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Monday 5 February 2018

A 'donation' from my wife

Some years ago my wife acquired a large jewellery cabinet, and since then it has sat on top of the chest-of-drawers in our guest bedroom. It proved popular with our cat, who liked to sit on it, watching our garden. Recently Sue decided to replace the cabinet with a newer storage system ... and kindly gave me the old cabinet.


The top of the cabinet lifts up ...


... to give access to a fixed tray (that is 33cm x 19cm x 3.5cm) which is divided up into several compartments by removable dividers.


The front has two doors that open to reveal seven drawers (each is 33cm x 16cm).


These are also divided up into compartments.

The four of the draws are 2.5cm high, ...


... and the other three are 3.5cm high.


This makes them very suitable for storing 15mm-scale figures ... and I am giving serious consideration to using to store my collection of Colonial figures. The only problem is that it is quite large and heavy, and I am not sure where I can put it in my toy/wargames room. That said, it is considerable more aesthetically appealing to look at than plastic boxes.

It is a minor – but not an unpleasant – problem for me to solve.

20 comments:

  1. Bob, what a splendid gift! You are very fortunate that Sue is so understanding of your hobby. But where will the poor cat sit?
    I had never thought of jewellery cabinets as toy soldier storage, but this one seems perfect for smaller figures - and an attractive piece in its own right.
    Best wishes,
    Arthur

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arthur Harman (Arthur),

      When it was originally bought. I also ordered one to use to store my 15mm-scale figures. Unfortunately mine arrived in a damaged condition and was returned to the supplier. I was not offered a replacement, just a refund ... so when Sue decided to replace hers, she suggested that I should use it.

      The cat now sits where the cabinet used to be, but doesn't seem to have noticed that it has gone.

      There are quite a few alternative storage systems out there ... including stackable jewellery boxes and wooden cutlery holders. The latter can be bought quite cheaply from a number if retailers, and come with in-built dividers.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  2. Hi Bob,

    very stylish indeed! I think you should view this as furniture first and storage second - this would make it easier to fit in methinks. I am sure the cat would be pleased as well....

    All the best,

    DC

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David Crook,

      It certainly looks much nicer than a pile of plastic boxes, and this might mean that it will be allowed to 'live' downstairs rather than just being kept in my toy/wargames room.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  3. Now that is fine. I reckon you could fit several PW armies in their and dice and such.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Conrad Kinch,

      I am certainly thinking along those lines. As such, it would be reminiscent of the boxed wargames produced during the mid nineteenth century.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  4. Far too nice. Splatter with paint; weather the top by not using coasters; grime the areas around the door pulls and handles; add a few scuff marks around the base; then you'll have something worthy of your wargames room!

    Now, where can I get one?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ed M,

      I somehow suspect that unless I manage to keep this cabinet in as near pristine condition as I can, my life will not be worth living!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  5. That is a piece of wargaming cabinet furniture that would even get von Reiswitz envious

    Is the wife OK with you painting a map on the top bit?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Geordie an Exile FoG,

      I would have loved it if the top had opened out flat so that I could have used it as a playing surface.

      Perhaps one day I'll own a cabinet that does ... but this will gave to suffice for the time being,

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. Archduke Piccolo,

      If only I could find a supplier ...

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  7. Very nice box! Any thoughts of uses for the hooks?

    Ed's comments made me laugh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fitz-Badger,

      It looks very nice, and I hope that when I use it for storing wargames figures etc., that it will convey the feeling that our hobby is a gentlemanly pursuit of the sort undertaken in the better sort of club.

      As to the hooks ... I've not come up with a use for them yet ... but I hope to.

      All the best,

      Bob

      PS. Ed's comment made me chuckle as well!

      Delete
  8. It would be easy enough to do. Just remove the stay and add a couple of hinged brackets at the back that fold out to support the top in a horizontal position. I'm sure the mirror could be re-purposed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jfidz,

      It's a great suggestion, but my woodworking skills are pretty poor, and I'm likely to damage the cabinet if I try to alter it.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  9. Bob, If you can find a supplier, you should purchase several and market them - at a profit, of course! - as luxury traditional style wargame army cabinets...
    You and I could do a You Tube version of the Oak Furniture TV ads!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arthur Harmam,

      A nice idea ... and if I do find some, I'll certainly let my regular blog readers know!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  10. I think Ed has been peeking in my wargame room! This is a very nice gift, my wife keeps trying to give me one of her Italian Greyhounds.....
    If you weren't using a grid you could perhaps have hung a small ruler from a hook.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ross Mac,

      I suspect that if I was allowed to make a mess, my toy/wargames room would be as Ed described!

      Given the choice, I think that I'd stick with the gift of a jewellery cabinet rather than a dog ... even one of your wife's lovely Italian greyhounds.

      I like the idea for using the hooks to hang small rulers etc., from. It is certainly something for me to think about.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete

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