Old Things New

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Message Center Wall

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Do you have a place where you keep your mail organized?  Ours used to be the kitchen table, with a few strays making it onto the kitchen counter top or over into the living room to land on the coffee table.  It was a mess!  But now, while it’s not perfect (a few pieces still somehow seem to end up next to Mr. OTN’s leather recliner), it is OH, SO MUCH more organized.  
My inspiration came from Pottery Barn.  Every time I looked at their pictures of home offices with neat storage solutions I knew I wanted to create something like that for myself.  I decided to use the wasted space on the entryway wall just off the garage, as it would be strong encouragement to drop the mail here before it got around the corner to the edge of the kitchen table.
 Now while the Pottery Barn pictures were pretty they were a little too “officey” to suit my taste.  Thus, the decision to create my own style of message center.  I’ll take you step-by-step through each element of the wall.
 This is my Chicken Wire Message Board which I shared in an earlier post. You can view the complete tutorial HERE.
I purchased this wire mail organizer at Marshall’s for $12.99 and this is the piece that has really saved the day.  I love the grand size of it . . . three feet tall . . . as it will hold a LOT of mail before I get around to organizing it. Magazines and large mail goes on top and envelopes on the bottom.
Do you remember the popularity of golden oak?  Mr. OTN had an entire office of golden oak.  Desk, bookshelves, file cabinets, wall organizers . . . That’s what this piece was before a few layers of  paint and some burlap over the cork.
I loved the idea of adding a magnetic board for displaying a few of my favorite photos.  With the right tool it is super simple to cut sheet metal to fit into an old frame (tutorial soon to come).
Not only do I get to see my funny family members every time I walk in the door . . . 
  . . . but it has also made my refrigerator less cluttered!  Now I use the side of the refrigerator to write daily reminders to myself.
I added this antique brass hook to hang miscellaneous items, such as my purse, a sweater or, right now, my apron.
I wanted a chalkboard for writing messages.  This old tray was $2.99 at one of my local thrift stores!  Gorgeous piece, perfect price! With the addition of a little chalkboard paint it was ready to to carry the sentiment I’m feeling right now, living on a lake in the summertime.
So this is my message center wall.  Mr. OTN picks up the mail on his way down the driveway, drops the junk mail right into the recycle containers in the garage, and the rest of the mail into the mail bin.
 Space-by-space we are creating order in our home.  
It is so much fun making OldThingsNew.
 
       Blessings to you, 
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Comments

  1. I love your little organizing area and all the elements make it not just functional, but cute. We don’t really have a spot for anything like it, but I have one little wire piece I got in the sale room at Anthropologie years ago. We can hang up keys, leave letters for outgoing mail and put important stuff that we need to remember. It isn’t as fun as yours, but it will have to do.

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  4. I love your message center! So eclectic and fun. I had to keep going back to see each piece, and how it fit together, … perfectly!!! Love it!
    Thanks so much for sharing with us.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  10. I’m Robin and I’m cohosting Monday Funday this round, so happy to find your lovely blog and your message center is perfect! You’ve given such beauty and function to your hallway ! Oh, and I love the color on your walls!!! xo
    Happy Day~
    Robin
    All Things Heart and Home

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  12. Patti, what a great idea! I have a desk in the kitchen, but the mail goes right up to hubbies office. I slip it between two of the stair railings and hubby carries it up when he comes home. Sometimes He picks it up outside. However, I still would like something like this in my little entry to the garage. I already have a magnetic board and a rack with hooks that I hang aprons on. I think I will be adding to it. Thanks for the inspiration!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  13. Love your message center wall – the wire organizer is perfect – your personal touches are wonderful! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  14. Hello Patti, I’m back!! I wanted to share that I will be featuring your post in this week’s Home and Garden Thursday, I appreciate you sharing,
    Kathy

    Reply

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