Tracy Porter Blog… be inspired!

Tracy… LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the suitcase shelf!
Can you share how you mounted it on the wall?
What hardware did you use? I have two of my Mother’s suitcases downstairs screaming at me to do something with and one them is the right size.
It has those luscious silky, baggy pockets on the sides. Those were always magical to me.
So how did you secure your suitcase to the wall?
Thank you!
Jennifer

What a cool new use for a vintage suitcase. It looks great. Think I might use this in a bathroom to hold pretty perfume bottles, stacks of white washcloths, and books (yes, I DO read in there) would be perfect over the tub…

Tracy…
You’ve done it again! What a GREAT idea.
I would even like to use that idea somewhere in my studio to hold some supplies.. (I seem to always need more storage space!)
Thanks… as always for sharing such wonderfully creative ideas!
~*~*~*~*~Sandi

I cannot believe this video. I actually have an old suitcase that I am carrying around…from room to room. I SO want to use it but had not found “the” spot. Tracy – how very clever. But, you must tell me the mechanics of HOW you attached it to the wall. Tres cute! Merci…

I love this idea!!!!!!!! I have a HUGE collection of vintage suitcases.
Tracy, You are my HERO! I absolutely LOVE your passion for life. I’m older than you but, that doesn’t stop me from wanting to be just like you when I grow up!
I’m hoping you can share with me the artist and name of the song that is playing on the video of your photo shoot.
Thanks for always inspiring us!!!

Genius!!! I’ve been out of town and catching up on all of your videos. I missed all of your inspiring ideas while I was gone but it has been so much fun watching many segments at once. Can’t wait to steal the suitcase shelf idea from you!

Tracy,

My jaw dropped when I saw what you were doing here……an old suitcase shelf! I have never seen anything like it. I think it makes the space look so warm and pretty…..the colors of the items on the shelf are beautiful. And what about that screen door??? I love it! I want to tell you that my “re-purposing” claim to fame is that I found an old cast iron, rusty, white-washed garden urn and I had it made into a powder room sink. It is a very heavy piece and sits atop a piece of limestone on the travertine tiled floor. The faucet is a wall mount and the water splashes into the deep bowl of the urn when turned on. I have to put stones in the bottom of the bowl to help with drainage…..it looks like it belongs outdoors, like a fountain, and I just know my little ones wash their hands more because they love to use it. PS: Waiting for my TP boxes to arrive, yeah!

Tracy, What an awesome idea. I have a suitcase on the floor in my guest room, with books and an old set of childrens dishes on the top, may have to find a new place on the wall. Love the screen door, does it go anywhere? Your guests are truly pampered, with your wonderful ideas, and the medicine chest filled with all the goodies. Do you take reservations?????

Oh.My.Goodness!! I LOVE THIS!!

Tracy love, this idea is literally off the wall !!!!!!! I ADORE this……. I agree with Jennifer, this would be divine in a bathroom with toiletries, wash cloths, hand towels, tissues, a couple of antique books, pictures……… I am sooooo digging this………..I have a vintage PICNIC basket that is the same size of your suitcase, the top swings down with an old braided looking chain……what is your take on maybe trying that on the wall?… maybe fabric inside?…..
Kim…… Very creative, what you have done with the old garden urn……would love to see that!…. You need a suitcase hanging on the wall in that same powder room with lots of goodies, including pictures of old urns or flowering urns in a garden love!……. That would be killer!
PS… I am with Kim on the vintage screen door…. Brilliant!

So fun Tracy! My son’s favorite park is next to our local thrift store and so I’m always rummaging in there after park time. Funny enough I grabbed a funky old suitcase in there for $3 last saturday with no idea in mind. They work great as end tables and on top of armoires but this…………..this is fabulous and so CLEVER. I’m all over this with my suitcase. thank you!!! BTW the dress you have on is KILLER!

Tracy, do you dream of these ideas while sleeping? There are not enough hours in the day for you to come up with such delights. very clever.

Girls, I heard from Kelly with the black dining room paint job. It is perfection!!! And, my what a view she has out that dining room window!! It will so be magazine worthy when complete!

Yes, Cameo, I should do the suitcase shelf in there…yes, yes….you can imagine that with an urn sink comes no place for soap at all. I have to admit the walls are white, the colors are muted, earth tones, but I am toying with the ideas Tracy came up with for a powder room in another blog. The mirror has a nice aged copper frame though, from NapaStyle. Really, I have never seen a suitcase on a wall and it looks so great. I found Tracy Porter months ago while researching lighting for my new house and I am hooked.

Joy

The song is by Pamela Wyn Shannon (I already asked!)song: World in my Arms and the album is Nature’s Bride. I bought the song through Amazon as iTunes doesn’t carry it? Another song is called A Memory by Brent Berry and Honest Abe on their album called Monsoon. Tracy, hope you don’t mind me sharing….

Hello Beautifuls..! So glad you like this quirky number! I have had this tattered suitcase for so long, she needed some love, and a new life!
John will jump in here and give you the ” hanging details”….he is a very fabulous helper…It is not my big strength…i am always calling on him….or I do the old…SLAM IT UP….I am just so instant gratification, and I love digging around for junk to vignette it with. I also think it is an ideal laptop spot… so romantic in an ” out of Africa” sort of a way….love it in a bathroom, I originally wanted it in the guest room bath but not enough room for the shower door…i am like you wandering around our house suitcase under my arm….eyeing up any spot that will do!!
I am thrilled that you like all the new goodies …clothing etc. we posted today…each week there are new wonderful gems that will go up!!
I love that you guys are so fabulously chatty…love seeing new visitor too…the door is always open….!!
xoxo
T.

Tracy…your creative mind BLOWS me away!! This is such a fabulous idea…now I am crazy to find an old suitcase…believe it or not, I do not own one!!

That was the neatest idea. Loved it.
Wanted to let you know about a couple of things. Baker furniture and Jim Thompson fabrics are doing a line of Tony Duquette stlye. It looks fabulous.
Also some beautiful regional French cookbooks (only 7×10) gorgeous covers with hand writing on antique vellum are available at basicfrenchonline.com Too beautiful.

Tracy, the ideas they are a-flowing, aren’t they? You are on an absolute streak! Unleashed! Keep them coming – as you can see, we all eat it up and ask for more!

My husband received several old suitcases from his Grandma. I’m suddenly excited about them. Who knew?

Ok–I need a serious dose of inspiration/courage. By the way,I admit I am a total lurker. I don’t think I’ve posted a comment in at least a year but I’m with you guys everyday! Anyway, my problem is, why is it so hard for me to be creative with a newer type house??? What is this? I usually consider myself to be brave in my decorating ventures….but this house makes me feel creatively stifled. I have lived in older houses where I have had amazing colors on my walls, even painted the floors. HELP! What do you gals think I should do?? And my cocktail is not taking the edge off…Does anyone else have this problem? Making your newer type house feel a little more funky, not so cookie-cutter, a little more yummy?
Anne

Hi Ladies,
I love this idea as well, I can now display those treasures instead of just storing them in the suitcase. I’m new to this site but not new to Tracy Porter. I have collected her books over the years and I’m a fan of her eclectic style. This last week I’ve caught up on all the videos, love them and now I’m addicted!!! I have a few questions about some shopping items. I’m making a list for my husband to purchase for my B-Day in a couple of weeks and thought you ladies might have some input. I’m usually a size 2-4 do you think the Gigi jacket will be to big? I’m trying to decide on the silver tote or green croco handbag, I know some have the tote but what about the green croco? Again I LOVE this site what a great community!!

Anne- Hi, so nice you’ve jumped in there after all this time “lurking”…too funny… I was the same.
Anyway, I too have a new home and felt it difficult to paint because each space is open to the next. Also, we have very wierd rounded corners that make it difficult to stop a color from one room to the next. Our solution was that we painted all the open areas the same color and added personality with furnishings, accessories, and got rid of all those horrible boring light fixtures. I am very lucky in that my husband is very handy and has added fabulous moldings throughout the home. We are planning to go crazy in our office with layers, and color because it is its own room. Likewise with all the bedrooms and bathrooms. Sorry this was long winded, but I feel your pain with this challenge!! In my opinion express your self by dressing your walls ala Tracy (Lord knows we got big ol’ walls to work with), and creating little vingettes around the house.
I sure others will come up with something wonderfully creative for you. Good Luck
Lisa

Sorry girls to post again, but I really have so much fun with you all… I wanted to share that I got my (in opera) PACKAAAAAGE! Yippeee- I was in heaven opening these goodies. I actually place another order yesterday at my husbands insistence! If you all knew him you would know this is a big deal. After my fashion show he said “wow those are nice, is there anytghing else for sale that you liked”. We sat down together and HE loaded up my shopping cart!!!! No guilt here.

One more thing…did anyone get the Bohemian Jacket? Try it on inside out, it’s just as gorgeous (of course you’ll have to snip off the tag) Two jackets in one, I love it!

Really, this is the last one, I promise, But it was soooo cute. We’re raising the next generation of TP fans. Once I got my goodies I couldn’t take my gradeur necklace off, it was so wonderful. Later, my 2 year old daughter flew past me, stopped dead in her tracks, and said “cute necklace mom”! She sits right here with me evryday and watches the videos too!!

Anne….yes! YES!! Thank you for jumping in with us!! I too understand…I am what you call ” an old house person”…i love the oddball stuff, funkiness that old houses offer. ( mind you hate the windows and drawers that don’t open) …but everything else i adore! So we built our home a few rooms at a time years ago, even added on a few years ago when I was pregnant with Gus. My ffear ( yes, really) was, the “new house” factor…the walls were so perfect, the corners so unblemished….it took me a while to start messing with everything in my own way. I had to start small ( foyers, bathrooms) make my big statement, then stand back …smile…nod and move on to the next….before i knew it I had canvased the house with beauty , love, soul and depth…..Is it done….never….I enjoy it all way too much….as I grow so does my sense of how i want to live….I like scribbles on the walls, and the little man Max carved into our dining table when he was 5….no one can take those memories from me….they make me smile and feel like we are really living here, and making this our warm wonderful home. I am dying to add big beams to the ceiling but I need to really save my pennies for that one…you know…we all have something we are yearning to do in our homes. Be brave love, explore…take small steps……and you really will do it. Have no fear, we will be with you ALL the while, and we WILL help…ask us anything at all!!!
Lisa….aren’t you delightful…..oh, that one with your husband killed me. Made me just so happy for you I cannot tell you…kiss that man a kiss from us!!…and thank you , thank you for shopping all of you have been so very wonderful to embrace our clearance and all of our new spring goodies…I cannot wait for you to see what else is coming!!
xoxo

Hello Anne, and Lena – I’ve only really had anything to do with the whole “blogging” thing for about a month now, and this is one of just a few sites I visit again and again – the energy here is just sparkling. So, welcome, and don’t be shy! Have to admit it’s a thrill to let my true colors shine through my words and then hit “submit” and see if anyone is listening!
Kim, that sink sounds fantastic – good for you for going with it!
Lisa, my husband has had the same reaction to these clothes! He’s also noticed the way being part of this “community” makes me feel, and how that changes the atmosphere around here! He will occasionally say “I’ll _____ (insert: fold laundry; do dishes; change the baby) so you can catch up on the Tracy Porter site.” It’s not just fashion that this team of visionaries has created – it’s a whole mindset, outlook, vibe…and it’s changing things for the better wherever people are plugging in! Finally, I too have a penchant for wearing Tracy’s clothing inside-out (Sueded Artisan Vest, anyone?), so I know EXACTLY how you feel! Go for it!

Ok–my daughter Ava is totally addicted to this website too. She can hear Tracy’s voice on the videos when I’m watching and she always comes running. Then she heads straight to my closet to try on clothes! I’m thinking Tracy, that you need to do a “cribs” video of your whole house for us. You know, MTV style, since we all want to see and know everything–even what’s in your fridge. HA HA!

Anne love,
You are sounding overwhelmed to me, because you are dealing with decorating an ENTIRE home…..not just one room, or two………..And that is much more challenging…..and…. it is how people get locked into the cookie cutter mind set. ( It is much easier… to go that route)…..I have decorated entire homes based on one oriental rug, or a picture they have found in a magazine or book, that the client is wild about……. but I will tell you what works for me, …….. here’s the deal……. First, I would look for a special something that you are IN LOVE with, (some Treasure that you are wild about, and can’t live without – it may be a rug or a desk or a chair)………..buy it………. did you hear me love?…….I said BUY IT……….don’t leave the store without it!!!!…….. and put it in that room; let that Treasure, whatever it may be…. inspire you to get creative and do more…… Second, choose a color/ or paper for your walls that plays off/ or blends in with the Treasure you have purchased…. Third,…..change out the light fixture/fixtures to match the theme you have got going on……fourth….add more furniture pieces, accessories…. and start mixing things up a bit ( by adding different themes …. example would be mixing oriental with french or/and victorian or mission style with vintage… or whatever YOU like) and then do the TRACY PORTER thing to do….start LAYERING!!!!!…. Watch her videos closely….press the pause button and study her rooms. You can do this ….. Then, in the evening, when the day is done….. you can walk around your home with your cocktail, and enjoy all the beauty that YOU, YOU YOU have created…..there will be no edge to take off!!!! Hope this helps love.
Cameo

Anne! I have a new home too. The minute I painted C-O-L-O-R (sing that word in opera!), it transformed the entire feel of the house. We lived with “builder’s beige” for 3 years, no more!!! Put handles on the kitchen cabs if they are not on yet. And Lisa is right – vignettes galore! This blog will train your eye well. I probably change a vignette (or 2) several times a week!

Book Recommendation!!!! Tracy Porter if you have not read “Trail of Crumbs” by Kim Sunee, RUN to the bookstore. Do not waste a minute by ordering thru Amazon, etc. All of us foodies, word-smiths will love it. I’m only on page 50. It is engaging, beautifully written AND HAS RECIPES!!!! Plus it’s true, it’s her memoir. I highly recommend it.

I promise not to post again…today. My laundry is piling up and my son needs to get to baseball practice but I can’t stay away from you guys! I think I’m in lllooooovvvveee.(that was my opera) Thanks for all of the amazing advice and I’m so glad to hear that you, Tracy, have even felt my pain. I think the TP gang get together should be in L.A., just think about it.

Virginia, was Kim Sunee with Cottage Living before that magazine went ka poot? I think I made an eggs benedict a while back that I got out of that magazine and loved it. I will have to get her book if that’s the same gal. Thanks for the recommendation….love love to cook for family and friends.

Love you suitcase idea–I am on the hunt for one now! I think I will do one in my home and in the store–it will look fabulous.

Anne dear, I love the advice already given. I will second the motion that PAINT is the answer. It is the most bang for the buck. It will warm those rooms right up and give the house a custom look. Next I would add lighting that really speaks to you. But none of this needs to be done until you find the treasure you love!!!!!! Take Cameo’s advice and buy it. There are a million paint colors that could be mixed to go with your treasure. You need an inspiration piece to jump from. We are here holding your hand. Keep us posted.

Lena, I ordered the Gigi coat and it is beautiful. It does run small so you should be fine.

Ok, I have been reading your blog for some time now, and am totally addicted! You know the worst part? I live in Australia, so I can’t jump on and order your gorgeous clothing, but the videos inspire me to shop and dress a la Tracy Porter. Every day, I visit your site with a cuppa, and just soak up the inspiration. We built our home a few years back, and most of my walls are neutral, but I am so inspired to mix it up now. This week, I went out and splurged on frames, and am working on making a London wall inspired by you, so again, thanks for the inspiration.

Oh girls, you can tell I’ve been away all day today. I just keep thinking of things to tell you. This is my last post, I promise. I hate to hog the air time. LOL
I went to Tuesday Morning today as someone on an ealier post suggested and bought a pair of foo dog lamps that are to die for. Small with the prettiest black and brown stripe shades. They are a russet red. I am thrilled and thought some of you may need to look there. Dawn, I know you wanted one for your desk. These are perfect for that. Run, don’t walk! I shall be finished now! LOL

Peeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrfeccccccccccttttt! Tracy, seriously… you are too kind to offer your brilliantly artistic ideas to us all! I have an old tattered suitcase that I did have on top of my armoire in my den. However, we have gotten rid of it due to a TV upgrade, which is now hanging on the wall. So, for months, I have been wondering what to do with this suitcase, I couldn’t bear not to show it off somewhere. I am TOTALLY doing this!!!!!! My kitchen is a dark brown, and I have decided to do my guest bedroom this color as well. It’s small but has light coming through a long window, which I am flanking with some old and large white shutters. This will fit perfectly in between one of the shutters and the corner of the larger while. Right beside the guest daybed!!!!!!!

Yea!!!! Thank you, thank you!

Artist…Tuesday Morning it is!!! I will go check it out, I have two fairly close by I will also peek at the one at Pier 1…you girls are just FAAAABULLLOUS!!

I am hitting Tuesday Morning the second my kids hit their school desks in the am.! Thanks for the tip girls, I’ve been needing a cool desk lamp, saw one at a consignment store- an asian, ivory glazed, porcelain woman but passed on it cause it didn’t have a shade (stupid) went back and it was gone! Hate that. However, I did find a pair of huge gorgeous foo dogs with a turqouise and cobalt glaze at a thrift store for the low, low, price of $12 for the pair. They are smashing in my foyer!

Anne, I would suggest you also add some architectural elements i.e, molding, trim, cool old hardware, old doors ,shelving, etc. They can go a long way to giving a new house a sense of character…My 4 cents…

ohhh, listen to all this deliciousness…..all such fabulous support and advice! Anne, you are well on your way……and off to get some Foo dogs to boot! Foo dogs are all good luck in my book. I even go for the little gold funky ones and place them on a ledge at door entrances…..they are too good to pass up when you see them… i love the red laquer ones too. Lamps are key to any space, so ditch or dim those over heads, great news is, such cleaning relief for all of us too….i see less when the lights are dimmed, and my forehead relaxes…….oh, grab the wine + .all is well.
Did i tell you all how much i adore all the OOOPPPPPPEEEERRRRAAAA…..that is being sung…..beauuuutiful. Man, it really is good that we found each other!
Tina, from Australia….hang with us love!! We adore that you are here!!
kisses to all….my belly is so full with a big pork loin roast and baked yukons with a yogurt sour cream dill scallion thang…….maybe just a little topper of coffee ice cream in bed and i am set…..!!
time to gather the little ones….xxxooo
T.

Loved that idea! I loved how you matched up the vignette too!

Artist!!!! Oh, wow–you got the lamps I so love. I’m so happy to hear you love them as much as I do. Mine is sitting right here beside me. I’m in love with my lamp. Unfortunately I only found one. Let us know where you put them.

Dawn, hope you find them too! I’m curious if you see the one at PierI, what it’s like.

OH, Jennifer, I didn’t see your blog there talking about the foo lamps. I saw a 60’s turquoise foo dog lamp online, I think it was ebay or something, already sold….it was sooooo cool. I LOVE turquoise. And I love turquoise and red together. In fact, right here beside my red foo dog lamp is one of Tracy’s “birds of a feather.”(the turquoise one) Does anyone else have Tracy’s “Birds of a feather” set? the picture doesn’t do them justice. They are more gorgeous in person. My two obsessions right now, birds and foo dogs! ha I bought two sets of those birds…that means I have 12 birds all over my house. hehe Love them!

It’s so great connecting with you all! how fun!

I love you gals…. I was over at Tracy’s when she was testing the blue cheese tarts to die for !!!! I love blue cheese and our family does but there are a few do not!!!! He is Italian and nothing blue …bummer!! As I LOVE IT…

Claudine – YES! Kim was with Cottage Living. The book is in paperbook now….let me know what you think!!! It is SO Tracy!

I love all the chatter about new homes! I’m in the same boat Anne…I’ve lived in a few old homes and love the charm and character that are built in already. We have recently moved and now live in a 1980’s box. Not my dream house to say the least! I agree with the girls here…lighting, paint, new hardware. One thing we have done is take down the doors! Closet doors, pantry doors, mudroom doors….paint or wallpaper the inside, add a little chandelier, new shelving, cute baskets etc. Now you have some personality! We must have ten doors in our attic…Tracy, any suggestions what I could do with them?? I also surround myself with antiques, old photos…and have gotten so much inspiration from the Tracy Porter club here! My husband who is very handy has transformed our powder room after being inspired by Tracy’s a few months ago…he cut, installed and painted (high gloss black!), our wainscotting, painted the walls a great artichoke green and we’re now on to the finishing touches…I loved her powder room!
Anyway, good luck and I’m sure you’ll find fabulous inspiration and ideas here!

Ladies, Ladies, Ladies,

I am now singing opera……………., I can’t beleive a just scored a pair of vintage turquoise foo dog lamps for $99.00.
It seems we all have similar taste and have also recently become fascianated with foo dogs.
My ex mother-in-law who I love dearly is Chinese and I have been privileged to have received beautiful pieces from her.
A few months ago she sent me a beautiful vintage apple green brooch, which is just to die for.
In her home in Hawaii, she has beautiful chinese antiques that I have always loved.
I lived in Hawaii for twenty years and always loved visiting her and enjoyed her wonderful stories of living in China when she a little girl.
Can’t wait for my foo dogs!!!!!!!!!!!
I may have to place the lamps in different areas of my home, since I do not like decorating with pairs of lamps.
I may even share my find with a friend.

Take care and love you all for your inspiration.

Diane

Sweet Anne, I feel your pain regarding the new house thing. Husband and I thought we would live out the rest of our days in our little house. However additions happened and now we live in what we call “The Big House” as opposed to “The Little House”. All my stuff that was so perfect before was dinky looking and too small for the very tall ceilings. All the paint finishes I had done before seemed all wrong for this home. I was quite sad and like you, stifled. Six years now and things are coming around but it has been tough and I have made many mis-steps, some costly too. Good luck. All your friends here have given great advice. To Cameo-I should be so smart to be an RN, just a stay at home person. In these tough times I probably shouldn’t be saying this but I am always high-fiveing my self that I managed to stay unemployed for another year. God has been good to me. Awaiting a box of lovlies from TP. I, as was once said about Suzanne Sugarbaker on Designing Women, am a full figured gal, however my two sprouts are not. They will look divine.

Tracy, we just found out that we are expecting our first grandbaby!!!!!!! (we call her/him Bitty Baby) soooooo – I am wondering about some fabulous ways to decorate a bitty baby room in my house for this wonderful new addition. Any ideas left over from Gus-Boy? You are such a treat each morning. Thanks for sharing your creative spirit!!

Diane! wow! that is so fantabulous! two turquoise foo dog lamps!! gotta love that! I bet your ex mom in law has some beautiful things. Enjoy those lamps!!

OH!!! DEBI!! Wonderful news! congratulations!! A bitty baby is on the way! Now that is some goodness to share!!
I do so love the “bitties” rooms… funny I always call them “bippies”… yes, color… I love color in baby rooms, love chandeliers… just so perfect, and babies love all the glistening goodness, full of interest. Rugs are marvelous, and a big comfy rocker is a must, one that can be used somewhere else in the house later. Curtains and bamboo shades are lovely and very cool for the transition later on in the bitties life! Antiques are just divine in a baby room, they add character and interest… just go through the house and grab this and that, an old charming lamp, etc. I tend not to go “too baby”… I love digging up things that we have, funky artwork, etc., then adding a few new things of course… framed butterflies, etc. NO matter, make it SO personal… anything you have from your daughter or son? That you could frame… an old report card is charming, go digging my love… and kisses on the mamas belly from me!!
xxxxx
Pam… oh, you are busy with all sort of wonderfulness. OK, the doors, in the attic… (attic, I love that you have an attic… oh joy, we do not… that is good for you though!) Make them into a cool screen to divide a space, get some antique hardware if you can… is there a salvage place near you? Or, years ago, we made a table from one, and recently was at a friend’s house and she made one into a coffee table! Just charming! DO NOT ditch those… our home if filled with old doors… they give it so much soul!!!
xo

Pam, this is a tip for you! if your old doors are painted and you want to get down to the wood ( of course leaving bits of weathered paint to show) use a hot heat gun and a scraper. It will soften all the layers of paint and you just scrape them off. Do not go the chemical route, bad for your lungs and so messy. The guns are at Lowes and Home Depo for @ $20.00. It’s the best money I ever spent! i did my den mantel this way and love it!
Debi, can I say jealous!!!!!! What wonderful news you shared. The baby room should be enchanting but not baby. Have fun!
Dawn, the foo dog lamps do not give great light because the shade is dark. You can switch that or squint! LOL I prefer to squint. Anything for charm my love. Do give our little “Plum Blossom” a kiss for me.

First, sorry for the delay. With the clearance sale and all the new videos, we have been extraordinarily busy. Now, for the suitcase-attached-to-the-wall trick. …nothing up my sleeve…

The suitcase we used has a canvas body with a wood frame so it was a little flimsy. We fixed that by cutting out a piece of 3/8″ plywood to fit the inside lid, covering it with tea-stained newspaper to make it pretty. We were lucky enough to have found, using a stud-finder, a stud in the center of that particular wall. If there is not a stud located exactly where you want to hang your suitcase then you will have to drill at least two holes in which to insert an anchor, more if the suitcase – with all the accouterments – weighs more than 20 lbs. – don’t want everything to come crashing down. Pre-drilling the holes in the board (and the suitcase cover) will help to properly locate where the holes/anchors should be located on the wall. It’s important to make sure that your suitcase is hung level so that when it’s open, the “desktop” is also level. With the stud (or anchors) properly located, the next step is to screw the suitcase/board to the wall using screws the appropriate length to secure the suitcase in the anchors (or stud).

Depending on how your suitcase opens, you may have to reconfigure the hinge part so that it opens to 90 degrees (and can hold on your stuff).

That’s the short version. Your suitcase, depending on size, configuration and materials may require more or less work….

On a side note, I don’t follow the blog as closely as Tracy, though she keeps me filled in and tells me how exciting it is to feel the inspiration full circle. Every day she looks forward and is inspired by all the wonderful chatter that you all so freely share. So thank you for sharing this wonderful experience with us.

John Porter

John – THANK YOU for these details – I’m sure many of us will be needing them. My husband is a very “handy,” woodworking type and will appreciate knowing the nitty gritty. And yes, do we ever “freely” share our chatter – it must entertain all of you at the studio to no end, as we prattle on and on here! But really, you and Tracy have created something out of love and your own enthusiasm, and it could only attract a similar vibe. In these times it is more important than ever to make and keep these kinds of connections – I’m sure I speak for many when I say we all appreciate the two of you and your company and all those who help you make it such a success!

Tracy and Artist…thank you for you ideas! I LOVE the idea of turning 2-3 of them into a privacy screen possibly! Maybe painted a cool color, “slam up” some goodies (pictures,magazine cutouts etc.) and now we’re talking!