I went to the Formex fair here in Sockholm today and while my main purpose was to find things for work I of course couldn't resist looking at all the pretty spring-y things available, some of which I'd love to see in my home.
So many of you have commented and asked about the packing strap baskets I have here and there around my house and I've kept promising you that I would reveal any sources I can find that carries them. Today I was lucky to find a booth at the fair with nothing but packing strap items!
So by popular demand I hereby present you with this link where you can find a shop locator for Europe.
For those of you not in Europe I've found this, this and this source and I've added a few similar items here but unfortunately most are not white if that's what you are looking for...
I've bought most of my own baskets at Åhléns here in Sweden and they have the waste paper basket above in store now and some other styles too in a few colors. I'll keep you updated if I stumble other sourses, promise!
Edit. Here are some additional sources from readers:
Added Swedish source: ICA Maxi / Lindzi, Village
Added US scources: Land of Nod / carol k, The Container Store / Annie Pazoo, World Market / lpw, Dollar Tree/ Emily
Thank you!!!!
Underbar inspiration! Jag har tidigare hittat liknande korgar (+ korgar med lock) på IKEA MAXI för 19 kr st. :-D
Posted by: Lindzi | January 15, 2009 at 08:34 PM
Hallå!? ICA ska det va?! *ha ha*
Posted by: Lindzi | January 15, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Waaaaaaa! There's a shop that is supposed to have those baskets really near by. I'll have to go there immediately! Tomorrow! At the latest next week! I hope they have it. There are a few more places near by but it's a longer way to go there. So I hope this shop will have those baskets! I'm so excited and thank you so so so much for posting the links! You made my day!
Många hälsningar!
Posted by: Franziska | January 15, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Hi Benita, I wanted to thank you again for how thoughtful and attentive you are to your readers.
It seems you are always thinking of us in your posts. I never leave comments on a blog and yet yours is so approachable it is my third time in just this week that I have found myself writing to Chez Larsson.
And now I even find myself thinking about your organized and creative life at odd times! For instance, last night I was wondering how you get MDF boards home without a car!picturing your with the boards under your arm, one hand on the bike's handlebars, snow on the road - do your local stores have better delivery options than we have in the states?
And at the same time, last night, I was taking tissues out of their cardboard boxes and wondering about using the packing strap baskets to store the tissues in. Even though we try to get the simplest tissue boxes, they often come mixed up in sets with other more garishly designed boxes. It does look like it will be hard to find simple white ones here though. How do you keep tissues around the house? I carry a handkerchief in my purse but in the house, my family is always reaching for a tissue. As you can see, I too decant, switch out, transfer and replace goods from the original packaging brought into the house. Thanks again for making us feel so welcome here.
Posted by: Jacqueline | January 15, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Hi Benita-
Ahhh!The packing strap basket quest. They were the most lusted after item (by me) when I first found your blog and home photos. I live in the states and I looked and looked for these in White. I think I looked on and off for months! I found some via the Land of Nod.
It's a kids catalog and they have a website too- landofnod.com. I believe the baskets start at $7.95, so they are a bit price-y. They have several sizes and colors. This is the ONLY place I have been able to find them in white. I hope this helps.
I use the larger baskets (the taller one, that's round) for extra long wrapping paper rolls.
The Container store carries some,but no white.
carol
Posted by: carol k | January 15, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Hi Benita-
The Container Store, in the states (and online) does have various packing strap baskets, but (sadly) I've found none yet that are all white. I filled all of my linen closet shelves with these (which they call woven nylon bins) in green. http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=166&PRODID=10012570
Nice and bright, but I really wish they were white like yours!
Posted by: Annie Pazoo | January 16, 2009 at 01:03 AM
Hi Benita, I'm seriously addicted to your blog! It's so inspirational -- I just wish I had your energy...
Cost Plus/World Market has similar baskets in their bathroom section. I use one for dog toys and just bought a few of their white ones for cupboard storage:
http://www.worldmarket.com/Shower-Caddy/lev/4/productId/7344/Ntt/bathroom%20basket/Ntx/mode+matchallpartial/Ntk/Def/N/0/Nty/1/index.pro
Posted by: lpw | January 16, 2009 at 01:36 AM
I also haven't seen them in white, but I did just spot some at the dollar store the other day (Dollar Tree, officially). Quite a few colors--some solid, some bi-colored...and super cheap! Worth a look, anyway.
Posted by: Emily | January 16, 2009 at 03:41 AM
All the items are attractive.
Lucy
Posted by: Home Decorating Products | January 16, 2009 at 04:55 AM
I love Åhléns but it is too far for me now. So many thanks :-)) and did find through the shop locator that 6 shops in my city (one even in my street) have this baskets or at least can order them :-)
Posted by: jja | January 16, 2009 at 09:24 AM
These packing strap baskets were originally designed by a Dutch company and are being copied world wide (no wonder, they are great). Unfortunately I noticed the other day that the company now only makes these with their logo on the basket and that's quite large. It does away with the simplicity I liked so much.
Benita, did you flip through the catalogue? It features Pippi Longstocking, but I'm sure you do not feel any kinship to her ;-).
Posted by: Vanja | January 16, 2009 at 01:20 PM
I got two of them today! My heart is jumping! In white! And they can order more for me! (They're a little expensive here, so I have to wait a bit.)
I'm so so so so happy! Thanks again and again!
Posted by: Franziska | January 16, 2009 at 06:08 PM
Thanks all so much for your sources! I've added an edit with them in the post for others to find :)
Franziska and jja, I'm so happy for you!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | January 16, 2009 at 08:36 PM
How funny! I was just looking for these the other day! I finally did find them at the land of nod, even though they're a bit pricey, I might spring for them anyway. I need something to toss scarves and gloves into.
Posted by: Elissa | January 17, 2009 at 01:30 AM
Jacqueline, luckily our local DIY store/lumber yard delivers :) We just need to be more organized and really think to order everything we'll need for 6 months or so because the delivery is fairly expensive if you only get a few things. We are about to make that very list this weekend in fact.
I've been trying to find a similar acrylic tissue box to the one I have but can't seem to locate one. I bought mine at Muji on sale a couple of years ago. You can see it in the third photo here http://chezlarsson.typepad.com/myblog/2008/06/organizing-maga.html.
I added some other tissue holders which I really like to my Amazon shop http://astore.amazon.com/chezlars-20. You can find them on the last page under "Organizing Parsaphenalia" :)
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | January 17, 2009 at 02:37 PM