The Hey Chesto case integrates shelving, meaning holidaymakers don’t even have to unpack

Great British Life: The vintage-inspired HeyChesto case, which turns into a chest of drawers, has been created by Devon traveller Tanya Ames. Photo: HeyChestoThe vintage-inspired HeyChesto case, which turns into a chest of drawers, has been created by Devon traveller Tanya Ames. Photo: HeyChesto (Image: Archant)

Self-confessed travelholic Tanya Ames has invented an intriguing suitcase – with drawers – from her Devon home, enabling holidaymakers to avoid the dreaded ‘floordrobe’ moment.

HeyChesto is a sophisticated, vintage-inspired case with an interior that conceals an ingenious shelving system to keep clothes beautifully organised.

Tiverton-based Tanya launched her product last year with “a lot of blood, sweat and tears” having gone into perfecting the product she visualised.

Working from her kitchen table - or that of her ‘Chesto chick’, team member Vicky Fraser - the nutritional therapist now has the perfect companion for the “stylish traveller who wants to spend time exploring – not unpacking”.

Great British Life: Each case is hand-made, with a durable faux-leather shell with smart brass buckles to complete the vintage look. Photo: HeyChestoEach case is hand-made, with a durable faux-leather shell with smart brass buckles to complete the vintage look. Photo: HeyChesto (Image: Archant)

Tanya’s concept is to create hassle-free packing, falling upon the idea whilst travelling with her family.

She explains: “I have always loved to travel ever since I was old enough to pick up a suitcase and buy a ticket. Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of minimising stress in order to maximise enjoyment when it comes to being on the move. However, it wasn’t until one particular trip with my family that the concept of the HeyChesto suitcase was born.”

Read more: The bespoke jewellery boxes that are made in Devon.

The thought of having to share a room with her husband and four young children whilst staying with a friend in France left Tayna shrouded in panic on the journey as they drove to their destination.

“With the last four hours left of the journey, it was my turn to drive. Ben, our eldest son, was in the front with the important job of keeping the driver awake. However, I soon realised that the excitement of our imminent arrival, seeing our friends and opening a celebratory bottle of rose, was being replaced by trepidation. How would I prevent a ‘floordrobe’ in our soon-to-be shared bedroom after I’d neatly packed everyone’s suitcase? I could already feel the stress brewing!

“As a result, Ben and I set ourselves a challenge for the last few hours of the journey - we both had to come up with different solutions on how to keep clothes tidy and organised without unpacking.

“Consequently, we scoured the internet for a cabin-sized suitcase with interior shelving that could be used as a chest of drawers away from home. To our surprise, nothing existed on the internet…this is when the HeyChesto journey began.

“The aim is to bring HeyChesto to the market for the stylish traveller who wants to spend time exploring and not unpacking. It’s the kind of travel accessory that people will see as an extension of their wardrobe, a case for people who want to have it displayed in their homes, not tucked away in their attics.”

How does it work?

Essentially, when the traveller arrives at their destination, their suitcase transforms into a chest of drawers.

The classic exterior design of the luggage shows that the HeyChesto traveller takes simple glamour seriously,

Each case is hand-made, with a durable PU exterior faux-leather shell with smart brass buckles to complete the vintage look and a sturdy lock keeps possessions safe,

Choose from the striking black chest with red, white and blue webbing or the stylish teal with pale teal and orange webbing.

There’s even a pocket on the exterior to take care of the passport or boarding pass panics.

Quality, craftsmanship, elegance, functionality and usability is essential - life on the road can be so uncomplicated with HeyChesto

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