the trunk evolution

The humble vintage suitcase has evolved. From simple coffee table solutions, suitcase stack tables and even floating shelves, there are now many creative people up-cycling, refurbishing & repurposing vintage suitcases into even more functional decorator pieces.  These designer pet beds from Atomic Attic make me want to buy a small dog just so I can purchase one!

Loving these upholstered seats by South African brand Recreate, and yes they ship to Australia!

The guys at Ballarat based Australian company Trunk & Orderly have gone one step further and designed retro styled suitcases for the modern man,woman or child. From lunch boxes & travel cases to bespoke storage pieces. Check out the full scoop at The Design Files.

I almost forgot about the coolest trunk remodeling I have seen to date, The Boom case. Yes they are portable boom boxes made from vintage suitcases, need I say more?

in trunk we trust

I have long been a fan of vintage suitcases & travel trunks. A collection always looks more impressive than a lonesome handsome trunk. Below are some ingenious ways to use them as functional pieces in the home.  Sophie & Dale from the tv series 'The Block' created some fantastic suitcase drawers which inspired this post.

images courtesy of: (clockwise from top) homes.ninemsn.com.au/theblock,
designersblock.blogspot.com.au, safaffect.wordpress.com

images courtesy of: (clockwise from top) stephfascinations.blogspot.com.au,
justbaustralia.com.au, bellemaison23.com, theyellowcottage.wordpress.com,
jamesplumb.co.uk.

Industrial finds on Etsy . . . . .

If you were admiring Sophie's industrial jar light fitting on 'The Block' check out these ultra cool light fittings from  Boots N Gus.  Am in love with these pipe bookshelves from Stella Bleu Designs and these upcycled vintage fittings from Hibernation Restoration would look great in my dream warehouse apartment. Just calculating the shipping costs now . . .



left: Hibernation Restoration, Centre: Stella Bleu Designs, Right: Boots N Gus



'The Block' redo

After watching 'The Block' Elimination challenges I couldn't help but think about my room ideas based around that Fenton & Fenton chair. Although the chair is gorgeous it's not really my style, so I wondered how I could mix it up and add some red to make it more me.

The result is below, A bedroom based on warm grey hues of the central chair, with mustard yellow, off white, woodgrain and of course highlights of red in an eclectic style of my own.

The Block: Sophie & Dale's vintage styling

If you have been watching the Australian renovation tv series 'The Block' you may be slightly disappointed in the calibre of interior styling this season. Apart from Dale & Sophie's creative vintage style the rest of the couples houses are in desperate need of some soul & individuality!

('The Block' is a competitive reality tv series in which 4 couples are given 4 houses to renovate. The series ends with a finale auction, the winner is the team that sells their house for the highest price above the reserve price.)

Seen below are Dale & Sophie's Elimination Challenge Children's bedroom & the key chair which was the starting point for the room, as well as a few unique details from their latest room reveals.

Photos courtesy of:  The Chair - Fenton & Fenton, The Block room reveals -
http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/theblock

To view the other contestants rooms:
http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/theblock/galleries/

a little red shopping list

a little red love

My love of glossy red things is unparallelled, add an industrial edge and I am in heaven. A close source tells me that I even shop for red things in my sleep!  A touch of red in a neutral greyscale interior can really make a statement.

Clockwise from top left: designsponge.com, moneypitlove.blogspot.com.au, gracie-senseandsimplicity.blogspot.com.au, lushlee.com, rubyandroseinteriors.blogspot.com.au, zainteriora.net.