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Boxes for Things

Last year, we took a freebie cigar box, sprayed it navy blue, and it now houses our gaggle of unsightly remotes. (More on that right here.) We’ve yet to upgrade to that all-in-one remote (of Scott’s dreams), but it’s hardly an issue when they tuck away so nice; out of sight, out of mind:

And last weekend – while enjoying my homecoming with a trip to the liquor store, of course – we picked up three more for a buck a piece, although some of the options were as little as 50 cents each (and some free!).

Our selection was slim the day we went, but we did like how each box (while the same brand) was a different size – with one of them offering compartments. Aside from the gin we took home, this (really!) made my day.

We’ll be leaving these as-is, and they’re already living in the studio. Who knows what they’ll hold just yet (clips? pencils? Etsy prints or thank you cards?), considering my brain can barely handle the jumble that is still our hallway as we complete the upper shelving and install the crown molding. Only then can we start stashing things.

If you’re looking for a few of your own, stop in any local liquor store with a humidor (or, hey, any stand alone humidor itself), and chances are, they’ll have a stack at the ready. For a dollar or two, just think of all the stuff you can hide! Aah, containing things can be weirdly fun.

Also. We’re happy to report that we’ve hired help for that damned crown molding (no more marital fights for these two, no sir!), and by 8 am tomorrow, we’ll be on our way to a, uh, crown-molded-studio. By Sunday, fingers crossed, the ceiling-to-shelving gap you see here…

… will be sealed up, giving the illusion of a semi built-in. As mentioned 5 seconds earlier, this can only mean one thing: let the shelf stashing and stuff containing commence!

How do you hide, wrangle or display your loose office-y items?

See more of our studio ideas on our Pinterest board, right here.

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  • meg3.2.12 - 8:39 AM

    where in chicago did you go to get those? were they just selling them or did you ask? they look great!ReplyCancel

  • Cathie3.2.12 - 9:06 AM

    I love cigar boxes!! We used to be able to get them years ago, but there are no more stores locally here. And you’re right, containing things is weirdly fun!!ReplyCancel

  • Jimmy3.2.12 - 9:18 AM

    Very cool. I’ve had a cigar box on my dresser for years. It holds my grandfather’s handkerchiefs, some old watches, and, lately, random junk.

    I never thought about painting it – I like that idea. Those boxes are great for little storage items – especially in a crafting space. This has also got me to thinking about cigar-box-as-shadow-box, sort of like people have been doing with wine crates for a while now.

    Thanks for waking me up to these.ReplyCancel

    • Kim3.2.12 - 9:41 AM

      Hi Meg, we got ours at the Binny’s just off of North Avenue. They were sitting outside the humidor with a little sign that tells you how much they cost!

      Jimmy – a shadow box! That could be awesome.ReplyCancel

  • Kalli3.2.12 - 2:30 PM

    Ooh, I love cigar boxes too. They’re beautiful, especially actual wooden ones rather than cardboard, and I love the little fasteners.ReplyCancel

  • Tina3.3.12 - 11:44 AM

    How do you plan to get any work done in there?? Everything looks so nice and clean and neat, I’d want to just sit in the middle of the room and look around all day! I’m that way with a blank canvas. I just want to touch the canvas and stare at it, imagining all the possibilities!

    And those cigar boxes are too divine for words!ReplyCancel

  • Kim3.3.12 - 11:53 AM

    Tina, thank you! Hopefully the items I’m surrounding myself with will inspire me to work, work, work!ReplyCancel

  • Miranda @boucksy3.3.12 - 3:30 PM

    I love these so so so much, I wish we had something like this around here. All the ones that I find are the cardboardy kind that fall apart really easily. What’s the likelihood of working out some sort of deal to maybe have you ship me some? LOLReplyCancel

  • Kim3.4.12 - 3:04 PM

    Miranda, we could work something out! I’ll email you :)ReplyCancel

  • Kelly C.3.10.12 - 10:23 AM

    Thank you so much for this idea! My husband wanted to try a new place for breakfast and next door to it was a cigar shop. He was curious & I wanted to see if they had any boxes. OMGosh, I got the cutest little box ever! The guy gives them to people that buy cigars. I never would have thought of that w/o reading your post about!ReplyCancel

    • Kim3.10.12 - 10:26 AM

      Kelly, that’s awesome! You can never have too many cute boxes!ReplyCancel

  • Kelly C.3.10.12 - 2:13 PM

    It’s really neat, smaller but deeper. It also smells amazing inside. He told me that this certain brand of cigar maker hangs up herbs all around the cigars so that when they get packed inside the box it takes on the smell of the herbs. It smells so good inside! You can bet I’ll be going back for more. The owner said that a lot of ladies used to come in and buy them from him to make purses out of them. And, I still LOVE my Anna Belle (Boston Terrier) picture!!ReplyCancel

    • Kim3.10.12 - 4:00 PM

      Aw, I loved Miss Anna Belle! Such a cool attitude on such a tiny canvas!ReplyCancel

  • LibbyR6.23.12 - 10:23 PM

    The purse idea is terrific! I’ve always had an addiction to little boxes, containers, and duffle/tote/sport bags.ReplyCancel

  • Jeannemara9.5.12 - 8:16 AM

    As Miranda said, is there any way we could arrange a shipment?
    I love cigar boxes.ReplyCancel

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