• ABOUT
  • PODCAST
  • BLOG
    • MINIMALISM
    • HOME DESIGN AND RENOVATION
    • DIY
    • SEW
    • EAT
    • TRAVEL
  • BOOK
  • CONTACT
  • SUMMER CAMP
  • CREATIVE CAMP
  • NOVIOS RETREAT
  • <iframe frameborder="0" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm?p=CTL9280674595&light=true" width="100%" height="482"></iframe>
  • ABOUT
  • PODCAST
  • BLOG
    • MINIMALISM
    • HOME DESIGN AND RENOVATION
    • DIY
    • SEW
    • EAT
    • TRAVEL
  • BOOK
  • CONTACT
  • SUMMER CAMP
  • CREATIVE CAMP
  • NOVIOS RETREAT
Steele Canvas Baskets
July 9, 2012

Today I am so excited to share with you my new baskets from Steele Canvas. I had been searching for over a year for a replacement for my cheap, wicker hampers  (bought on the fly around the time we got married). Like it or not, the laundry basket is something that I interact with multiple times a day, and I wanted to buy something that I loved and would have for a long time. You know, take some of the edge off of the endless homework of the wash, dry, fold, repeat? I knew exactly what I wanted: industrial, mobile, well-designed, and durable. I just couldn’t seem to find it! I kept thinking “I just want one of those awesome rolling carts that they have at hotels…” Well, folks. I found them. And they are perfect. Forget “Virginia is for Lovers”–in our house, “Laundry is for Lovers”, now!!

When I surfed into the Steele Canvas website, I felt like I had hit the jackpot. The company has been around for over 90 years, and they are sort of like the mecca of laundry baskets, carts, and hampers. Though they are primarily a supplier for big industry, they also sell to individuals for home use. The company is family-run, and all of their products are still manufactured here in the USA. That’s super unusual for a thriving retail business, and something I can get behind completely.

Browsing through their products for the home I immediately recognized their No. 152 Elevated Truck as exactly what I needed for my laundry. It comes standard in canvas, without the grid bottom, but Steele Canvas offers fully customizable options. I decided to order it in standard grey Steeletex fabric (although the color options are awesome!) rather than canvas because I wanted to be able to toss wet towels, and swimsuits in there without worry of mold. Have you ever had a moldy laundry bin liner? It’s gross. I want the laundry to be as low maintenance as possible and this Steeletex fabric is used in commercial fishing, so I was pretty sure it could get wet no problem.  I also opted to add permanent dividers to the inside of the cart, separating my whites, darks, and household linens.

My cart is a 4 bushel size, and I’d say each of my divisions holds an entire full load of laundry. For the linens, that’s a full set of king sheets, and about four big towels. I’ve been amazed how much it holds for being quite sleek. It fits exactly next to the bookshelf in my room, and when it’s full, I know I have three loads and will be done! This cart is seriously tough. It has a full steel frame, and the basket is industrial strength. I love the thick stitching and the no-nonsense grommets and casters. I feel like it will be around forever. In fact, I spotted this vintage Steele Canvas Basket in a consignment store last week (for $225!!) and the owner estimated it to be around 50 year old. Amazing, right?

Because it’s on wheels, Milo gets to help me pull it down the hall to the washer/dryer in the kitchen. He thinks that’s pretty cool. I live in a tiny apartment, which some cause some to argue that there isn’t space for something like this. My opinion is that the laundry has to go somewhere, why not put it somewhere I am excited to see it?! Dave thought I was a little crazy when I told him I wanted this custom cart (estimated at $160.oo+shipping including all customizations). But, since we’ve had it, he’s been completely impressed. He now loves it as much as I do.

After I had contacted Steele Canvas with my order, I mentioned to them that I would love to do a review of the product on my blog in exchange for a discount. (Nothing to lose, right?! I was going to buy it anyway!) They were super nice and said they would be happy to work with me, and mentioned it might be a good idea for me to review a product that was available for online order. So, I decided to go ahead and order one of their No. 122 Small Trucks  for the boys’ room, too. I got it in the standard canvas and 2.5 bushel size (retails for $99.70+shipping) and it’s just what I needed.

Can you believe how great looking this is? I love the clean, industrial design. this size is absolutely great for the boys. At 21″ high, it’s just at Milo’s fingertips for filling, pushing, and pulling around the house. It was a needed addition to the boys’ small shared room. The canvas is really heavy weight and durable, and the casters are removable with a wrench, in case I ever want it to stay put. Right now it is the home of all of Milo’s dress ups (and other rogue toys on occasion).


 These Steele Canvas baskets aren’t a cheap, quick fix for laundry or storage. They are what I found to thoughtfully and intentionally replace my cheap fixes with high quality, well-made, timeless solutions. I am completely thrilled with the two that I have, and when we move to a bigger space (someday…sigh) I will be adding to my Steele Canvas collection. I think they are so great looking and versatile, the possibilities are endless.
**I received a discount on these Steele Canvas Products, but the opinions expressed are my own, and completely candid. I will only review products that I am genuinely interested in, and my posts will always be honest.**

If you have a product you’d like me to review, drop me a line!

Share

Decorate  / Home Improvement  / Product Review

  • ABOUT

    Welcome! I’m Miranda, the maker mama behind Live Free Creative Company.

  • More Than Enough Book


    Have you ever felt like you were running a race you couldn’t win in life? Like there was always something more to buy or to achieve in order for you to feel like you had “made it”?In this book, I share how my heart changed and I began to find real, lasting peace, abundance, and joy through focusing on what matters most and disregarding the rest.

    Find out more here.

  • ConvertKit Form

    Five Days to Freedom: Tips for Choosing Less Stuff and More Adventure in your Daily Life

    Five lessons with practical tips and exercises to help you feel more in control of your life!

    Success!

    There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

    We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit
  • Recent on Instagram

    livefreemiranda

    The final episode this year of Live Free Creative The final episode this year of Live Free Creative Podcast dropped this morning: a look back at 2022 and an invitation to reflect. 

Often, it is in the remembering and retelling of our own stories where meaning is made. With a little distance, we can usually see more clearly how our experiences have changed us. This self-awareness is a beautiful place from where we can step into the future with added clarity and hopefully a measure of compassion and peace. 

Tune in on your favorite podcast app. 💛 #livefreecreativepodcast
    This last week of the year is talked about like a This last week of the year is talked about like a Bermuda Triangle of time warp— I think it is the *perfect* time for reflection. Not hustle, goal-setting, or even planning (though I love a good plan😉). 

This is the time to look back with clear and honest eyes on the challenges, joys, disappointments, and fulfillments of the last year and make some meaning of it all. Accepting who and where we are now with grace and love can help us proceed into the next right step with compassion and clarity. 

2022 was one of my personal toughest. It was simultaneously filled with light and laughter. A beautiful mess. 💛

What was one of your favorite moments of the last year? Feel free to share below. I’d love to hear!
    I’ve spent a long time curious about optimism- w I’ve spent a long time curious about optimism- what it really looks like and how it is evidenced in real life. 

Learning about explanatory styles helped clarify some of the nuances of optimistic people acknowledging and accepting negative events and emotions without being taken down by them. 

Optimism is not toxic positivity, it is the perspective that although negative things occur, they are usually temporary, impersonal and specific. 

These illustrations can help you clarify the difference between how an optimist and a pessimist may describe positive and negative events— and listening to episode 217 of Live Free Creative Podcast can help with some practical ideas for building your optimism muscle. 💪😃

#livefreecreativepodcast
    One semester down of the Master of Applied Positiv One semester down of the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program at @uofpenn 🙌. 

After over two decades of interest in and self-study of the ideas of happiness, progress, and what makes life worth living, it has been a dream come true to dive even deeper with the guidance of great professors, guest lecturers, and classmates. It is a ton of work, and also reminds me that most truly worthwhile things are. ❤️

Cheers to lifelong learning, growing, and flourishing! 🌱🌲 

(These are a small sample of the hundreds of pages of books, journal articles, and essays I’ve dug into this semester. All of these are easily accessible, and fun to read. Highly recommend!)

#positivepsychology #selfdevelopmentbooks
#pennpov
    Let’s talk about OPTIMISM! 😊 Many people (fa Let’s talk about OPTIMISM! 😊

Many people (falsely) assume that optimism means ignoring negative events or emotions. Instead, optimism is the perspective with which one views negative emotions and events: as temporary, changeable, and impersonal. 

For (very simple) example, when an optimistic person stubs her toe, she might think “Ouch! That hurts! That step came out of nowhere… I’ll look out for it next time.” 

In contrast, a pessimist might stub her toe and think “Ouch! That hurts! Why do I always get hurt? I’m such a klutz.”

Optimistic people tend to see negative events as occasional, and positive events as the norm. They tune their attention to things that do or could go right, rather than giving all the weight to things that do or could go wrong. 

Additionally, optimism can be LEARNED and PRACTICED, with amazing and beneficial outcomes on life satisfaction, relationships, and overall well-being. 

Do you consider yourself more of an optimist or a pessimist?

Listen to #livefreecreativepodcast this week for a deep dive into Optimism! 🌤️
    Paper Person for LIFE ✌️ I write plans, lists Paper Person for LIFE ✌️

I write plans, lists, to-do’s, outlines, notes, dreams, memories, and stories on good old fashioned paper (preferably 80# cotton mohawk paper with a .3 muji pen 😉).

Did you know research shows that writing by hand (versus typing) activates different parts of the brain and can increase understanding, perception, memory, motor skills, and even creativity? While typing and tech definitely have their benefits, writing by hand, on paper, is still an important, valid, and (in my personal experience) cathartic experience.

If you’ve been around a while, you know @golden.coil is my favorite, (sister-owned) customizable planner and notebook company. 📒

Who else has a paper brain like me? 🙋🏻‍♀️
    What expectations do you have for the holidays? Or What expectations do you have for the holidays? Or for the New Year?

I’d love to hear about them. And invite you to consider how developing appreciate (instead of/alongside) expectation can build your well-being and positive emotions. 

Listen to Episode 216 of #livefreecreativepodcast for a more in-depth discussion. 💚
    Expectations are normal— but are they helpful? Expectations are normal— but are they helpful?

Unmet expectations lead to disappointment on the one end of the spectrum and resentment or even anger on the other. 

In contrast, appreciation increases positivity, motivation, and resilience. 

Neither expectations nor appreciation cost us anything… so which do we want to intentionally invite into our lives? 💛

Listen to Episode 216 for more insights. #livefreecreativepodcast
    One wall, one quart of green paint, three hours of One wall, one quart of green paint, three hours of procrastinating folding laundry: a gorgeous new office space. 💚💁🏻‍♀️

Sometimes we need to JUST GO FOR IT when the urge to improve strikes, even if it doesn’t make sense. Pausing a hundred small to-do’s so you can accomplish one with long-lasting impact feels amazing. 

(I think picking up this incredible @thicketdesign serpent and butterfly painting from @frameofmindrva was the push I needed to make it happen. 😍) 

What small home project would make the biggest positive impact for you right now?

#livefreeabode
    The halls are decked, there’s a log on the fire, The halls are decked, there’s a log on the fire, and a cozy holiday playlist of podcast favorites for the season on the speaker. 🔥👉

Swipe for a list of Holiday Season episodes that will invite some intention, creativity, joy, and magic into your life this season. 🎙️🎁

Find a link to the full Spotify Playlist in the story highlight (after the last couple weeks I KNOW how many of you love Spotify 🤭)

What holiday-themed episode do you want to hear next? Drop ideas in the comments! 

#livefreecreativepodcast #livefreeabode
    Connection builds resilience, reduces stress, and Connection builds resilience, reduces stress, and makes us happier! ✨

While this last year (um…2-3 years? 🫠) has been difficult on many levels, it has also felt very connective. Weird how challenges can do that: build meaning and strengthen relationships. 

Our family has leaned on simple habits routines to deepen our connection: nightly family dinner, walking to school together, weekly dates for Dave and me, family vacation and weekend getaways to leave it all behind and simply have fun together! 

What are you doing to intentionally build/maintain your connection to those who matter most to you? 

(Thank you @mollyhunterphotography for capturing our family so beautifully!)
    Inviting the hygge of the season into this new hom Inviting the hygge of the season into this new home. 🎄

In a lot of ways, 2022 has been one of the toughest years we’ve experienced. From health challenges, family tragedies, and heartbreak to difficult personal growth, we have been just barely keeping our heads above water.

This Christmastime, I am grateful for the hope and peace of accepting and integrating what is, exercising non-judgement and optimism in the face of obstacles, and the power of close friendships and relationships to ease the load. 💛

Sending love and light to you this season, whether hope-filled or heart-wrenching or a little of both. ✨

#livefreeabode
    Load More... Follow @livefreemiranda on Instagram
  • FAVORITE CATEGORIES

    • DIY
    • SEW
    • DECORATE
    • EAT
    • LIFE
    • TRAVEL



© Copyright 2021 Live Free Creative Co | View our Privacy Policy