Organizing with a Modern Tray

 

 

Here's another way I use modern trays in my home:  To organize my note pads, pens, tape dispenser, stapler and push pins.  I keep all of these things out in my dining room and it's totally ok because they are neat and contained.  An old blue mason jar holds my pens and scissors. A tiny vintage juice glass holds my push pins and I have the cheap plastic version of a lucite stapler and tape dispenser.  Vintage staplers are hard core, have stood the test of time and throw out lots of style. I could easily go there too.   Also paper, I love to scribble notes on paper, so having that readily available is important. Stacks of it. Come on people.     

 

Using a small vintage plate in a retro pattern to hold my business cards makes them feel like they are just hanging out ready to be served up. 

 

This arrangement actually changes all the time. But there it is, for now.  I had two lamps on this piece of furniture, but we let our friends bring their dog over, who chased our cat and now there is one lamp.  I will tell that story soon. It's a good one. 

 

 

 

 

 

Bright Colors, Found Ojects and Favorite Things

 

Organize a focal wall or entry space with a collection of objects and paint it a bright color.  Think of the design in three pieces. The main piece is the console table, here I used a vintage hairpin leg table. The second piece is the space above the console table, the wall space, which I filled with my growing collection of black and white photos, some are old and some are new.  The third piece is the space underneath the console, ottomans are the best for this space as they are both decorative and useful.  I can pull the ottomans out and use them anywhere around the room. 

 

 I gathered up similar objects from around my house. Glass, coral and succulents make up the majority of items. I tried for mostly green objects as a contrast to the teal wall, but ended up with one large teal statement piece as well. Black acts as the neutral that brings it all together.     
 

 

The middle photos are some of my favorites. They are original photographs of my grandfather posing with models for an eye glass marketing campaign. He was an actual salesman in the company and someone whom I never got to meet.  Since I am using a mix of old and new frames the trick is striking the right balance. The Goodwill or other thrift stores is a great place to get old frames. Look for frames with clean lines and a little texture. Stay away from anything ornate or decorative as that can look messy and be distracting.

 

 

There is so much industrial vintage out there. Start mixing it in. I love these old frogs in a rustic green metal. And a stack of design books with a lamp on top, gave me that little bit of height that I needed.

  So take your boring entry way with it's coat racks, key holders and safe wall color and give it a little pizazz.  Steal objects from other parts of your home and combine them in a different way to make them new again.  Think bright colors, found objects and favorite things.  You'll be greeted with something both lovely and functional.  

A Vintage Lunch Tray Get Together

Let's do a get together of vintage lunch trays from Etsy.  These are a great way to organize small things like paper clips, push pins, pencils and post it notes.  If you were to organize your desk drawer with one,  there could be a slap of color and a pop of wow as you searched for those boring, oh so useful, paperclips.  Better yet, leave it out on your desk, be like my husband, easy to find, easy to grab.  While doing this, you'll be a little bit less stressed and a tiny bit cooler.  Oh you!

Check out these vintage Yellow serving trays from Amelia Bedelia Vintage.

And these incredible red and turquoise trays from Arks Endeavor.





Better yet, go for the industrial look and pick up some aluminum ones over at The Relic Trail.

My new favorite color, a true mid century classic, turquoise.  Brought to you by Lare Furbish. 

Finally, this structured US Military mess tray is a must have for the truely organized in you. Shop Via Olivia now.

 

Organizing for Two

When I set out to organize my husband it came with many, many, many changes along the way.  He wants everything out in the open, easy to grab and easy to see.  I am the complete opposite.  I want everything put away that isn't pretty to look at.  I love to stuff things in drawers, closets and our basement!  Do you have a basement? They are awesome!

 Below you'll find the ways we conquered this design organization dilemma so that we are both happy. 

First, I used a nightstand as the end table between the sofa and the man chair.  This one was perfect because it has a drawer and a shelf.  The shelf holds his computer when it's not in use and it's easy for him to grab when he sits down to watch TV.

The drawer is perfect for all the nick knacks this man has.  Cords to this device and that.  A USB storage device, pens, notepads, matches, you name it it's in there.

The magazine holder, a fantastic find from Target that holds books, magazines and papers he is currently reading.
 

The fun colorful tray from West Elm holds all FOUR remotes that are essential to a happy man and his television. It also holds a box of tissue (another requirement) and a pretty vase (that's for me).  I've yet to get the white lacquer tissue box so I left it out completely. I want one like this. 
West Elm carries the best lacquer trays, my favorite size are the square ones.  Check them out here.

So there you have it.  Remotes, magazines, papers, books, computer and miscellaneous stuff all contained AND easy to grab.  No easy feat.  The beautiful part is that when you slide the chair over, you can't see the shelf or the magazine holder. And that my friends, makes for a happy wife.

Do you and your partner have any design disagreements?