you do have a collection of suitcases. Pretty nifty ones I might add. I have 4 vintage suitcases. One in sewing room. I have a decopodged sewing machine case and the antique sewing machine sitting on top. It does hold aome fabric. The other 3 are stacken in my bonus room where the grandies play. They are empty. I leave them empty because the kids love using them when they play dress ups. Often I find clothes they've left in them so they don't have to hang them back up. Smart kids, lol! I use alot of baskets in my walk-in closet. Metal containers are another favorite storage container of mine.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree you now have a collection and storage idea is super..I have zip suitcase well maybe that's not totally right - I have a set to travel with.. wink!
ReplyDeletehugs..
Hello.. I have just come across your blog from Kerin and must say it is lovely..
ReplyDeleteYour suitcases looks wonderful as well as so useful..
I love creative ideas..
Thank you..
Blessings from Eastern Canada..