A dear friend gifted me with a vintage cash register when i opened the doors to my first design studio back in 2001. She had searched far and wide and ended up buying the actual register one shop owner was using in his antique store! Scooped it right out from under him!
She’s a haggler. She’s pretty great to have around at a flea market.
Anyway, it’s 9 years later now and i have closed those lovely doors in favor of working from home. But i’ve always given that register a place of honor in my house and i think it’s time it became a more meaningful, memorable, family heirloom. i’ve turned it into a family till. You know, fun-money headquarters. The place you go when you want to grab a few dollars for spur of the moment ice cream cones, or a tip for the pizza delivery guy, or cash for a little toy or trinket from Five Below for the little man.
Since the register will be a happy place, i’ve given the antique-y brown facade a little stephanie corfee style-face-lift. Yep, that DOES mean color! and some sticky Mod Podge fingers. My goal was to turn it into a quirky conversation piece. i think i kinda like it! My sweet husband now has the task of building a proper table, just perfectly sized for it, in a little nook right near the front door. (i’ve already drawn up the plans.)
So here’s how it will work:
Whenever we have spare change or some singles, we’ll pop them into the till like you would a coin jar. When any of us needs a little mad money, we’ll tap into the till and hear the glorious, vintage-y CHING sound and the rickety sliding out of the cash drawer. i can hear my little guy now, “can i grab a dollar from the till, mom?” “sure sweetie!” CHING! Maybe one day i can pass down the register and my granchildren (fingers crossed!) can continue the tradition.
Note: i numbered the top row of keys 1-10 so my son can practice his number recognition. And i added images of each of the 4 coin denominations in the coin wells so he can learn to identify and count change!”
I’m like my art… a little bit 
That is the coolest idea I have ever seen for loose change! Off to hunt for a “till” for our house
thanks debra….it was a fun project to do!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by stephaniecorfee. stephaniecorfee said: 1st project post on @scoutiegirlblog! http://tinyurl.com/24y2d6g Creating a Family Tradition – see? you didn't have to wait too long! [...]
Okay, how seriously cute is THAT!
thanks brandi, i live for cute : )
That cash register is AMAZING. And yes, the newfound use for it is equally cool.
Thanks Mallory. It took a long time, but was thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing. i only had to wash the Mod Podge off my fingers a half a dozen times!! haha
I love what you’ve done with the cash till, it looks amazing! And what a brilliant idea to use it as a goody money jar, brilliant!
thank you gabrielle! the sound it makes is too good not to utilize : ) kids love to push the buttons : )
what a fabulous idea stephanie! i seriously love it and what a beautiful way you have decorated it. gorgeous! of course i LOVE color.
Stephanie that is absolutely brilliant!
The only problem in our house is we have more spare change than would ever fit in a till! Though, at least the cash register would never be empty.
Great, one more thing to hunt down next time I’m at the flea market.
I think I might include this in my link roundup for Friday over at Small for Big. Thanks!
Whoops, just wanted to make sure I had a working link back to my site for you. Hit the reply button too quickly the first time!
mari!! wow, thank you for such a lovely comment! i am so happy this first project is so well-received. i would be honored to be included in the roundup! thank you!
It totally gorgeous and super cute! *Stands looking at her mason jar in awe your genius.*
oooooh…..elizabeth! i love me a mason jar! Nothing wrong with that!
wonderful idea and such a beautiful piece of design history – it will make a great legacy for your future generations!
thank you jay! i sure do hope it stays in the family for a long time : ) and i welcome some dings and wear. that will just make it all the more special to me.
[...] best use of a vintage cash register at Scoutie Girl. It’s so good I suddenly have the urge to find my own till [...]
WOW!!!! That is amazing. I love the text on the front too!
thanks ashley!! i’m so happy with how it turned out….been filling it with change and $1s so we can put it to good use ; )
[...] LINKS Transform your Bedroom with Colorful Bedding @ paper n stitch a grand entrance… @ Oh Joy! wake. create. repeat. – creating a family tradition @ Scoutie Girl before & after: lori’s bed + kristen’s dresser @ Design*Sponge Style [...]
This is sooooo cool! Thanks for sharing! I’ll have to fire up Twitter and show this off!
Awesome. Amazing. I love it!
I NEED that cash register in my life!!