[rixafreeze]

Our living room doubles as a playroom/toy room/family room. My 2 year-old's toys had nowhere to go. It always looked messy, but there was nowhere else to put her books and toys. We finally found this solution for storing them in an inexpensive, decorative, and eco-friendly way--an old steamer trunk! I love antique stores!

 

[Kabes]

It is beautiful!! Please consider replacing the hinge/arm bracket with the kind that stays open to where you've lifted it so your LO doesn't get pinched fingers. I wish I was saying that better but the correct terminology is alluding me at the moment.

 

[rixafreeze]

The trunk already has one of those; I think most steamer trunks originally had them. Down the road I might buy some additional hardware that keeps the lid from closing too fast, but I'm the one opening and closing it right now so it's not a problem.

 

[Kabes]

Good! We've had to do similar upgrades on several pieces. Pinched/smashed fingers are so sad.

 

[minimunklemama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rixafreeze The trunk already has one of those; I think most steamer trunks originally had them. Down the road I might buy some additional hardware that keeps the lid from closing too fast, but I'm the one opening and closing it right now so it's not a problem.

You may be opening and closing it but what about when your back is turned for a second?

My four year old narrowly missed losing his fingers on ours and it wasn't even in use.He was just taking a look.Imagine how the percentage goes up if it is being used daily.It may look good but your kids won't look good with missing fingers.I implore you to get those hinges on today if you must use this as a toy storage box.

 

[slsurface]

My solution was to buy an old storage cubby (seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/archymo...7608688239541/) from my elementary school when it closed. It's not particularly beautiful, but it's ecofriendly - as it was used for 20 years or more and will continue to have a long live in our house. There is also a shelf in DS's room that we saved from someones trash. I also use woven baskets in the living room for storing blocks and such.

 

[UUMom]

I enjoy your blog, and your baby is beautiful!

I love antiques, and I'm sure that if the hinges becomes an issue when the baby is older you'll figure something out.

Enjoy it. It's so pretty.

 

[turtlewomyn]

Very cute, but I second (or third) modifying it to prevent the top from coming down quickly. One of my ex-boyfriends had lost a daughter when she was eleven months old when she tried to get a toy out of her older cousin's toy box and the lid came down on her head. I think it took a matter of five or ten minutes when her mom was doing some dishes. The toybox had been recalled, but a store was still selling them, I know my ex had gotten some money in a settlement. I don't know if that trunk could kill your two year old, but it might be able to, and certainly if you have any more children later, I would make sure it is modified.