D.C.-Themed Organizers

This are things that could be hung near a door and used to hold mail, gloves, hats, coats, keys, dog leashes or whatever. I was inspired by something I had seen at an arts and crafts street sale in downtown D.C., but my design is considerably different. Two D-rings are attached to the back, so all you need to hang one in your home is a hammer and a couple of nails. Organize things and show your D.C. spirit!

I make these out of reclaimed pallet wood. I intentionally cut the planks to a length that includes the rustic nail holes or nail heads. I use a belt sander and hand sanding to clean and smooth the wood. The planks are attached to a backing piece of underlayment with glue and (sometimes) screws. The pocket shelf is also attached with screws. If any planks are warped, I'll use a router to cut grooves in the back, which helps to make them glue flat. I use a Dremel 4300 to carve the outline of the District and add black paint in the groove for a greater contrast with the background. I buy the D.C. flag license plates online (flagsgeorgia.com) and attach them to the box with little nails. I use oil-rubbed bronze hooks (from my local Ace Hardware store) to complement the other black tones of the piece. I can crank out more on a custom basis. Modifications can include vertical backing planks, different color stain (or even paint), or different hardware. Or, hey, if you have your own actual D.C. license plate, I could use that.

D.C.-Themed Organizer #5

Dimensions: Height, 20.75 inches; Width, 15 inches; Depth 4 inches; the box is 11x5.5x3 inside; Weight 6 pounds. This one is made of reclaimed poplar pallet wood—four wide planks. To bring out the wood’s natural grain tone and pattern I applied Watco Danish Oil, but no polycrylic. $125. Click here to purchase.

D.C.-Themed Organizer #4

Dimensions: Height, 20.75 inches; Width, 15 inches; Depth 4 inches … box is 12x6 (inside is 11x5.5x3; Weight 7 pounds. This one is made of reclaimed red oak pallet wood—four wide planks. To bring out the wood’s natural grain tone and pattern I applied Watco Danish Oil, but no polycrylic. $125. Click here to purchase.

D.C.-Themed Organizer #3

Sold at a neighborhood art show. Dimensions: Height 20 inches, Width 15.5 inches, Depth 3.25 inches, Interior size of license plate box is 5.5 x 10.5 x 2.5, Weight 5 pounds. $125. This one is made out of leftover pine lumber. I stained the wood “Red Mahogany” by Minwax and finished it with Minwax water-based clear satin Polycrylic.

D.C.-Themed Organizer #2

Sold at a neighborhood art show. Dimensions: Height 20 inches, Width 15.5 inches, Depth 3.25 inches, Interior size of license plate box is 5.5 x 10.5 x 2.5, Weight 5 pounds. This one is made out of leftover pine lumber. I stained the wood “Sedona Red” by Minwax, to complement the red of the D.C. flag, and finished it with Minwax water-based clear satin Polycrylic.

D.C.-Themed Organizer #1

Sold at a neighborhood art show. Dimensions: Height 20.5 inches, Width 17.75 inches, Depth 4 inches, Interior size of license plate pocket box is 5.5 x 11 x 3.25 inches, Weight 7.5 pounds. This one is made out of reclaimed oak pallet wood, stained with “Sedona Red” by Minwax to complement the red of the D.C. flag, and finished with Minwax water-based clear satin Polycrylic.

“Before” Pictures from the organizers shown above

Related Items: Small and Large D.C. Home Signs; State-Themed Organizers; Shelf and Five Double Hooks with Reclaimed Wood Top; Mirror, Shelf and Hooks on Reclaimed Shutters; Pin Board with Drawers and Pegs; Black Wire Storage Bins and Hooks with Reclaimed Wood Back and Top.