Amanda at Serenity Now for Amanda is hosting another party. This time it’s a decorating dilemma party. This is a great way to get suggestions from others for how to solve a dilemma in your home.
My dilemma is mail organization. Our mail comes through the door and lands on the rug you see here. When I come home from school, I sort it into my pile (mostly magazines) and Mr. SP’s pile (mostly bills – hee-hee). The piles aren’t too bad, but an organizational system would make it prettier.
I used to have an antique radio on top of this trunk and it filled some of the space between the trunk and the hunt scene picture. I believe that I need something on the trunk with a little height.
This trunk is in my formal living room, so whatever I use for organization needs to be attractive. I like antiques and if the organizational system involved something old, that would be the best of all worlds.
The trunk is to the left behind the sofa.
Suggestions??
Now, back to the party!
Well, an antique mail sorting cubby unit would be too cool, but to find one might be hard! Something else that would have little cubbies would work. I'll keep thinking. Your home is lovely!
ReplyDeleteNancy
I bet with some scouting you can find some sort of really neat old cubby or neat metal box to hang there over the trunk. Hang whatever you find with the opening on the top so that the mail doesn't show as much. I love the room, and the trunk too!!! :) Thanks for linking up. I think I'll try covering up the mirrored back first and then see how I like it. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Paula, check this out....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Uptown-Country-Vintage-Mail-Keeper/dp/B000MSE0EW
I can send a pic if you need me to.
Suzanne
What about an old mailbox? I mean the flat kind that is on the wall of the porch rather than the kind on the post. I found one that was painted blue and kinda old and chippy at a garage sale for four dollars. What about something like this
ReplyDeletehttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jrcKkqOwT88/R_zwek-fDdI/AAAAAAAAAeY/aT8tz7wsc84/s1600-h/CC-WireMailBox.jpg
or this
http://img4.realsimple.com/images/work-life/etiquette/0802/mail-box_300.jpg
yes you can use baskets or you could even make something like this!http://www.potterybarn.com/products/bedford-accessories/?pkey=x%7C4%7C1%7C%7C10%7Cdesk%20organizer%7C%7C0&cm_src=SCH
ReplyDeleteThose are all great suggestions above. You could even use a smaller antique trunk on top of your...leaving the open. As long as it didn't come too close to the hunt scene, the mail could hide within. Looks like you'll be fleaing to find this solution.
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ReplyDeleteA couple of weeks ago at Hobby Lobby I saw a really cute antique looking mail sorter metal thingee. It was REALLY cute. I think it could sit or hang.
ReplyDeleteALSO, recently in an antique shop I saw an old post office mail sorter. It was really cool, or an old milk crate hung up - the kind with the larger slots. I used an antique tool box for awhile (the open kind that's built up on the sides with a divider in the middle with a handle like Pa on Little House on the Prairie carried - makes sense?) Baskets are always great too.
Love your living room!
Also, kind of primitive, but I have seen really, really cute antique nesting boxes for hens. I know it sounds gross, but could be cute. I can't find a good picture to link. Again, something I saw in antique shop and didn't know what it was until Hubby told me.
ReplyDeleteYes, fill the space above the trunk.
ReplyDeleteIf you are handy you could create your own antique mail sorting system. Google for images and go from there.
I'd love to fix your problem...except I have the same one! It's my kitchen table though...ugh. I hate mail!
ReplyDeleteNice suggestions! What about an old suitcase -- would fit with the trunk. Set the suitcase on top and fashion some sort of dividers in it. Sort mail and close top. :)
ReplyDeleteI think baskets can often solve many problems! I got a basket not too long ago at Michaels that is flat like a tray and used it for sorting mail. It would lie nicely on top of the trunk.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Your house is beautiful! And I LOVE that trunk! I like all the suggestions so far, especially the one for a smaller trunk/chest that could sit on top of the big one!
ReplyDeleteYour trunk is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt might be nice to put something tall (a trio of old finials?) on top of the trunk, and then just use something utilitarian to hold the mail, such as an antique box or basket.
I do think you're right that you need something to go in the space above the trunk, so if you can't find standing accessories with some height, you could mount something on the wall there, such as a piece of architectural salvage.
Good luck!
Trays are always a good solution, they come in various sizes. For height, I'm envisioning an old, maybe even slightly rusty pitcher with some sort of sticks in it, stacked on books if add'l height is needed.
ReplyDeletePaula, I love your trunk. You do have a dilemma. The trunk is so nice that I know you don't want it covered with the mail. You have some nice suggestions. Have you considered moving your mail to another spot?
ReplyDeleteI use baskets....and am constantly checking the basket...Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I love FrouFrouBritches idea of an antique toolbox. You know one that is solid wood with a well worn gleam. You might have to pay a little extra for one, but you could use it for a million things, forever.
ReplyDeleteLorrie