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We are here to offer advice on storage for small accessories at home. Specifically, we will be discussing the usefulness of trays. I must confess, I have a bit of an addiction to buying trays. Whenever something in my home stays still for too long, you can bet I’ll find a way to incorporate a tray. Why? Well, trays are not only affordable and easy to find, but they also provide an opportunity to add a layer of color and pattern between surfaces and objects. Not to mention, trays are incredibly practical for keeping groups of objects organized.
As I write this, I am preparing for a trip to Venice. While I am excited about the food and sights, I am most looking forward to exploring the city’s selection of stationery and small treasures. Luckily, there are plenty of online options for finding these unique items. One brand I recommend is Compton Marbling, which offers hexagonal trays covered in hand-marbled paper, as well as pen pots and letter trays.
If a messy desk is your issue, I suggest considering stylish organizational solutions. One of my favorites is the Silene desk tray by Ettore Sottsass, available at Choosing Keeping. This tray, made in collaboration with MaruTomi in Japan, is crafted from dense melamine and features a glossy black and burgundy surface. Sottsass is renowned for his work with the Milan-based design and architecture group Memphis during the 1980s. The Silene tray, now discontinued, has become somewhat of a collector’s item.
Choosing Keeping also offers other unique storage solutions. One item that caught my eye is the “Flex-i-file,” an aluminium document collator patented in Virginia in 1941. This architectural object is not only beautiful, but it also has 10 segments that can hold multiple magazines and files. It would also make for a fantastic letter holder near the front door.
Another retailer to consider is Objects of Use, based in Oxford but also available online. They offer a range of useful household items that have a playful touch. Think unexpected colored kitchen enamelware, pencils, and soaps with charming packaging. I especially love their woven baskets made from strips of pine from Estonia. These baskets are perfect for trips to the market or even everyday tasks around the house.
Don’t forget to check out Present & Correct in London. The founders, both graphic designers, travel the world to source unique stationery and objects. Their online and physical store in Bloomsbury houses items from over 18 countries. I’m particularly fond of their Color Block Storage, a Bauhaus-inspired set featuring a transparent box and seven individual containers of different sizes in eye-catching colors. It’s perfect for storing small odds and ends or even jewelry.
For those seeking a more luxurious option, Smythson offers elegant jewelry boxes made from Italian leathers. These boxes feature drawers lined with nubuck and come in various shapes, sizes, and finishes. Some even have removable trays and crocodile-embossed leather covers.
If you’re looking for larger storage options with small compartments for accessories, consider campaign furniture. This type of furniture was initially designed for military campaigns but is now popular for its practicality. Currently, Drew Pritchard has a stunning 19th-century campaign dressing chest for sale. It includes a built-in tray, mirror, and multiple compartments, with many of the original fittings intact.
Finally, don’t overlook vintage and antique boxes, caddies, and other storage solutions for small items. I have always had a soft spot for old colored glass boxes. Guinevere in London offers a fantastic selection of 20th-century Murano glass boxes in delicious hues like lemon, mint green, and tangerine. They even have some stunning uranium glass versions that feature a unique shade of yellow-green. I would love to have a collection of these boxes at home, as they would beautifully catch the sunlight. As for what to store in them, the options are endless – from bonbons to junk shop brooches to Agatha Christie-style smelling salts.
If you have any design or stylish living questions, feel free to email me at [email protected] or follow me on Instagram @lukeedwardhall. Be sure to follow @FTProperty on X or @ft_houseandhome on Instagram to stay updated on our latest stories.
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