LIFE AT THE COTTAGE

Monday, August 15, 2011

An Open and Shut Case



I thought you might be interested in seeing some more of the stuff pulled out
of the barns and outbuildings—to be "dealt" with, during the


I had quite a stash of vintage trunks, suitcases, and assorted
storage bins to sift through. 

And you would think that by now, I would
automatically grab the camera for before and after pics.

Unfortunately, I was so caught up in just "getting it done," I forgot to
take a before photo of the rather large stack of
stashed storage containers.


So far, I've eliminated an antique humpback trunk, several vintage suitcases,
a vintage skate case, two antique shoe-salesman cases,
and several old crates.

WHEW!!!

The four pieces you see, in the second image above, are the four I've decided
to keep.  Well, actually, there's a fifth one that sweet son has
expressed an interest in, so I'm not counting it.

I found the pumpkin-colored suitcase at a thrift store, years ago, for a mere $2.00. 
It's a piece of Maxonite Maximillion luggage
 from the very early sixties


This vintage piece is from the Samson line—the predecessor to
the very familiar Samsonite luggage line.  I only paid $2.00 for it, as well—
at yet another thrift store.

I really like how the patina has darkened
in certain places, over the years, to a rich blackish-brown. 


This vintage file box—record album sorter—is one of my favorite pieces
of all time.  Both the exterior and interior of it are covered in,
what appears to be, some type of oilcloth.

Its time-weathered patina was perfect when I found it,
but...


the incredible vintage details of this piece were what sold me on it.



I've had this old beauty for so long, I can't even remember exactly how long I've owned it. 
But, I do remember that I found it at one of my favorite
flea markets and only paid $3.00 for it—marked down from $5.00. 


This is the inside of the old trunk you see in the second image above.  It was a more
 recent purchase than the other three—picked up just a few years ago.

The Yankee and I were out one Saturday morning and drove past
a local barn sale.
 
I convinced him to turn around so we could check it out,
and was so glad he consented to do so.

This charming relic of antiquity was tucked under a table,
 fairly obscured by all sorts of junk—and not the good kind either.  

The Yankee retrieved it from
its hiding place and inquired as to my thoughts about it. 

I was more than a little surprised that he even had to ask.
Of course, I wanted it!
And for a whopping $1.00, it was mine.   ; )


Now that I've rediscovered it, I'm considering the various possibilities
of what can be stored in it.


It's loaded with neat little cubbies on both sides—which make it perfect
for storing bits and pieces and tiny treasures.

But now I need to figure out the best things to store in it!  Decisions, decisions!!!
How would you use it?


Well, at least I've whittled down one collection
 and can call this one an open and shut case...

I think!   ; )



Diane's 2nd Time Around, Rebekah's Anything Related, Kristin's Tuesday's Treasures
Suzanne's Vintage Thingie Thursday, LaurieAnna's Farmhouse Friday,

36 comments:

  1. wow, how exciting to choose. I love to see vintage suitcases stacked in a room used in place of an occasional table. If you decide to list any on e bay please let me know, i'd love to buy some! Sally xx

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  2. I almost didn't open this post because I knew it would be filled with wonderful stuff that I would want! And I was right...very cute suitcases and so many different types. Wonderful!

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  3. Oh....so cool! I would use it in my Scrapbook Room and display/store my supplies~ SO envious you are in antique country. When we vacationed in PA we had a ball visiting shops and roadside sales of lots of old, wonderful treasures!

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  4. I really like the suitcases! The ones I usually see are so beat up no one wants them! lol! These are beauties! I read about a lady that collected all her Christmas gifts and stored them in displayed cases throughout the year. I would probably use them for all my extra dishes.

    XO,
    Janie

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  5. Really great suitcases. i love the trunk one with all the cubbies. I think it is perfect for your bits and bobs of lace and buttons. If I had one I would use it in my office/ craft room for just that.

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  6. Love them!! The one with the cubbies is super!

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  7. I love vintage suitcases and containers. That last $1.00 find was an awesome deal.

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  8. Those cases are all fantastic. I have a soft spot for vintage cases. I own several steamer trunks of various sizes and shapes. I'm a new blogger and featured one of my recent case finds on my second blog post. Thanks for sharing. I'm a follower!

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  9. Love your collection! Tomorrow I'll be posting about a vintage suitcase that needed some love (which it's getting tonight!)

    Angie

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  10. Hi Liz,
    Love the warm tones of the suitcases!
    I would use them as extra storage, displayed in a corner of your home. Where you could enjoy them everyday.
    All the Best,
    Christine

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  11. You found, and kept, some great vintage suitcases! Great photos, too!!!

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  12. Oh I am in vintage suitcase heaven. I LOVE the last piece you show opened and displayed with all the goodies. I would find a spot and display it just like that - open and showing all the goodies you have tucked inside. It would be like a little treasure hunt.
    Visiting from Tuesday Treasures :)
    Roselle

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  13. WOWOW! You got into my dreamland and pulled out all of my favorite trunks!

    Smiles,
    The Joyful Thrifter

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  14. In this "case" I think you have made a good decision to keep these pieces. The make great display pieces.

    But... but my eye keeps gravitating towards that pitchfork with the curled tines, or is it forks?


    xoxo Bunny Jean
    Bunny Jean's Decor and More! (my Main blog)

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  15. Hello, visiting from Nifty Thrifty and love the suitcases you have decided to keep. The file case is awesome! Also, the title of this post is very clever!

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  16. I love old trunks, suitcases, and hope chests. They are so special to me because you can fill them with treasures and memories. Thanks for sharing those. Your post made me smile today.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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  17. Great finds! Love the "index" on the file box!

    -caroline @ c.w.frosting

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  18. Found your site from Dittle Dattle and I'm sure glad I did! Nice place to visit! I'm your newest follower.
    Susan @ homeroad.net

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  19. Love the suitcases! Thanks so much for linking to 2nd Time Around!

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  20. You have a great collection...glad that you kept them!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  21. Wow Liz! I love that trunk with all the little cubbies. It's perfect with all the treasures you have displayed. I used to have a filing box almost exactly like yours. It was full of old records with the titles written on the index. Those are real keepers indeed!!

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  22. You styled this whole post so beautifully. Looks like a magazine article.

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  23. Love old suitcases, nice shots!

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  24. I love the one with the cubbies. Perfect for storing all those neat little dust catchers I've collected over the years.

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  25. what clever ideas you did for the vintage box. i love :)

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  26. I love these... especially the orange one and the last one. The challenge will be to find a collection with enough sizes to fill up each little cubby! Great prices you paid for them, too!

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  27. Well, that is just too fun! Nothing like old suitcases mixed with greenery.=) Great idea!http://bellesbazaar-heather.blogspot.com/

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  28. Great finds but what about the FABULOUS wheel in the photo.... ?? Was that a find too... did I miss you talking about that... maybe I will go read it again. I LOVE old wheels. I never find them!

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  29. I have just the spot for those vintage case, giggle. Big hugs

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  30. Excited to be your 800th follower. Beautiful blog. Partying with you today at LaurieAnna's.

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  31. Your vertical file box is actually a carrying case for music records.

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  32. Such beautiful picture and I love old suitcases...oh if they could tell us of the adventures they have been on the vacations...business trips...so fun!

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  33. I so love your blog and hope to gain some new creativity. I share your love for the old, tried and tested like faith and vintage items! Hope you'll follow my blog as I love yours!

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Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to comment.