Modern mail box DIY

[grovetsly]

One of the common themes I noticed at this years mid-century modern home tour were the ugly mail boxes. It seemed to me that the mail boxes were an after thought or no thought at all by the homeowners. Modern mail boxes are expensive found on various websites. I didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars, but my allied home also needed a mailbox makeover. So I set out to make one for under $20. This is the final result.
Made from:

(1) existing ugly mail box and I painted it red.
(2) (4) 3/4 emt pipes $3.85 each at Lowes.
(3) 5/16 bolts. (free had on hand)

Let me know if you guys want to know I put it together.

[IbModSteve]

Is it not somewhat reckless to rant about people's choices and priorities, then to slapstick something together proclaiming design? As a fellow DYI'r I commend your efforts, but think certain things are left to the pros. Please dont take offense, just couldn't bite my tongue.

ps you forgot to include the costs for the red paint job!

[Modman]

Kudos on the creative mailbox make over! I agree, many great houses, modern or not, are ruined by poor mailbox choices. Anyone that does not think your design is attractive is probably just jealous they didn't think of it themselves.

[mollygrue]

Kudos on the creative mailbox make over! I agree, many great houses, modern or not, are ruined by poor mailbox choices. Anyone that does not think your design is attractive is probably just jealous they didn't think of it themselves.

I get that you're trying to be nice, but I don't think insulting people who may disagree with you is the best way to go about it.
In fact, constructive criticism is actually nicer than blanket praise. Telling someone they did the best job possible leaves no room for growth, insight, or improvement only stagnation. You only try harder when you think you didn't get it right the first time.

I honestly don't get why screwing a metal pole to something makes it modern, but to each his own. Better than any mailbox I've ever made, but I still wouldn't buy it in a store. It looks a little rough around the edges from a design standpoint to me.

[Modman]

What does your mailbox look like?

Why don't you re-read the entire thread from the beginning and then re-evaluate your response to my post. For less than 20 bucks, he has the coolest mailbox for blocks around. Perhaps if everyone posts snarky responses to the proud efforts of modernist DIYers, then no one will want to share any of their ideas for fear of ridicule and we will have nothing left to look at on this message board.

[mollygrue]

What does your mailbox look like?

Why don't you re-read the entire thread from the beginning and then re-evaluate your response to my post. For less than 20 bucks, he has the coolest mailbox for blocks around. Perhaps if everyone posts snarky responses to the proud efforts of modernist DIYers, then no one will want to share any of their ideas for fear of ridicule and we will have nothing left to look at on this message board.

I have, and I don't much think it matters what my mailbox looks like. I do think it matters that I don't go around telling everyone that doesn't like my mailbox that they're jealous of me. Rather than just being snarky (for giving an honest opinion?), that would make me a, ahhem, real pleasure to be around. <grin>

[IbModSteve]

The OP(original poster) and modman missed the point. You cant start your post by ridiculing people's decisions for items they choose for their homes, then follow with a project that looks like it was done in 15 minutes. I would have never replied if the OP had simply posted a pic of something he created. I just have a tough time staying quiet as someone blasts peoples work with one hand, and uses the other hand to slap garbage together. I would hope that someone who had what it took to post such comments on a public board, can take a few words of criticism. Creating something original does not instantly certify the project as good, quality, and DEFINITELY not modern. Some people get it, some dont. Cheers!

Some help. This is an AWESOME DIY. This mailbox is def the coolest for MILES AROUND!
http://retrorenovation.com/2012/04/30/diy-midcentury-modern-mailbox-post-and-address-sign-gabe-explains-how/

[grovetsly]

To that individual(s) who thought my mailbox was half ass done I would like to respond. I spent a great deal of time thinking about the design. I had a very limited budget. I didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars when I could design my own for under $20 with the materials I already had. It took me a good weekend on that project. If you don't like it than maybe you should give constructive criticism instead. How can improve on it?

My rant about other(s) mail box at the home tour was perhaps not pertaining to yours. But I did notice some that could have used a makeover. When one drives by a house the first thing (I) usually notice are the mailboxes because it is (to me) the first thing that makes a bold statement about the home one lives in. It was not meant to be a harsh comment, but as an observation.

I am discourage from posting on this site because of comments like this. Please provide constructive criticism instead of hurtful comments.

[IbModSteve]

The beauty of design; its in the eye of the beholder. I know that EVERY person on that home tour thought through every detail of their homes five times over, and you know what, I didnt love a lot of what I saw. But thats ok, because I LOVE MINE. Just like you should love yours and your mail box. I have made plenty of things that I love to death, that would make other people cringe.

I do hope you understand, and I do want to offer an apology for my comments. As I am preaching, I need to give you the courtesy that you also love and thoroughly thought through you mailbox. I do hope that you continue to contribute to the modPHX community.

_Steve_

[dimone2]

I'm just happy it generated some traffic on this forum.

[schadenfreude]

*sniff* I'm going to have to go home and give my eyesore of a mailbox a big hug.

Personally, my #1 priority in a mailbox is security. #2 is also security. Aesthetics are a distant #3. To be fair, my mailbox is not directly in front of my house, but rather across the street. I did, however, attempt to make it look reasonably cool by mounting a super-duper Fort Knox lockdown style box between two columns of cinder block painted to match the house's accent color. It's not the snazziest thing in the world, but it does the trick and cost less than $75.