Home » Projects » Rustic Key & Sunglasses Holder

Rustic Key & Sunglasses Holder

Our keys and sunglasses were becoming regular loiterers on our kitchen counter; frankly, they needed a home of their own.

So, we put our heads together, found some inspiration via Pinterest, and came up with this lil do-dad – – a Mark and Lauren Incorporated creation:

Rustic Key & Sunglasses Holder via The Thinking Closet
Our completed key & sunglasses holder.

I’m really pleased with how it turned out.  It’s not only cute, but functional!

SUPPLIES:  I picked up the unfinished wood picture frame at Hobby Lobby for under $10 with a coupon.  I got the hooks there for a few bucks, as well, and distressed them using a black sharpie and some wood stain (you’d never guess they were originally shiny gold!).  The wooden pencil was a gift from my Mom to Mark for Christmas one year; we thought it just matched too perfectly not to join the party.  So, we found a spot for it, securing it with a nail.

Rustic wooden pencil - secured with an antique nail - via The Thinking Closet

The nails are a little more “limited edition”…from the 1870s, in fact!  Mark refinished an antique wooden trunk last year and kept some of the square nails for such a time as this.  I’m so glad he did; they add so much character and history to our key and sunglasses holder.

Antique square nails circa 1870 via The Thinking Closet

Behind the glass is a photo Mark took at Silver Springs in Ocala, Florida, his hometown.  We thought the chain link fit in with the rustic motif and provide a perfect backdrop in front of which our keys could hang.

Rustic Key & Sunglasses Holder via The Thinking Closet
We chose an image that wouldn’t be distracting.

It’s mounted on the side of one of our kitchen cabinets, conveniently located by the front door, so we can grab and go!  And whipped together in under an hour thanks to teamwork.  Now, that’s my kind of project.

Rustic Key & Sunglasses Holder - Grab n' Go! - via The Thinking Closet

Blog Divider - The Thinking Closet

Here’s where I link up.

| |

40 Comments

  1. What a great idea, we have the same issue and I hate all the stuff on our counter. I think hubby has 3 watches sitting on our kitchen counter along with all the keys, glasses, and other misc. junk. I pinned this so I could remember to make something like this after we move, but Id make mine more modern looking…thanks for the idea! BTW, found you from the 30 minutes or less craft link up.

    1. Glad to know I’m not alone in our crowded counter woes! Excited that you’re gearing up for a move (I know how stressful that can be – – take frequent breaks and Starbucks runs). I’d love to see a more modern rendition of this project. If you do end up making one, let me know! I’d love to see pics.

  2. So smart! Our keys hang on little hooks by the door, but my sunglasses just live in my purse right now. I figure I won’t be going outside without my purse, but they get kinda banged up in there. This is so much better! Thanks for sharing this at The CSI Project!

    1. Yes, my sunglasses were getting quite the scratches rattling around in my purse. It really has helped to have a home base for them…especially now that we’re in a FL and sunglasses are a necessity year round.

        1. Ha! Love that hashtag. Yeah, it was a new concept to me, and I still forget sometimes that I need to grab my sunglasses before leaving the house most days…even in winter! We look forward to having you visit and getting some use out of YOUR sunglasses.

  3. Great idea — love that you found a good use for those square nails and used other things that were meaningful to you. Makes a house a home! thanks so much for sharing on Busy Monday!

  4. Pretty cute, and functional, all in one! One thing I know I never know where my keys are or my sunglasses! Maybe I should make one for us! Thanks for sharing your inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you helped make the party a success!

  5. I recognize that lil’ field hockey stick key chain! That brings me back to our high school days, and you driving Vicki.
    What an awesome creation you two made! I’ve thought several times now, how perfect it is to have Mark’s input/collaboration while doing these projects. He’s quite a craft-o-teer himself!

    1. Love that you saw the field hockey stick; it has somehow survived all these years through many cars!

      Mark lol’d when I read him your comment with the new nickname. And it’s true–I would be lost without him and his power tools and photography skills. Neat how God worked that all out.

  6. So creative and functional. Love that you worked on it collaboratively. The nails are a great addition and I would never have thought to use a marker on the gold hooks! Nice touch including that pencil! <3

    1. We each contributed ideas along the way to improve the project, proving once again that two heads are better than one. And yes, Mark uses those wood pencils you got him all of the time for his woodworking projects. You’re a great gifter!

      1. Aww…, thanks. I think those pencils were from Lake Placid…or at least I like to think so. However, it’s possible I found them as a little treasure at Marshall’s! 🙂

        You and Mark are a great team in so many ways!

Your comments make my day!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *