Tuesday, May 19, 2015

vintage suitcases and ottomans

 Last month I showed you the vintage yellow suitcase I found at Secret Treasures and was wondering how best to use it. At the time, I was using a chest and the yellow suitcase as a coffee table.


But, the arrangement didn't work. It didn't look right with the round otttoman next to the suitcases. I tried just the suitcases in the middle of the rug and while it looked nice, it wasn't the right height for putting your feet up while sitting on the couch. We feel more comfortable with an ottoman or casual coffee table where we can put our feet up.


 I decided to try this empty-ish corner next to the couch.


I think this works for now. The chest was too big for the corner, so I used the yellow suitcase on the bottom and then added another suitcase on top. Serves as an end table. I'm not crazy about the IKEA lamp in the corner ~ it's too modern for my living room ~ but it'll have to do for now until I find just the right floor lamp for that space.


The two leather ottomans are back in place and so is Zippo - in one of his favorite napping spots.


 I really wanted to finish up some painting projects outside today, but can you believe it's only 49 degrees?! I am wearing long sleeves and a hoodie again - and had to turn on the heat in the house this morning when just a couple of days ago, we were running the air-conditioning. Such is the crazy weather in Chicagoland!

Sharing at Tweak it Tuesday.
 

16 comments:

  1. It's 49 degrees where you are? It's supposed to get up to 84 degrees in my neck of the woods. I had the windows open until a couple of hours ago. By the way, I think those suitcases fit perfectly in that corner. Your living room always looks so warm and cozy.

    Have a wonderful rest of the week... :)

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  2. Those look great in the corner. My daughter has two of those same lights like you have behind the suitcase/trunk. I love them at night- xo Diana

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  3. I really like the new home you found for your awesome suitcases, Melanie! Actually the lamp behind them provides a nice variation in texture and somewhat softens that corner.
    Mary Alice

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  4. I love the suitcases. Some people have the perfect knack for using them...maybe look at Pinterest. They look good in the corner but not so 'focal' as they were in front of your sofa.

    Wonky weather. I covered some of my plants, brought a few in and I'm praying for the rest! It's supposed to be back up to 70 on Thursday. Ha!

    Jane x

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  5. I would love to find some old suitcases. I like yours in the corner.

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  6. Old suitcases are so lovely and so expensive here in Australia. I have some that belonged to my mother and grandmother. Lucky me. I like how you have used them.

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  7. Plus...bonus! Great hidden storage! I am always looking for extra storage.

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  8. I love how they look in the corner. I think they fit really well there. The best part is that you can hide things inside. I have a coffee table in the living room with built-in basket storage and drawers and trays - hides a multitude of sins. :) It's cooler than normal here too; we haven't needed to use our swamp (evaporative) cooler yet, and in fact, the heat came on Sunday morning. I hope summer doesn't kick our butts later on!

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  9. Love the vintage suitcases beside your couch. It does look really nice there. And Zippo! Wow...how nice to see that he is still thriving. How old is he now? I remember that picture of him and Tim laying under the Christmas tree but Tim was still a little boy.

    My mother had been here for a long visit so I was out of blogland for a time but am back again. Hope to catch up with older posts from you in the coming days.

    Hugs from Holland,
    Heidi

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  10. I love old suitcases and use them in our bedroom for storage. I liked them in front of the sofa too, adds charm to the room. I'd use the ottomans as side tables. I'm going to visit that Secret Treasures on our way back from our DIL in who in Madison, WI. Love visiting new place.

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  11. Love the vintage suitcases beside your couch. It does look really nice there. And Zippo! Wow...how nice to see that he is still thriving. How old is he now? I remember that picture of him and Tim laying under the Christmas tree but Tim was still a little boy.

    My mother had been here for a long visit so I was out of blogland for a time but am back again. Hope to catch up with older posts from you in the coming days.

    Hugs from Holland,
    Heidi

    ReplyDelete
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  15. The suitcase look great in the corner :)

    The weather has been crazy here too. A few days ago it was hailing and 50, this weekend it'll be in the 80s, and then it'll be in the 60s and 70s again. I'm not going to complain though, because summer isn't my favorite season.

    xo

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