Reinventing The Copco Honeycomb Spice Rack

I think I have mentioned my crush on good design before.  My crush is rapidly becoming a full blown love affair (obsession) which is problematic when one of my resolutions for 2014 is to be more organized and declutter like nobody's business.   It is hard to resist the siren call of lovely vintage things though, as good design is not just a delight to the eyes but to the mind as well.  It stands the test of time and is as relevant today as when it was first presented to the world. Case in point is the Copco Honeycomb Spice Rack designed by Lugbe-Randall.  I was very pleased (read: frantic gasps, surreptitious glances over my shoulder and a forced air of nonchalance whilst walking rapidly to the cashier) to find not one but two of them in matching scarlet red.  Like most of us, I already have a spice storage system in the kitchen but I really wanted to incorporate them into the home somehow.  So, I started to brainstorm ways to reuse these vintage spice racks.  I think that the bright cheerful red lends itself particularly well to a little boy's room (or any child's room).  It's perfect for storing all of those Matchbox cars.

It is not readily apparent in the photographs but the compartments are slanted to prevent the spice bottles from falling out.  Clever, huh?  For the sake of the photos, I had to position them upside down but I think you get the idea.  Very useful for storing craft bits and bobs as well.

The rack would look fantastic on a dresser or night table as jewelry storage.  I've seen a lot of DIY jewelry storage ideas on the Web such as reusing towel holders and rods but they don't seem very practical to me as it involves taking everything off the rod to access the one necklace or bangle that you want.  As with anything, easy use and accessibility is crucial to me.  Perhaps I'm just a lazy lump but when you are in a rush to get dressed because you are late for that 8 am meeting, do you really want the hassle?  The rack looks stylish and the compartments are perfect for keeping your jewelry bits in view and quickly accessible.  As they are perfect for corralling clutter, I think I am justified in keeping them as they help me with my resolution to be more organized, right?

There is no doubt that the geometric and graphic look of the rack lends itself to an architectural or scientific display.  Above, I put together a molecule (and no, I have no idea if this molecule even exists in the natural world) from a vintage molecular model set and placed it with the racks.  The rack and/or molecular model set would make a fun gift for the scientific geek or design nerd  in your family.  Can you tell I have Father's Day on my mind and that I haven't bought a present yet?  And because  I had the great luck to find a pair of the racks, why not play around with the geometric design and stagger them on the diagonal.

Have you found anything lately that you have repurposed?  Share your ideas with me!
And now back to more exciting events...yes I can't believe I am saying that.  After all, what could be more exciting than talking about vintage finds and decor?  This, of course....

France played today (and won!).  Monsieur is ecstatic.  Allez Les Bleus!  Do you have any fans at home? Who are you cheering for?



I'm linking up with A Stroll Thru Life, Sir Thrift A Lot, A Living Space, We Call It Junkin, Me and My Shadow, Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm.