When I took the job as principal in the suburban city we moved to there just was not time to do much to my office, which before I came on board was a storage closet. Yes, I felt pretty special, but in the rapidly growing district I work in, I am thilled to have a space at all.
The “office” was the most awful institutional blue color with very little light. The light situation probably had something to do with the fact it was never designed to have someone working in the space.
I did what I could (not much) last summer then got busy opening a school.
This summer I had a little more time to work on making the space more inviting. The finished office is coming soon.
Today, it is all about my suitcase wall.
I have wanted to do this wall somewhere since I first spotted it on PInterest two years ago. The long blank wall in my office seemed to be he perfect location.
First, I collected suitcases.
I had the blue suitcase in my stash and planned to use it once day to make another chalkboard. I paid two dollars for it at a thrift store.
I found the dark green travel case at Goodwill for $2.99 a while back, the alligator suitcase was in rough shape. I bought it for $5.00 off Craig’s List. I got impatient to get the wall done so when I spotted two suitcases at a local resale shop, I paid too much. I got the last two suitcases ( a hat box and a leather men’s suitcase) for $50.00. I know what you are thinking. Yes, I did pay too much….but I wanted them and the blank wall was staring at me.
All in I have $60.00 invested in suitcases. Not bad for a whole wall of joy.
Hubby chopped each suitcase in half on the table saw. No pictures of that part. I was at work when he got that done.
I then ripped out all the loose lining.
We cut boards to fit inside the suitcases to make a support frame.
Here they are all stacked with the wood inside.
I laid them all out on the floor in the office to decide where I wanted them to go, then got busy taping it out on the wall. Toggle bolts went into each wall board. The top board was screwed to the top of each wall board, and then small side pieces were attached with the air nailer.
We slid each suitcase over the wooden support then used screws to attach it to the wood. (Air nailing would have been easier and less noticeable but I want to take these puppies with me when I retire in a few short years.)
Here it is all finished and dressed up!
I cannot wait to get the office looking the way I see it in my head.
Let me know what you think of my version of a suitcase wall.
I hope you have a wonderful day.
Blessings,
Karen
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