Globe-Trotter introduces the Steamer Home Trunk, a made-to-order collection that reimagines its historic trunks for the home. Handcrafted in England from the brand’s signature vulcanised fibreboard, each piece reflects over 129 years of British travel heritage, translated into contemporary interior design.
Designed as both a storage object and a piece of furniture, the Steamer Home Trunk functions seamlessly as a coffee table, bedroom trunk, or statement piece within living rooms, dressing rooms and studies.
INSPIRED BY THE PAST
A steamer trunk epitomises the golden age of travel. Strong, practical and beautifully made, these pieces were designed to accompany long voyages at the turn of the century, when travel was defined by elegance, ceremony and discovery.
As transatlantic crossings became more common in the early twentieth century, even the act of packing became a considered practice, reflected in contemporary travel writing of the era. A Vogue article published in 1911 observed:
“The steamer trunk, if packed carefully and practically, holds all that any woman need require for the voyage to Europe. Since crossing to the other side has become an everyday affair, the question of what to take on the voyage has become a practical science – not a guesswork proposition.”
It was a time defined by detail and craftsmanship, where travel objects were designed not only to serve a purpose, but to endure it beautifully.
A NEW CHAPTER
When Globe-Trotter was established in 1897, steamer trunks formed the foundation of the brand. Crafted from vulcanised fibreboard, they were designed to travel alongside their owners, carrying possessions across the world.
Today, the Steamer Home Trunk brings that legacy into the interior. Designed for the home, the collection reflects Globe-Trotter’s enduring commitment to craftsmanship, material integrity and timeless design. Each trunk is made to order, reinforcing its collectible nature and long-term value.
CRAFTSMANSHIP AT ITS FINEST
What makes a steamer trunk relevant today is not only its function, but its presence as a design object, one that carries the same precision and care as the original travel pieces.
Joe Galea, Restorations Manager at Globe-Trotter’s Hertfordshire factory, describes the process as a continuation of traditional craftsmanship:
“Traditional processes used historically by Globe-Trotter are still very much at the heart of how we make these trunks, with only minor adjustments for efficiency today. This ‘full circle’ moment highlights continuity between past and present, preserving heritage while adapting for the modern era.”
Each trunk shares the same DNA as Globe-Trotter’s suitcases, with leather handles, polished metal hardware and precision-built fibreboard construction.
The interior linings introduce a more expressive layer of detail, from heritage-inspired paisleys to intricate motifs, designed to create contrast and depth once opened.
“The most important steps are cutting and bending the fibreboard, riveting the body, and assembling the locks and handles,” says Galea. “This process gives shape to the trunk and forms the foundation for the interior lining.”
“The lining transforms the trunk and creates a real sense of discovery. It is something our artisans are extremely proud of.”
SIGNATURE COLOURWAYS
The Steamer Home Trunk collection is defined by Globe-Trotter’s signature palette:
Marmalade and Brown with brass hardware — lined with a finely woven English countryside scene, featuring a stag motif that adds narrative depth and tradition.
Navy and Red with nickel hardware — finished with an intricate paisley interior that introduces subtle decorative richness.
Green and Brown with brass fittings — a refined expression of heritage tones, offering structure and restraint.
Oxblood and Black with brass hardware — featuring Globe-Trotter’s signature repeat motif, reinforcing brand identity through understated detail.
MAKING A HOUSE A HOME
A modern home is as much an expression of personal style as it is of lifestyle. As consumers increasingly turn away from disposable design in favour of enduring craftsmanship, interiors are becoming more considered, personal and expressive.
Like a Globe-Trotter suitcase, a Steamer Home Trunk is designed to accompany every chapter of life. Crafted with the same exacting standards as the brand’s luggage, each piece is built not just for years of use, but for generations to come. The same vulcanised fibreboard that once accompanied explorers to Everest now brings a sense of adventure and enduring quality into contemporary interiors.
Versatile and characterful, a steamer trunk can sit at the foot of a bed as a blanket chest, be reimagined as a coffee table, styled as a bench in a bay window, or used as a distinctive nightstand. In more contemporary settings, it can also serve as a media console or entryway storage, offering a strong first impression that sets the tone for the home.
Each trunk brings together function, craftsmanship and personality timeless piece designed to evolve with the home and become a future heirloom.
WHERE TO SEE THE COLLECTION
The Steamer Home Trunk collection is available at Globe-Trotter boutiques in London, Paris and Tokyo.
All pieces are made to order, with lead times varying by design and complexity.
