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    • I'm Christina, a full-time web developer with a dog sitting business, home renovations, and a blog on the side.

      This blog is about restoration and decorating of our houses, currently a 50s New England ranch, previously an MCM, and before that our Little Victorian...and the homemaking in between.

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Little Victorian

Modern Homemaking

Shred paper clutter, keep your house pretty

April 16, 2013 Decor, DIY, Homekeeping, Simplifying

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, we’re doing some major simplifying around our house.  One of the problems we’ve had over the years is stacks of paper.  Junk mail and non-junk mail and magazines will be piled up in at least three different places in the house.  Those stacks will get combined and make a giant stack that we’ll put off going through because it will take an hour.

 
When I made the mail holder from a cereal box, that became our bill organizer, so when bills come in the mail, they go directly into it.  We still had a problem with the rest of the mail and papers though.

I’ve read lots of suggestions to keep a garbage can by the front door so junk mail can go directly into it, but so much of our junk mail needs to be shredded first.

So, how could we keep a paper shredder at the front door and not let ruin the decor?

First thought, was of course, spray painting it.  But, while it wouldn’t have been as noticeable, it still would have looked like a paper shredder.  So, then I thought about wrapping it in fabric or twine (like this), but then we’d still have the issue of the plastic bag hanging out around the edges.  Ew.

We needed to hide the paper shredder.  A basket!  And just like that, I found this one at the thrift shop.  And it was the perfect size!  (You can get a similar one new for only $13.)  (Affiliate link.)

Small wicker hamper

Of course, I was hoping for rattan or seagrass or anything prettier than wicker, but I can’t always have everything.  Besides, it was only $6.  Immediately upon getting home, I spray painted it my favorite cool gold (the same as the lamps).

Painted wicker basket to hide paper shredder at front door | Little Victorian

Now, as soon as junk mail comes in the door, it goes straight into the shredder.

Small hamper to hide paper shredder | Little Victorian

When a catalog comes in, I flip through it right there at the front door.  If there is nothing I’m interested in, it goes into the basket to be recycled with the paper shreds at the end of the week.  If there is something I like, I take it straight to the computer, look up the item online, pin it to a Pinterest board and then recycle the catalog.

We’ve been using it for a week now, and there hasn’t been a stray piece of paper to be seen in the house.  Success!

Front door in living room | Little Victorian

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SUCCESS!

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  1. onshore

    April 16, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    That is genious! And the basket is a real beauty. I would have never guessed what is inside. We also have basket for magazines and non important mail in the entry. But some magazines tend to pile on surfaces.

    Reply
    • Christina

      April 17, 2013 at 1:21 am

      Thanks Leena! I love the wall mounted box you have to organize your mail.

  2. Rosa Paula

    April 16, 2013 at 9:50 pm

    Hi Christina!This is one smart idea!
    I’m already following you with bloglovin.
    Let’s stay in touch!
    Greetings from Brazil,
    Rosa
    PS: Where are you from? I’m asking because of your last name. It is royalty (or used to be) here in Brazil!

    Reply
    • Christina

      April 17, 2013 at 1:25 am

      Thank you Rosa!

      That is so interesting. My husband is actually from the royal line in France, we had no idea there was a royal line in Brazil with the same name.

  3. Storypiece

    April 16, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    Wow! That is a great find and a stylish solution. Love it and pinning it now. 🙂

    Reply
    • Christina

      April 17, 2013 at 1:29 am

      Glad you liked it!

  4. ruralurbanwi.com

    April 17, 2013 at 12:08 pm

    This is a great idea! I hate clutter and paper–great post!

    Reply
    • Christina

      April 19, 2013 at 2:29 pm

      Thanks Kelly! It feels so good to get rid of it immediately.

  5. Teresa

    May 6, 2015 at 8:11 am

    I’m not sure – buy some more stuff to hide the device to clear stuff. Well, it was second hand and looks good so kudos!

    I rip open the envelopes and other junk without my address on it and stick straight in the recycling. Then I put the addressed material – it’s usually only 1 or 2 pages a week in the shredder tray next door. The trick is to return all junk to sender so it decreases over time .

    Reply

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Before Footer

Instagram post 1954635154032227347_41625446 Update: the MCM is officially sold! We did eventually finish most of our restoration/renovation projects. I'll share the updates in the coming months as we get settled in to our new place. 😁
Instagram post 1936301391955267835_41625446 House update! The realtor is still confused about why "it's such a popular house." When she arrived yesterday for a showing, there were 8 cars in the driveway. 😃

We had three offers the first day, one of whom hadn't even seen the house in person yet.
Instagram post 1932692622239115367_41625446 Surprise! The house is going on the market today. (Long story that I'll fill you in on when I have more than 2 seconds.)
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But we're once again with a realtor that calls our house "unique" instead of calling it a Mid Century Modern. 🤦‍♀️
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We can't count how many locals came into this house and mentioned that those windows should be removed and walled up and the beams cut off. And then it would be a "normal" house. 🤯
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Still can't really identify with people in this area. 🤷‍♀️ SO happy to be going back home to the East coast TOMORROW!
Instagram post 1861928617807120725_41625446 Right? 
We're getting back into the house restoration and we'll be working on the powder room in the master bed. 
Guys. It's bad. Swipe to see.
And we're going to try to make it pretty with a super tiny budget of $100 in 4 weeks and we're joining the #100roomchallenge to keep us (me) motivated.
Instagram post 1771210588098165470_41625446 The bedroom design is starting to come together thanks to Craigslist and Goodwill. 
#OneRoomChallenge
Instagram post 1770640194664543996_41625446 Our poor aloe plant is so gnarly and gangly. But at least I haven't killed it in the last 4 years! Anyone know why it's growing so ugly? 
#oneroomchallenge #uglyplants #prettylamps
Instagram post 1769902316464548672_41625446 Roscoe got his (pretty bad) spring haircut today. Good thing he still has a gorgeous face. #baddogmom
Instagram post 1766833228649559910_41625446 When you try to comment on Instagram and your phone is sure you meant excrement instead of excellent.... #Lovely #ThanksPhone This picture isn't too lovely either, but I'm sharing it anyway.  It's the still-in-progress dog bed we made this week during the #OneRoomChallenge Details about it are on the blog!

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