Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Vintage Luggage

I went on a Hartmann Luggage kick when I first moved to Middle Tennessee since their main factory is in Lebanon, a short drive East of here. My brother Jim, notorious for his knowledge of all high-quality brands, got me started on their bags. He and his wife were avid collectors of the luggage; and the first year they came down, we went to Hartmann's day-after-Thanksgiving sale. Oh my. He bought me several pieces for a late birthday gift in their red and brown large polka dot Luxe pattern. I still love all my pieces to this day and use them every chance I get.

Before we found a house here, we rented a small apartment for a couple of years. In that little apartment, I would hit Ebay with decorating on the brain. I thought a vintage guest room would be cute, complete with vintage luggage. And so folks, that is where this little piece came from. (Don't you love the paisley fabric?) I think it's probably 1960s/70s vintage. It was extremely cheap, and I knew I would have the perfect spot for it once we found a house. Of course, it has been in one closet or another since I bought it! Until now.

I was skimming through one of my mags the other day and saw the cutest idea for a pet bed. Get an old piece of luggage, add legs to the bottom, put a blanket in it and voila, instant bed. It even has a spot to put the toys!

I took the old bag out and put it in the living room where Miss Bev proceeded to get right into it. I knew then that it would be a perfect resting spot for the cats.

The kid and I went to the hardware store and picked up four wooden finials with the screws already in them and four 2 inch square wood molding pieces. I stained them brown and drilled holes into the square pieces and the bottom of the luggage where I could screw the finials into the wooden pieces on the inside of the bag. I then put an old blanket in the bottom, closed the ribbon pulls over it and it was done.

The babies love it. Bev, of course, got first dibs; but now Dave is sleeping in it. I put it behind the sofa facing the kitchen so they can keep an eye on all the action. (I think I need to stain the legs a little darker to make them look older. And one leg is a little crooked!! hehe.) But isn't this the cutest?

I tell you, some people are just too creative. I never, in a million years, would have thought about using this for a pet bed. But now, it is just the perfect accessory for my little ones. And they seem to agree! There's only one left to try it out--Abby. I'll keep you posted!

16 comments:

Lena said...

Well, Miss Bev and Dave sure seem happy with it! What a beautiful suitcase. It looks really good under the table too. Love this idea Rosa...thanks for sharing it.

P.S. It's raining here!!!

Isabella in the 21st Century said...

This a lovely idea! A cosy place for your cats. (I've been having trouble accesssing your blog for a little while now...but I think bloggger is behaving itself OK, for the moment!)

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

That's a great idea! I bet your kitties love it...
Miss Bev and Dave look real sweet in their new bed!

Susie said...

What a clever and decorative idea! I'm afraid my big beast of a cat would break off the legs! LOL

TJ said...

what a cute idea!!!
:-D

Ellen said...

hi rosa
this is my suitcase!
and i now feel like the old bag ;)
... vintage luggage LOL indeed LOL (our first married christmas,1978, this was our gift to each other.)

I too have the tweed one that matched my bman's leather; dayum delta cut a huge slashing hole on our trip to sanjuan, hartman fixed it no questions asked. i love the leather garment bag, she's acquired a soft patina.
i would imagine my cats would love to have a dream or two in it too...poor deprived souls never had a *BED* (tho they sleep on top of any luggage given half a chance.) I called my hubby in to show this to him and he thinks you are a genius but told me *you are not to touch my suitcase * LOL

kansasrose said...

This is so cute! I love that suitcase! The kitties really made it home too. Hmmmm...I wonder if this would work with my "retro" 1969 hot pink Saturn hard plastic suitcase? My cat would most likely gasp is he saw that pink plastic. :O

Farmgirl Cyn said...

How sweet is that??? We have 3 cats, and I'm sure every one of them would love a "kitty hotel". But for now, they have the underwear drawer, the ironing basket, (yes, we have to re-wash the top layer!), and the foot of my bed!

Shelley said...

Cats are so funny. Mine do the same thing. They like to claim whatever new or out of place thing I have.

LOL


Shelley

Carole Burant said...

What a brilliant idea!! And it looks perfect where you put it too...it will certainly be a conversational piece!!

tlchang said...

I love old luggage! I have several stacks of matching luggage in various places that hold off-season clothing and Halloween costumes. But I'm sure my cat would love that - she has to sit in any new box or bag that she is presented with.

Linda said...

I'm keeping my open for vintage luggage that is affordable just to use for great looking storage. My cat, Elliot, had a cute little bed that I bought that he loved. All of the sudden he won't go near it, even after I put it through a cycle in my washing machine and coated the inside of it with cat hair. I don't know if something bit him or what so now I have to look for another bed. It won't be as posh as yours though.

wendybirde said...

Waaay too adorable. But then nothing is too much for the true princes and princesses of the earth (as your feline friends will gladly tell you) : )

I've gotten into the habit of coming here more and more and have really been enjoying your lovely posts. So much so that I've added you to my sidebar (under journals for the journey). Ive been meaning to do it for a while now, but today I finally got them updated--that catagory at least, not most of the others yet.

Anyway, just letting you know how much I enjoy your very sweet blog Rosa : )

paris parfait said...

Love what you've done with the vintage luggage (and I'm mad about vintage luggage)! It seems your cats have claimed their own bags.

Beth said...

That is too dang cute!!! What a great idea!! Don't they just look snug as a cat in a case ? lol

Tea said...

Awwwwwwwwwww.......perfect!!

tea
xo

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