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Saturday, November 6, 2010

What's in your coffee table?

I was browsing through one of many of CSN stores online sites 
when I stumbled across their contemporary coffee tables
 and found this trunk styled table.

I love finding extra storage. In an old farmhouse, closet space is hard to come by so, sometimes, you have to be a little creative. Like the vintage suitcases I've come across thrifting that now house our music CDs.
Or the old trunk, that once carried the belongings of the Artist's great grandfather across the Atlantic
and is now home to, well, a trunk full of board games.
So tell me, what ingenious ways have you come up with for extra storage?

Tell me and you could win a gift certificate valued at $35 for any one of 200+ CSN online stores!

And because it's Saturday night and I feel alright, leave a second comment telling me that you are a Rural Reveler or have just become one (yay!) and you will double your chances to win. 

May your Saturdays never end. 

Unless you're retired, then everyday is Saturday.


  ~Enjoy your weekend friends!~

38 comments:

Laurie at Turner Farm said...

Love that trunk ~ I have one similar to it with a similar family history. Very clever with the vintage luggage. May have to use that idea.

Deb said...

I use old suitcases too, I'm not very original I'm afraid but I hope you'll count me in anyway!

Verde Farm said...

Andrea, love the trunk and what history! The suitcases with your CD's, another great idea and they look great--love the little furry creature on top too. I am always looking for ways to store things creatively. I love to use hat boxes. I have old hat boxes and some hold my scarves, some my vintage cards and letters from many years, etc. I also like to use baskets for everything. I have a large basket in my guest room that holds all my quilts and blankets for anyone needing extra warmth.
Amy xo

Verde Farm said...

I am a Rural Reveler and very proud to be!! :)
Amy

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hello Andrea!
I love your suitcases and trunk...great ways to store things. You're so right about old homes not having much closet or storage space. Here in our little farm cottage we need all the storage space we can dream up...I'm still working on it. In our kitchen the fridge sits in a corner that is up against a chimney and a base cabinet so there was a wasted space in between the two. We added narrow shelves and now use it as a pantry. It's amazing how a tiny space can actually hold a ton of jars and boxes etc. I also use our good suitcases to store my seasonal bedding. We only travel once a year so why not use the empty space! Have a wonderful day...enjoy your farm! Maura :)

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

OH goodness...I'm a follower Andrea :)

Unknown said...

I love the vintage trunk and suitcases for storage. Our newer home has tons of storage space (I actually have a couple of empty closets!) but it is seriously lacking the character of older farmhouses.
I love using old dressers and sideboards as TV stands. They have great storage space and have more character than the new metal tv stands.

Unknown said...

I'm also a Rural Reveler! Thanks for the chance.

ain't for city gals said...

I have a large Mexican style coffee table (that is patiently waiting in the shop) ..I loved it. I used half for blankets and the other half I kept empty for when unexpected company came...everything was thrown in super fast to tidy up...

Elle Bee said...

I've missed you!! Thought I'd come on by and see what you've been up to. :o) Love to see little glimpses of the old farmhouse. Love that trunk and the story that goes with it. I feel like I never have enough storage space even tho this house was built with loads of it! And I'm not a pack rat, I promise! I find that I maximize my storage by labeling. I label everything. I keep shoeboxes and baskets and whenever I need to store something, I label an old shoebox and get to organizing. :o) Goodnight from the crazy labeling lady.

Elle Bee said...

Rural Reveler circa 2009.

Lisa ~Suburban Retreat~ said...

Hi Andrea ... love your old suitcases and trunk. I have a couple of old trunks around here stuffed with various items including fabric. I also have a sideboard and china cabinet that I use to store linens, cd's, napkins and extra dishes.

Lisa ~Suburban Retreat~ said...

P.S. ~ I Revel here often!

Anke said...

Several years ago we bought a cedar chest at a little antique store and used it as a coffee table. We have since bought a "real" table, but the chest now sits in our hallway and doubles as seating. In the chest are all the girl's bed linens. Were also lucky enough to be given a very old wicker trunk (from my Grandfathers cousins) and in it are all the tablecloths and "fancy" napkins.

Anke said...

Been a rural reveler for a while now...
Have a great Sunday!

Lisa said...

I use trunks also, and under beds. Rubbermaid totes are great to protect stuff when it's in the attic. But the best is decluttering. But that's not always possible.

Lisa said...

I am also a rural revivalist, for a few months now.

Chris at Red Gate Farm said...

Well... in my coffee table? It just has two little drawers so its supposed to hold the remotes and the DVD's from Netlix... however those objects never seem to be there. HMMM.

I do have a cool old bicycle basket that holds games, a cedar chest from my greatgrandmother holds my wrapping paper and most of my clothes are in an old school cabinet.

LOVE the idea about putting CD's in a suitcase though. I have 2 very old suitcases that I might just have to get out and try that one.
Chris

Chris at Red Gate Farm said...

And like so many before me, I'm also a Rural Reveler!
Chris

Mary, Windy Meadows Farm said...

Closet space...what is that?! My closet is teeny tiny, and Little Man's closet wraps behind a staircase making it interesting, but not practical. Agreed...trunks, pie safes, cupboards, anywhere a bit of extra space can be found!

Jackie said...

Hi There Andrea! I've been a Rural Reveler for at least a year now! I love the trunks and suitcases. I use old picnic baskets as lamp tables and store linens in them. I also use old suitcases to store my journals. My house was built in 1968 so there very little closet space here too...at least compared to the homes built recently. Oh, and my coffee table is a trunk and we store quilts in it.
Have a great day.
Jackie

2 Tramps said...

Creative storage is a must around here. My Dad's old navy trunk has been used as a coffee table here for years. Two large vintage wardrobe suitcases, stacked and covered with a piece of bevel edged glass is also a coffee table. Ditto on the stacked suitcases - and everything we use is from family/friends and has history that we know and love.

Also a Rural Reveler here!

Dog Trot Farm said...

Andrea, I too have a trunk similar to yours, mine is in our bedroom and stores extra bedding and pillows. My grandmother's old suitcase holds old photos and vintage milk crates give a home to magazines. I refurbish old cheese boxes and store my precious Christmas ornaments in them. I do love the coffee table shown in your post.

Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarm said...

Andrea,
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and leaving such a nice comment. I'm with you and storing things in trunks - love them. I'm fortunate enough to have a couple that my father-in-law made years and years ago as well as one from my husband's great-grandmother. Great storage coupled with great memories.
I will definitely be back soon - your blog is wonderful.
Staci

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

My name is misha and I live in a farmhouse cottage. It only has one "real" closet. I am quite creative, just like Andrea, and have found many new ways for storing stuff.
This Christmas, I will be schlepping an old camel back steamer trunk when I return to Tn. from Ohio! YAY! It has been in the fam for years.
I love your suitcases. That was a neat giveaway that you got the cat with them!!
I hope there is a cat in my steamer trunk. meow.
xo, misha

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

I am misha. And I was the first follower of Rural Revival.
Yay, me.
Don't be jeal!

John Going Gently said...

you have an eclectic and lovely blog
greetings from wales

The Fairy's Apprentice said...

yeah, maybe is not original, but I am gratefull you mentioned this! I have an old trunk I use for toys storage (with 3 kids, I need a lot!!!) and I never thought to used as a table! Soon I will :), tks for sharing!

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

I'm a basket user! I'd love to use old suitcases, but I can never find a good one.

Trish @TheOldPostRoad said...

Would love to do a little shopping !
-Trish

teekaroo said...

I love old trunks. I have a camel back trunk, as well as an old wooden trunk and a tea chest. They are all stuffed with storage and projects. I also like to keep ongoing projects out in baskets.

teekaroo said...

Oh, and I'm a reveler

Cassaundra Smith said...

Those vintage suitcases are totally my thing.:) We are all about antiquing in our house! When we got our home, We didn't have a pantry. So, my father built some lovely shelves in in our wide hallway, with elegant moldings, and painted it a cream color with with a brown glaze to antique it. It looks beautiful, and it's very functional.

Cassaundra Smith said...

Oh yes, and I am a rural reveler. :)

~Cassaundra

pippirose said...

The trunk is beautiful!
For storage, I use an old cedar chest...and baskets, lots of baskets!
:o)
pippirose59 at gmail dot com

Liz said...

My storage tip: buy no furniture that lacks drawers or cubbies! Thanks for the giveaway!

eemoody77 at gmail dot com

Liz said...

I'm a new Reveler!

Anonymous said...

Those blue suitcases are pretty much to die for gorgeous! Kitty obviously loves them too. :-))


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