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Look!: Vintage Mail Caddy as Shoe Organizer

092608shoe-03.jpgWe are continually on a quest for amazing shoe storage options. While new products promise to store all 25 + pairs of our shoes, they always seem out of touch with our decor--until now...

 
 

We just got around to reading our August issue of Domino Magazine and spotted this vintage caddy that was once used to store mail and keys. We absolutely love how this family has incorporated shoe storage in their entryway. Because we have very little closet space in our 1950s apartment, we think a smaller version of this would translate great in another room (where there actually is room) for a vintage piece like this.

Related Shoe Storage Posts

[Image from Domino Magazine]

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Look!, organizing, domino magazine, mail caddy, vintage shoe organizer

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Comments (25)

ever since i saw this piece in Domino, i've been on the prowl for a caddy like this. I think it is genius. if anyone knows where i can buy it, let me know :)

posted by elinka189 on September 26th 2008 at 7:48am
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This would be perfect for the wine cellar of my dreams...

posted by wendi_c on September 26th 2008 at 7:48am
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This is gorgeous, I'd love one! Indeed it would be awesome for wine bottle too!

posted by michpc on September 26th 2008 at 8:04am
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I love the caddy, but I probably wouldn't use it for shoe storage. I would prefer something more pleasing to the eye.

posted by suzy8track on September 26th 2008 at 8:13am
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Man, I wish I had the space for that. Anyone have any creative ideas for storing shoes in a tiny apartment with little storage?
I can only fit 7-8 pairs on the built in shoe rack in the back of my closet and right now I have the rest taking up precious space in the high cabinet of my closet. It looks messy and it's hard to reach (I have to stand on my tiptoes and take the shoes down in order to see them... and then decide which ones I'm looking for :P).

I've pared down my shoes quite a bit, only keeping the ones I wear most often and the ones that are pretty, but I still have more than 7-8.

posted by sparkle on September 26th 2008 at 8:18am
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so funny, i found one of these on the street when i was moving a few months ago, and did the exact same thing:

http://flickr.com/photos/24kgldfce/2662869746/in/set-72157604049546931/

i've been looking for some good, inexpensive small boxes to fit in as storage, but the wine idea is genius!

posted by KEEHNAN on September 26th 2008 at 8:24am
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oh my god! it's EXACTLY what i need...

posted by jessicaabroad on September 26th 2008 at 8:30am
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Sparkle-

I have the same problem too! My apartment is about 200 square feet, and there is only one pint sized closet. I have an over-the-door shoe rack on the outside and boots line the closet floor. The whole thing looks terrible and the rack is cheap and breaks all the time.
Shoes take up a ton of space. I would love to hear some more creative storage ideas.

posted by alli(oop) on September 26th 2008 at 8:32am
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I'm sorry, but this is ridiculous. Noone wants to see a shoe collection centerpiece. The furniture is nice, but the use is trashy.

posted by mharwitt on September 26th 2008 at 8:35am
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Chicken Coop Creations creates similar pieces.

http://chickencoopcreations.com/index.html

posted by I Love Upstate on September 26th 2008 at 8:44am
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Alli(oop):
200 sq feet. *dies*

OMG I couldn't do 200 sq feet. I live in a one bedroom 800 sq feet. And it is a perfect fit. I guess we do it a little bigger in Texas. :)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE old mail room caddies like above. I've been wanting one for a year now. My mom nearly bought me one at an antique auction, but since she couldn't get intouch with me she let it go. I about died. It went for $300.

posted by kambykitten on September 26th 2008 at 8:49am
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I've been look for shoe cabinets for the past 4 years. But the only ones I find that would seem suitable, are the custom ones made for Japanese homes.

I think they are called getabako , they are only for shoes, so the shelves are closer together and usually have sliding doors.

Since I couldn't find one with sliding doors, I used some billy shelves from ikea and are going to put some sliding panels to cover them up. It's working out quite well(:

posted by madamelai on September 26th 2008 at 9:04am
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I've been looking*

but the only ones I found*

ooops

posted by madamelai on September 26th 2008 at 9:05am
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I like the cabinet, but this looks like ass. The shoes don't look very tidy, and most of them don't fit in the spaces. It would make a great wine rack.

I like shoes in a closet or at least a space where the whole world can't see the state of my insoles.

posted by Palmetto on September 26th 2008 at 9:28am
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This is a good find. While visiting an Arab family in Bahrain, I noticed they had something very similar in a large shoe closet room near the main entry of their home.

As you may know, in the Arab culture, many take off their shoes before entering the home. Here at this closet a servant would take the shoes and clean then each time before placing them into their proper place.

posted by worldtraveler22 on September 26th 2008 at 9:39am
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Oooh, good call on the Getabako, if you have the entry space, that seems like a great idea.

Kambykitten - yes, getting adjusted in my 200sf apt has been a challenge. A part of me actually did die ; ) when I first moved in. I'm thinking about entering the next smallest, coolest apartment contest...

I've got the small part down! Now just have to get the cool part ; )

posted by alli(oop) on September 26th 2008 at 9:43am
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Wow, I feel like an idiot. I inherited one of these from my Nana last year and it's been sitting in my garage while I think of a use for it.

Now I know what to do!

posted by grngodes on September 26th 2008 at 9:50am
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I love this! But I agree with many people above that maybe shoe storage isn't the best use for it. Maybe a wine rack, like Palmetto suggested above.
As for shoe storage, if you'd like, you check out my solution using some very cheap MDF boards and recycled toilet paper cardboard cylinders:
http://fashionarchitect.blogspot.com/2008/09/shoelution.html

posted by lopi. on September 26th 2008 at 10:14am
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I have one that is the perfect width for wine bottles and the perfect height for CDs. Its great!

posted by planaria on September 26th 2008 at 10:17am
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Why is it that most of the posts this week have featured magazine stuff I've already read?

posted by madampince on September 26th 2008 at 10:31am
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This makes me want to go bowling.

posted by Seaside on September 26th 2008 at 11:00am
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alli(oop), I feel your pain! I just moved into an under 300 sq ft apartment and am slowly starting to realize that it's gonna be a tough change.
Once I finish unpacking I'm gonna have to get REAL creative with organizing and storage.

posted by sparkle on September 26th 2008 at 12:36pm
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Re: small space shoe storage. I have a friend who lined the very tops of her office walls with shelving about 12"-15" below the ceiling, and used those shelves to store boots, lots and lots of boots. She's got a tiny Manhattan apartment, and therefore a tiny tiny office, but it works. There's nothing going on up there anyway, and you don't see it from a distance because, well, the office is only about 6' across.

posted by Jezebella on September 26th 2008 at 12:45pm
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Good one!

a slotted shoe shelf is a common sight outside any temple in India. I mentioned it to a friend here in the US and she came up with this mail box idea for her apt...actualy works great!..icing on the cake..her mail slotter was free!

posted by susrith on August 27th 2009 at 10:11am
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I found 2 of these in New York recently. Pics:

http://renovationtherapyblog.com/?p=5467

Email me if you want the contact info for the stores I found them in.

posted by I Love Upstate on September 22nd 2009 at 8:03pm
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