What’s that saying again? If you don’t have any horizontal space, go up? Well, that’s exactly what I did with this crazy old crates on a wall phone station idea. Funky, productive, and super fun! This is not a serious household.. have you noticed? 🙂
Let me show you why I did this…
We don’t have a huge kitchen, so every pencil and paper landed on this valuable counter.
Um… this wasn’t pretty. That thing on the wall caught everything that wasn’t to go on the floor, but the idea was tired and long overdue for a makeover.
Point of interest: that lattice work phone station was one of my very first ever blog projects. So… it might scare you to look. 🙂
So, the general idea was to get everything off the counter and off that lattice paperwork nightmare.
Attaching crates on a wall wasn’t a big deal. The little book shelf went up first, then the crates were stacked around it to make it all work. No planning. Each box was screwed into the wall one at a time like stacked blocks.
Each crate actually serves a purpose. The license plate crate is hiding loose papers. But the most fun about this arrangement is that every box is a different depth. The word symmetry doesn’t apply here… (does it ever?)
Doesn’t this look a little like a chunk of a Willy Wonka house? I should have made a few lean. 🙂
Willy Wonka phone station. There, I said it. Let the google search games and head scratching begin…
This pencil sharpener is HUGE, but that no longer matters. It’s high up in the sky, off the counter. The clipboard is for our personal phone list (which I removed for privacy reasons).
A cluster of junky mass mayhem. Isn’t it delicious?
Brother Les, there’s another one of your baskets, AND your candle making funnel!
I may have to text him that I have another post up with his stuff. It’s THAT IMPORTANT. Like he has nothing better to do. His junk from “the garage sale I wouldn’t like” will keep showing up forevermore me thinks.
Oh, and that wheel is from junking one day when at Lucketts with Karen The Graphics Fairy. Virginia was very good to me.
The bookshelf and old hammer is from a new and used store just down the road. I knew I’d come up with a reason for a grimy old hammer eventually. The tarnished silver tea bag holder is holding loose keys.
Moving down the bookshelf are pens, pencils scissors, highlighters… with enough room to grow. Rustic clay pots are perfect for the job. Nothing too shiny you know. 🙂
I read one time that junker Beth via Patina White didn’t have anything too shiny in her home. Best junker tip EVER.
I want to marry this picture.
The Canadian Butter crate was picked up from my junkin’ day at Hope. That is one beautiful and meaningful box!
So happy how this turned out! And the best part of all?
There’s now room for the cats!
Donna!
I love the last side by side photos…no, not the cats, the actually CLUTTER vs. CLEARED counter…he he he … If I’ve learned anything from you at all, it is how to snap a quick picture and leave the clutter out… No editing involved. 😉
The crate cubbies… I love it.
You always make me chuckle, “I want to marry it.” …you’re hilarious.
Again.
Love the screen doors on your patio doors. Perfect! IT all works together.
Pat
Ha!! A good arm swipe is the best photo editing EVER. But this time, it was really clean! I’m still in shock…
I love love love this idea. Your posts make me look forward to the rest of my life. I’m 55, twice divorced,hideous, life-threatening health problems, on SSI, very little money. The next move is taking me close to my daughter, who also loves this style, and we love to thrift.I am anxious to fix up a little apartment/house with some of these ideas. Your writing cheers me up, makes me smile and your idea are so unique and wonderful. I look forward to seeing what you come up with next. Thanks for taking the time to post your beautiful pics and writing about what you do.
I love it, but my regret is no wall so I can make one. How perfect that would be. My little wall is behind the door and only 12 inches wide…but yours is wonderful. Dianntha
Adorable! I have to say that I do love that lattice memo station too 🙂 I think I have the same clock. So does your son have the problem my kids have… not know where to find anything because it keeps getting moved? LOL “So Mom, where do we keep the pencils now?” … it looks great Donna ! <3
It looks fantastic!! And WAY more functional! Nice work – yet again!!
-breida
Wow, what a great discovery to a common crowded intersection in the pulse of a home. Your design solution looks like an accidental intended sculpture which makes it fun and interesting to admire while performing an important job. Well done!
Ken
….P.S. Love the hammer!
Ken
P.D.S. Pretty Darn Smart. Glad you said where the butter crate came from, I was worried your toilet paper was without a home. Pinned.
Oh Donna, you know I LOVE this!! Perfect “Funky Junk” style 🙂 Laurel
you are Ah-mazing – what a beautiful piece of art in your kitchen to hold clutter! Love it! I want to marry the entire project!
Susan
Well, I love it all. But I must say that the hammer key holder is my very favorite part! I, too, have a small kitchen with a counter-clutter issue. And I also have a thin portion of wall next to the counter. You may have just inspired a new project for me!
I love this, Donna! What a great idea, and I have a little spot it would work perfect in. Now to find some crates…
Debbie 🙂
I had to do it. I googled willy wonka phone station, and guess what- you’re at the top of the search results- ha! 😀 My nerdy self couldn’t resist. Oh, by the way, your crates on the wall look gorgeous. I want some!
See, now THAT’S what happens when you invent your own terms! How we can get the whole world to search for such a thing… guess I’d better invent that too! 🙂
My problem is I really liked the lattice with the clock and tool carrier. I see that you have more room for your stuff. I love everything you do – you are one talented girl with great ideas for everyday objects I would never think of. Thanks for all your posts. I look forward to them.
I LOVE this Donna … seriously right up my alley. I have a counter in our tiny kitchen that also collects everything. I may have to figure out a space for a crate wall. You’re BRILLIANT my dear junkin’ friend!!!
~ Deanna
The desktop needs some of your creative thinking to put a finishing edge of some type on the side. The raw edge is very apparent.
That strip fell off a few years ago. Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
Great work Donna. This is something I’ve done at the cabin, but with old medicine cabinets. Love the idea of stacking the boxes. Wonder if I have more room for that.
It’s beautiful Donna! It functions so well and cleverly addresses your storage/clutter issue. Aside from that it is so stinkin’ awesome to look at 🙂
I love your stuff!!!! I love old boxes and this idea is fantastic!!!!
Donna, wonderful and fun! I am not rustic but I love what you do. And I appreciate your side by side pics of before and after. Makes it so much easier to see what actually has been done and the difference it has made without having to go up and down , up and down…
Keep on trucking , girl!