Sophisticated Storage Solutions
A fresh new year offers a clean slate and a chance to re-arrange. Organization may be one of the only resolutions that won’t deprive us of a few happy indulgences. It also it makes for easier daily routines. The key to a mess-free existence is selecting vessels and compartments that achieve a natural rhythm within the home.
Beautiful objects that elevate a room’s design will go much farther than a shelf’s worth of canvas bins. PAGODA RED manager Michael Keeley has a few suggestions for pieces that spirit away the clutter but remain elegantly in plain view.
Trunks: Storage and Surface Area Combined
Black Lacquer Oval Keeper’s Trunk
Trunks are the ultimate catchall. Their classic design reminds us that the need for extra space has been a concern for centuries. Use one in the living room to make quick hiding places for throws, catalogs and remotes.
Trunks also provide additional surface space. Use one as a coffee table or end table to set down drinks and small bites. In an alcove or along a wall, substitute a trunk for a console table and pile on books or blankets for a cozy, eclectic look.
The double-duty nature of a trunk is ideal for any room short on square footage. Feature them length-wise or width-wise, use them in place of a nightstand, dress them up with lamps or accessories or allow their true character to shine through uninterrupted.
Boxes: Stow-Away Spots for Keys, Tech & Cords
“I keep a treasure box on my kitchen counter. It covers an electrical outlet and holds all of my chargers, iPhone and laptop,” says Keeley. A place for everything includes all manner of cables and tech. A decorative box keeps things under control, while remaining close at hand.
Select a box with depth for larger, awkward-sized items, and don’t forget the powder room. Having an elegant holder for extra tissues and toilet paper is a chic way to invite a pretty antique into a functional room. PAGODA RED’s painted treasure box features a raised design, which contrasts with the strong edges of a bathroom countertop.
Fine Hide Covered Presentation Box
Positioning a container in an entryway or on a frequently-used counter is a good reminder to keep keys and tech in an easy-to-find spot. Not to mention the impact of mixing ancient and modern styles. “These old pieces look so beautiful on a marble counter top,” Keeley says.
Rice Measures: Practical and Portable
Designed to withstand the weight and heavy labor of transporting grain, our Dou Rice Measures are over one hundred years old, which means they can take on anything the 21st century throws their way. Keeley suggests using these vessels to chase after kids and pets. A trail of small toys is easily managed with these pieces, as the strong, sturdy handles make them easy to move. The solo host in need of a spare set of hands can also use a rise measure as a caddy for carrying napkins, flatware and glasses outside when entertaining. Or use them as a sweet guestroom welcome: either bedside for magazines and newspapers, or in bathrooms to tote a selection of soaps, towels and sundries.
Containers and Dishes: Open-Ended Organization
Inkstone with Bat and Double Gourds
Sometimes storage isn’t about secrets and concealment. Shallow stone dishes organize paperclips and miscellaneous goods in the office, as do containers for pens and letter-openers.
When the paperwork is impossible to hide, a beautiful antique touch like a glazed porcelain head rest or bowl becomes both paperweight and decoration. Choosing items that are consistent in theme and color can turn that chaotic mess of a desk into a style moment.
Our green ceramic fan-shaped dish feels like the ultimate vanity table landing place for rings and other daily baubles that tend to go missing. Similarly, a fan form bat tray or wooden scholar’s tray are masculine stand-ins for a valet, catching watches and cufflinks effortlessly.
Thanks, Michael Keeley, for the elegant organizing advice. For more ideas, browse PAGODA RED’s vases and vessels.
