No (unfortunately) I’m not speaking of the greatest hamburger, fries, and shake you’ll ever have in your life (oh, California fast food I miss you), I’m making reference to the small mail center I created in my kitchen. I’ve been bitten with the organization bug that seems to bite everyone this time of year. So when my newest Willow House product arrived in the mail, I knew exactly where I wanted to use it!
Say hello to my new bestie, her name is French Wire Tiered Stand, but you can call her Frenchie 🙂
Willow House Fall Catalog
The best thing about this tiered stand is that it gives you lots of options. It can be converted to a two-tiered stand or completely broken down for easy storage. You can use it for decorating (great table centerpiece), entertaining ( beautiful cupcake display), or for organizing. Obviously, I used it to organize. I finally found a purpose for the “desky” area of my kitchen.
Since we moved in last March I’ve been trying to decide what to do with this small area in my kitchen. Here it is photographed poorly back in September.
This seemed like the perfect place for incoming and outgoing mail. The above picture looks pretty clean, however mail, stamps, coupons, etc. were usually stuffed in there. While still under the adrenaline rush of extreme organizing and with the help of my friend Frenchie, I turned this little space into this.
I created a little mail/bill-paying/note-writing/coupon-saving/menu-keeping center! WAHOO! I’m kind of in love with this whole making-this-space-work-for-us thing we’ve got going on now! For months I was so stumped with how to use this area of kitchen. We’ve never had a “desky” area in a kitchen before (not in one of the previous 4 houses we’ve called home!). I guess that’s why I was kind of at a loss with what to do here. Now, we’re using this space as I think it was intended?
I took the top tier off so that Frenchie would fit under the cabinets. Then I cleaned out the 2 junk drawers below, and used an array of different glass containers to hold office supplies like paper clips, stamps, pencils, etc. I love those Maker’s Mark wax covered glasses – a little nod to the Bourbon loving state we call home! I also pulled my note pad and cards out of the junk drawer to make jotting down my lists and sending notes really simple and easy. Not having to dig around for these things in the junk drawer is pretty sweet (in my opinion) and the ol’ junk drawers have never looked so good.
I realize I won’t be winning any Martha Stewart organizing awards, but hey you didn’t see them before (it.was.bad.).
I used chalkboard place cards that I had picked up at Target months ago to label Incoming mail, Outgoing mail, and mail we need to Keep (like invitations). So, bills that need to be paid go into the incoming slot and then once they’re paid they go into the outgoing slot (I know – I’m a genius right?!). And, yes I pay almost all of my bills the old fashioned way; only a few things get paid online. Crazy to some I know, but that’s how I roll. Anyhow, keeping take-out menus easily accessible is so key 🙂 Also, love to have a place for incoming coupons that need to be filed away in my coupon folders (yeah- I’ve got coupon folders- don’t be a hater).
I used Command strips to attach the labels (I’m so in love with those things).
I’m using my Villa Stoneware Appetizer Tray (Willow House) for mail that has yet to be opened, our keys, and phones.
I picked this canvas up at Marshalls last week and I’m just playing with it here for now. It doesn’t really have a permanent home yet, but I loved the colors!
I’ve always been pretty good at keeping my mail/ bills under control, but this makes it that much easier and that much more organized. It’s easier to see when things are piling up and need to be addressed. Once bills are paid, I’m sort of forced to file the statement away in my filing cabinet because as you can see there is no label for “statements” here 🙂
So, what do you think of Frenchie? She has a few sisters – take a look.
French Wire Carousel Caddy – Willow House Spring Catalog
French Wire Plantholders – Willow House Fall Catalog
French Wire Convertible Basket – Willow House Spring Catalog
Have you been bitten buy the organizing bug? Any mail managing/ bill paying tips you’d like to share?
What a cute mail center!! Everything is super functional but {more importantly} so pretty! I have indeed been bit by the organizing bug. I just got done reorganizing my entire pantry. It looks a billion times better!
I could totally go for a double-double right about now. We used to live in Phoenix and would frequent In-N-Out a little too often 🙂
I love your mail center and the wire stand is adorable!!! Look how cute your profile pic is!!! Have a great Wednesday! XO Kristin
Your "desky" area looks great! Those built-ins are amazing! I also loved the wire caddy. I've also been bitten by the organizational bug, but haven't found the time to do it!
This looks awesome – great job! 🙂 I love it.
I like it! Mine would never stay that neat but I am working on setting up something similar in my kitchen! Thanks for the inspiration!
I love it, what a great idea Carmel! I am looking for some organization things for my daughters room, I am keeping that one in mind! Thanks! 🙂
Carmel, you have come up with some great ideas for organizing mail and everyday stuff. That looks so good. I love the wired pieces and the wall ones would be good to stick mail in too. Thanks so much for joining the party.
I have that same wire stand from Willow House. It was too tall for the space I wanted to use it in….I seriously, had no idea you could take it apart! Duh! I mean I put the darn thing together….how obvious is it that you can use the pieces seperately! LOL! Thanks the giving me "a clue"! I love your mail center!
It looks great in that spot. I love the tray and colorful canvas,too!:)
I love "frenchie", she is so versatile. Your mail area looks so organized and I love the colors in that canvas too.
great ideas!
Love it! I have this thing for cute desk areas…what a happy place for your mail to live!
You're so organized! Love that convertible basket or 2 or 3. 😉 lol All great ideas!
What a great use for Frenchie, she's pretty cute. Love the cubbies too.
Absolutely wonderful! I love it when beauty and function come together…don't you?! I love all of the wired pieces you featured…I can think of a million and one ways for their use!
Love love love!
Love your uses of our WH products!!! It looks great now! and some great ideas!! thanks!
Suzanne
Your new mail center is AMAZING! So organized but so pretty!
I'm your newest follower … Heading now to read older posts and learn more about you! 🙂
– Lauren
love this!! I have a similar space in our kitchen, but I'm trying to style it kind of as a butler's pantry (even though it's all open to the kitchen…) I think your apothecary jar with the lemons is just like the one I got for Christmas that I mentioned yesterday!! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by- your projects are all looking fabulous. Can you come organize my closet?? sheesh- your before pics look 100% better than anything I could come up with as 'after'!! ha ha!
Love it!! It looks great!! I found you from Kim at Savvy Southern Style. I am now your newest follower. Come check me out if you get a chance.
Thanks for all your sweet comments! Kim at Savvy Southern Style is so sweet for featuring me- I just love her blog!
xo- Carmel
I love that idea! I struggle with daily with where to put the mail. I have one place where I keep all my bills, but it is so NOT CUTE! That tray is a lovely solution!!!!
Carmel, I just LOVE your blog. How can I make sure I get an email everytime you do a new one?
What a cute mail center!! Everything is super functional but {more importantly} so pretty! I have indeed been bit by the organizing bug. I just got done reorganizing my entire pantry. It looks a billion times better!
I could totally go for a double-double right about now. We used to live in Phoenix and would frequent In-N-Out a little too often 🙂