Flea Market Workspace Solution for Small, High-Traffic Area

Have you ever thought about how to take advantage of those high-traffice areas, like hallways, that don't get used much other than getting from one room to another?

This is one of those spaces in our home. It is too narrow for a permanent piece of furniture, so it has just remained unused for the most part. 

Well, here is an idea I decided to try out...based upon a flea market find from a while back. Actually, it is an occasional sale purchase. 

See that galvanized metal box? I was told that it had something to do with dairy farms and receipts for the milk. It opens up like this...

...and you can store all kinds of things! Here are a few ideas:

note: postcards shown are from Amy at four corners design

4 IDEAS FOR REPURPOSING

A VINTAGE DAIRY RECEIPT BOX

1. STATIONERY STATION: Keep your stationery, greeting cards, postcards, pens, and postage in one area. Use it as a letter writing station.
2. BILL CENTER: Need to keep those bills organized? Store bills, the checkbook, pens, and a calculator. Use it as a bill paying center.
3. INSPIRATION BOARD: How about organizing all those magazine pages, room sketches, and other forms of inspiration in an uncluttered way? Sketch out your next inspired room or project.
4. KID'S PORTABLE ART DESK: Keep paper, scissors, etc. all in one place. Kids can create while it's hanging on the wall. OR grab it off the wall and take it portable!

Add a piece of artwork above.

Move in a stool from around the corner and, voila!, a usable workspace!

When not in use, it simply folds up and becomes part of the decor.

Do you have any other ideas for how this junk find could be used?