Clutter Catchers
Feb 11th, 2008 by Marilyn
It’s frrreezing here. We don’t have a fence yet, so we’re walking the dog constantly – in frigid weather. This means that coats, scarves, and gloves need to be ready-to-grab, stat.
We also don’t have any grass yet – so this year’s unusually consistent winter means we’re always contending with snowy, and often muddy, boots. We frequently track in both snow and mud; I watch it form neatly dried paw prints across my wood floors. It is the evil Snud.
Like most people, we needed a clutter catcher at the back door to hold coats, boots, shoes, gloves, umbrellas, purses, school bags, hats, keys, and whatever else we drop on the way in. We had the right spot on the wall, with good available width and height, but not depth. The shallow space made it hard to find a proper “hall tree,” either new or old.
We couldn’t find the one right piece; so we came up with a two-part solution. Casual separates.
First, a “train rack” mirror we’d had in the entry of our old house – an Anthropologie sale find from years ago. Their home stuff is delicious; their prices, not so much.
Second, after seriously diligent hunting and checking of measurements, Greg turned up an English oak cabinet on eBay – most likely it was once the lower half of a full hall tree.
Together, they hold nearly everything we need to grab and go…even umbrellas.
This huge and rather hideous golf umbrella is my favorite for dog-walking in the rain. Someone left it at a party and never claimed it…now it has its own oak umbrella slot, and keeps me dry on the most downpouring of days. Thanks, inebriated forgetful party guest!
We hung the mirror with the proper length in mind for coats and jackets. Now the two work as a team…
..and they’re doing a bang-up job. I’ve been looking for a flat, vintage metal sign to hang between them – you know, to promote worker harmony and visually connect the two.
This shouldn’t be too hard, since metal signs seem to find us. If we look in earnest, we should have one before noon.
