On my way to the first destination, I actually spotted a big antique warehouse I've always wanted to go in, but for whatever reason never did. I found the parking a little confusing, but was not disapointed. Euro Treasures in Salt Lake City is an amazing gold mine of antiques and antiquities if you have time, patience, imagination and a flash light.
Euro Treasures is a huge warehouse stuffed to the brim with dusty, furniture relics in various conditions and states of repair. The one thing they have in common is that the great majority of them come from Liverpool, England and all date back to around 1880. The story as it was told to me... "There was an older gentleman in England who enjoyed going throughout the English countryside to many different estate sales and would buy everything he could, and store it in a giant warehouse in Liverpool. Eventually he came down with Alzheimers and was forced into a home. His treasures were eventually sold off in bulk."
The place couldn't be more amazing. Cabinets, chairs, old port-a-potty's, suitcases, trunks, windows, doors and that's just the beginning! It's simply an amazing treasure chest of odds and ends. If you plan to visit Euro Treasures, make sure to dress warmly (it's cold in there) wear your grubbies (think 100 years of dust and grime) and leave your kiddos at home (lots of sharp objects and broken pieces).
Here is my prized possession, a small cabinet. It's original use was for keeping books, but I have repurposed it to hold my cozy yarn!
I bought the baskets at potterybarn.com. They are called the "Gym Basket," and cost $16.99 each. I am waiting for some more to arrive as they are on back order.
The latch that came on the door was not original, but it was old. It looks like the latch that was added to the chest was made of Catalin which was the precursor to modern plastics. People started using Catalin in the 1930's. Anyway, this latch was cracked (bummer). After I removed the screws I found that the original doors would have been held together and closed with an old key. I went looking for another latch in a similar size and color at Silverstar Hardware silverstarhardware.com. I was in luck, and found just what the doctor ordered.
This latch cost me $21.99, but is the perfect compliment to my cabinet. Last but not least, I did run into one problem. On carpet, the legs are not wide enough to support the weight of the doors when they are open, and the whole thing ends up falling forward. Once the cabinet is filled with treasures the problem almost goes completely away, but I wanted to be sure it didn't end up falling forward when no one was looking. I stopped at Home Depot and purchased a small magnet device that would help keep the door from swinging open, it works like a charm.
For about $300 I got the cabinet, latch, baskets and magnet piece. It might sound like a lot to spend on something that is just intended to hold my yarn, but the bottom line is that I've decided that I want to invest a little more in my hobbies. Having everything tidy and organized feels great. I love looking at my cabinet and knowing that I found it, cleaned it, and fixed it up myself. I don't really think of myself as the fix it kind of girl, but seriously if I can do it, anyone can.
Update! December 9, 2012
I finally have all the baskets and have my yarn organized! Recently, I did see some cool wire baskets at Crate & Barrel as I understand Pottery Barn no longer sells the "Gym Basket."
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