Suitcases

Jul9

Summer holiday begins with packing all the needed stuff in the suitcases. This happened the same way in old times also, but suitcases looked a bit different. They had no wheels, pull-out handles and combination locks. They were frequently made of leather/faux-leather with propping only in their frames. Box-like, inflexible-sided versions were popular too, which looked like very big briefcases. Quality pieces of old times often served a lifetime. They were even inherited through generations laying in attics or used as storages. In lucky case they had stickers of the visited towns on their sides. If we would like to keep these old pieces but use them also, give them a new life by transforming them to our needs.
Separate the two equal part of the suitcase at the hinges. Make a wooden brace frame created by a carpenter (if that is a flexible-sided suitcase, it needs a brace there too). Place two shelves in it, so that a computer can be fitted in. The ventilation and attaching cables are guaranteed because it is open in the front and the back also. Fix four small legs on the bottom. Leave the original handle, locks and other parts on it, these are great decorating elements. It will look good placed beside the desk in a classic or even in an industrial interior.
Our pets deserve comfortable lairs, but those in shops are quite expensive. The old suitcase can be good for this purpose also with a little fantasy. Open the cover in right angle. Fix it in this position on both sides with braces. Drill four holes on the bottom for screwing the legs. Upholster a custom-cut foam or a big cushion with the desired (washable) fabric. Put it in the lower part of the suitcase, but it should cover the screws of the legs. We can pad the upper part too but if the lining remains visible, it will look very good also. There will be enough space even for our pet’s toys. This is a stylish lair for dogs and cats.
Suitcases can get a new life as wall shelves also. Cut into two parts lengthwise the closed, inflexible-sided suitcase. This way handle will be on one side, the hinges on the other. Fix it on the wall by a pre-drilled console, but the console should be hidden by it. Another solution: drill the suitcase on the wall uprightly. This way the wall cabinet has a sidelong opening „door” that can serve as a mini bar or a medicine cabinet.
Pile up several suitcases (if they are not inflexible-sided, they should be filled with e.g. polystyrene bricks). Reaching the desired height it will be a perfect night table. We can make a night table from one piece only if we fix long legs to the laid suitcase. The inflexible-sided variation is a much more practical choice for this.
Of course, antique suitcases will be showy using them as „only” storage boxes. Ask for help of an interior designer for more ideas.

My project 21.

May18

The renovation of this 56 sqm downtown flat for a very nice woman was finished last year. The main tasks were space reorganization and creating enough storage. The old kitchen is now the bedroom for taking advantage of the small back-balcony, so the pantry became a gardrobe. The new kitchen was created by removing the wall between a small room and the entrance space. The old hall’s wall was also removed, this way there was enough space for the dining area and large wardrobes. The central space is much more roomy and livable. The neutral cream and brown colors provide the calm base that is enlivened by different hues of blue, from turquoise to cobalt.
More photos: http://classicinteriors.hu/hu/referenciak/20-referencia/60-referencia15

Shoe-storage

Apr25

Hidden shoe storages, not for lack of space only

Multifunction

Feb28

Multifunctional furniture with extra storage

Pot plants indoor

Jan26

Decoratif storage solutions for pot plants indoor keeping in winter

Trash bins

Nov17

Stylish hide-away solutions for garden trash bins

Storage boxes

Nov10

It’s easy to make tidiness with decorative storage boxes

Toy storage

Nov6

Toys of children can overrun the whole house if we don’t care. A separate playroom is available only in a few homes and sometimes there is not enough space in the kids’ room also for storages. The play-area is created frequently in the living room’s corner. This is why creative storage solutions are important and after playing the living space could be ordered and neat again.
Maybe the simplest solution is that kind of shelved cabinet where baskets can be put in also. This way it reabsorbs all the little things, but decorative or frequently used toys are on hands too. Similar cabinets could be made by measure also, which has parts with doors, open shelves and parts with basket also, for the bigger toys (e.g. board games). Doors can be painted with blackboard paint or cork can be fixed on it, this way the cabinet will have more functions.
Let’s make a „hammock” from fabric fitting for the children’s room. Saw ropes to both ends of it and it can be rolled-up by fixing it to the ceiling with two screws, just like a retractable clothes dryer. Fill it with plush animals and after use just lift it up. Harder objects shouldn’t be put in it because of falling hazard.
If a cabinet can’t be fit in, bigger wall jardinières shall be bought (it can be metal or wicker also). It will be a perfect storage space for doodads, fixed to the wall or the inner part of the cabinet door. Buckets and baskets with handles are suitable for this too, they just won’t slick to the wall. A wooden box sawn in two, painted and fixed to the wall is a perfect solution also.
If the kid’s bed has no bedding holder, the space under it can be used. We gain easily movable storage spaces by simple crates with wheels. Decorate it by taste, even with names in the case of more children.
Custom-made shelves can be made for bigger collections (matchboxes, Lego, Barbie dolls etc.), where the child can make a mini exhibition also. This way they can be seen out of playtime but they don’t get in the way. The similarity to exhibition can be enhanced by using spot lighting.
Ask for help of an interior designer for solving storage problems also.

TV2 interview

Oct11

My interview by interior design series “Szépítők” of TV2 can be seen on this link. It starts right after the short introduction.
https://tv2.hu/musoraink/szepitok/245440_csokkentheto-a-lakashitel-osszege.html