Making the most of what one has often requires optimistic eyes. Welcome to Rose Colored Glasses, a blog all about realizing the beauty, and often hidden potential in creating home design on a budget.


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

All my bags are packed...

I just love me an old suitcase, don't you? A little treasure. A real piece of the past...a story of travels and desinations. The older, the better!  Perhaps used when leaving loved ones or even reuniting. It's the same reason I suppose that I love old, old, and older homes. They have a story of their own and with that lies the magic and mystery.  So, yeah when I find an old suitcase, I get a little excited :)  To give you an idea, the last time my brother-in-law was visiting he asked if someone was taking a trip somewhere, lol!  Here's a random stack in my livingroom. What!? It matches my holiday decor!
 This is what I did today with some of my stock pile of old suitcases...yes, it's a nightstand!
 Believe it or not I actually had a hard time drilling holes for the legs in the bottom suitcase, it kinda hurt...until I saw the end result of course! The best part is these are glued to each other but can still be opened and used for storing personal items. Score!
 See, I told you...all the Jane Eyre and Bronte you can handle!  It might be harder to part with these than I have imagined, but the good news is I still have plenty laying around and since I can't seem to pass them up at yard sales and thrifts I am not too worried.
Here are some other fun used I found on pinterest today...loooove the suitcase shelves and have seriously thought about copying this idea, I love it that much...still not sure I could go through with sawing them in half though. Baby steps people.
 Oh these ones are making me drool, now that is some serious age...oh the places they've been!!!
 and last but not least, I thought this was a charming and yet simple way to display a message...wish I had a lakehouse to make one for :). Hey, maybe some of my suitcases have been to a lakehouse before! ;)
 
So that's it for tonight. I have a large end table/small coffee table that I should be able to finish tomorrow so hopefully I can find the time to get it posted this week.  Hmmm, what would you do with an old suitcase?

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

A yellow bench for the country.

I am just finishing up this bench for a clients mother. I would love something like this christmas morning but I would have to find a place for it and that might be a problem since my house has already reached its max on furniture :) This yellow beauty will end up on her covered porch in the country. I might just have to drive over one day to see it :) Don't ask me why the photo is so blurry but it's late and I am lazy enough to let it slide.
 Here's a clearer, closer up pic of some of the lines and distressing. I just love yellow...
 
Well, I am not sure what will be next, either a vanity or some old doors turned shelves, or a new/but old pantry door in my kitchen, or a weathered sign...well you get the picture, hehe. Time to get back at it :)
Ericka