Don’t know if you noticed the old mailbox in yesterday’s post? Remember how Wille and I found it along with the old wallpaper in the attic and how I was inspired to use it like this?
Well it’s up! And dusted…
And in use!
I love the function which means I don’t have to store small garden tools inside behind the locked door but can easily grab them. And with the lid they stay dry too! I also think it’s so cool that it’s the original mail box to the house and back in use again. Second life.
It's a great idea. Can you do a post on what tools you store there? (Sometimes we can be so nosey! lol)
Posted by: Nancy | May 30, 2012 at 07:18 AM
What you see is it. At the moment a trowl, some grass seeds, a pair of scissors and a brush. What will also end up there are the clippers and garden gloves I guess. Gardening clutter basically.
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | May 30, 2012 at 07:40 AM
I love that you've re-installed this. I love putting original details back into houses. The last house we lived in we found its original victorian roll top bath being used in the garden as a planter. It was still in great condition so we had it professionally re-conditioned and re-enamelled. We then installed it back in the bathroom. Felt so good and it looked fantastic!
Posted by: byebyebirdie | May 30, 2012 at 07:53 AM
And I thought it was a gray mailbox!! It was just dusty.
Good use for the old box.
Posted by: Leena | May 30, 2012 at 07:54 AM
How does the Swedish on the box translate into English? I love the quick grab 'n go AND it's originality to the house!
Posted by: Vicki K | May 30, 2012 at 07:55 AM
It's the name of the block which translates to "map measurer".
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | May 30, 2012 at 08:05 AM
Haha, that's what I thought too!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | May 30, 2012 at 08:06 AM
Brilliant re-cycling x
Posted by: Hxx | May 30, 2012 at 08:28 AM
This a really nifty idea which I am going to 'borrow'.
Posted by: the spectator | May 30, 2012 at 09:34 AM
Me too!
Posted by: April | May 30, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Great idea!
Posted by: celia | May 30, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Excellent idea! I saw this idea in Sunset Magazine years ago and intended to use it but never have put it into action. I should be on the lookout for an old box at one of the thrift shops that I frequent. Thanks for the re-inspiration! Yours looks perfect and so at-home in that location! Such a timesaver and it allows you to garden when the need/spirit presents itself. Otherwise, as we all know, procrastination (does Benita REALLY know the meaning of that word? I certainly do!) can set in.
I wonder how long it will be before someone leaves you a little love note in the box. I wonder if you will you let us know. I hope so!
Posted by: Peggy | May 30, 2012 at 04:22 PM
Great re-use! Are the window bars for security? Do they release from the inside if one must get out in an emergency?
Posted by: Betty | May 30, 2012 at 04:22 PM
Such a simple and cool idea.
Here in the U.S., I'd be concerned that the tools would be stolen. I guess it's not a huge loss if they were but it would annoy me.
Posted by: devil | May 30, 2012 at 04:24 PM
yes, but they weren't added by me. As for getting out I'd use the door...
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | May 30, 2012 at 05:05 PM
Haha, I don't expect any love notes :).
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | May 30, 2012 at 05:08 PM
and lucky you that it turned out to be green! Great find and great use of something original to the house.
Posted by: Giulia | May 30, 2012 at 05:49 PM
So great. To bad I never thought about that when we replaced our old mailbox. But our mailbox was not as cool as yours and with such history.
Posted by: Netten | May 30, 2012 at 08:48 PM
Due to lighting I assume, your wonderful box looks greyish in the top photo. If you decide to paint, it would look fantastic in pale grey (with letters re-stenciled back on perhaps). Just a thought!
Posted by: Sage | May 31, 2012 at 01:02 AM
Benita! It was so fun to receive my weekly email from Real Simple today, which quotes you!!
Posted by: Ann H. | May 31, 2012 at 02:30 AM
Um, no that would be 50 years worth of attic dust :)
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | May 31, 2012 at 07:36 AM
OOoh... must be on the look out for one of those. At the moment such tools are in a plastic bin under a rolling cart in the kitchen but I would know the perfect spot for something like this...
Posted by: Petra from NL | May 31, 2012 at 10:01 AM
I noticed the mailbox in your last post and thought "hmm...they must deliver mail differently over there." Now it all makes sense. Great idea!
Posted by: Michelle | May 31, 2012 at 05:18 PM
This is the perfect idea. I love having just a few things up front that I can grab for improtu weeding, or poop scooping from the feral cats in the neighborhood. I have two little ones and can't leave them in the front yard playing while I either 1- dash into the back shed or 2-go through the house into the garage. My littlest one is a runner and her second favorite outside activity is to run into the street the moment you take your eyes off of her :-\
Luckily we don't live on a busy street.
Anyhow, all of that is to say - I'm going to be looking for something at our thrift store that I can repurpose.
Thanks!
Posted by: Julia @the BackLoop | July 13, 2012 at 09:55 PM