COAT TREES

by Joseph Davis
ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR TREE?
COAT TREE THAT IS...
Some of you may not even know what a coat tree is! 
It's a "stand" that's been used for centuries for hanging coats on when a closet wasn't an option. 

Clothes closets are a late 19th century invention. Until then, most clothes were kept in a "chifforobe" which was a large cabinet with a few drawers and some long hanging space for about 5 garments which was all concealed behind doors.  Now that that we're all so freekin' high-tone and "continental" it's what we now call an armoire...
Closets didnt evolve into what people actually needed until the 1980's when everyone finally realized they were suffering from "compulsive shopping disorder."  Yes YOU!...
By the mid 20th century coat trees then took on a rather "Grapes-of-Wrath" look, no one wanted to use them as they looked like poor peoples furniture (gasp!) and clothes were to be hidden in the new "built-in" closets.  Now, our unabated collecting leaves us with so much shit that our bulging closets need relief, a coat tree can help with that...
I think they're one of the simplest and best things in the world as they have numerous uses in zillions of situations. They're portable and require no "LTR" (long term commitment) by screwing it to a wall and messing up the wallpaper!

In the groovy 60's and 70's my mom used one (which she painted "antiqued" blue) to hang her long, colorful necklaces, beads and embroidered or macrame belts on.

They can be fun too, a coat rack in the shape of a tree acts as a piece of art.  Look for a one that suits the design and character of your home; modern, funky, colorful, sleek, etc.  Even when it is not in use, a "tree form" coat rack will make a visual statement.

HERE'S A FEW POSSIBLE USES FOR A COAT TREE IN YOUR HOME!
FOYER
  • Use it for your everyday coats, so you don't have to hang up and pull out the same coat three times a day leaving the other things in the closet all yanked around.
  • Keep the winter scarves on it instead of a heap on the closet shelf.
  • Put the kids coats on it, its easy for them because they cant reach the hangers on closet poles.
  • Use one for company; keep it in the garage and when you're expecting guests (especially on rainy or snowy days) they can all be kept off the floor or guest room bed, and out of your already overburdened (dry) coat closet.


KITCHEN
  • Use one for aprons and dish towels.
  • Keeping that old sweater u like to use in your kitchen when working in there.
  • Hang ropes of garlic, dried peppers and other herbs on it. Make a vignette of it.
  • Attach smaller hooks onto the pole and hang your pots, pans and lids on it if you don't have enough cabinet space.

(love these made from old porch posts)
LAUNDRY ROOM
  • Hang clothes on hangers on it to drip-dry.
  • Hang the few pieces that didn't dry completely.
  • Hang several mesh bags with rags, polishing cloths and other household cloths in them.
  • Hang mesh bags with household laundry in them (whites, colors, etc).
  • It's a place for a housekeeper or worker to keep their coat, purse, etc.
  • God knows there's gonna be shit in the laundry room to hang up...

(the one on the far right folds up easily to be stored away, bring it out only when u need it!)
BATHROOM
  • Perfect for children's towels. No need to worry about how tidy they look, they're draped on a peg not wadded over a towel bar.
  • Perfect for hangin' those huge-ass "bath sheets" on to dry, because ain't no towel bar big enough...
  • Good in shared baths as house-guests can hang their clothes/robes on them when showering.
  • Make a pretty corner ensemble/display with a few kooky hats, fresh towels, an extra roll of toilet paper and a sachet...voila, chic-o-matic!

(These contemporary ones become sculptural when bare)
DRESSING ROOMS    
  • Hang your ties, each peg a specific color.
  • Hang your long beads, necklaces and belts - no more tangles.
  • Hang handled pocketbooks on it, no more junked up shelves or piles kept in Tupperware bins.
  • Cover it with all kinds of hats and make a pretty display.
  • Men's hats are also hard to store, this is the perfect solution
  • Pashmina's, scarves and sash's.
  • The clothes you want to wear again but don't want to hang back up...(which I do all the time).
  • Your "around-the-house" sweats and T's.
  • Negligee's, robes, boa's and other night clothes that are used often...  

(These old fashioned type are inexpensive and blend in any decor)

NURSERY
  • Baby's nursing towels.
  • Diaper bag(s)
  • Baby's changing blanket.
  • Baby's puke towel.
  • Baby's binkie.
  • Bags with fresh diapers.
  • Hang toys or playthings.
  • When an adult or nurse visit the nursery they can hang their jacket or sweater on it.
  • Just hang LOTS of fresh towels that are in easy, immediate reach...you'll need them.

    (These colorful ones add character to a kids room; buy an unpainted one and paint it to match the rooms decor!)
    KIDS ROOM
    • Create an easy way for kids to keep their rooms tidy, hanging on a coat tree is easy!
    • They can keep their jackets on it.
    • Their book bags and backpacks can be hung on it.
    • They can hang their clothes on it for school tomorrow or a special activity.
    • They can hang their tennis racquets and lacrosse sticks and jump-ropes on it.
    • Hang mesh laundry bags for them to put their stuff directly in then instead of the floor.
    • Hang their belts and ties on if they wear a uniform to school.

    POOL AREA
    • Perfect for hanging pool towels on, it lets the air circulate and they dry faster than when wadded up in a ball in the back of a chair.
    • Hang wet bathing suits on it to dry.
    • Hang clothes on when skinny dipping with your neighbors... (eeeewwww!!!)


    MUDROOM
    • The everyday coats and scarves.
    • Umbrellas and canes.
    • Shopping bags holding those things that need to be returned because Jenny Craig didn't work...
    • Kids backpacks are kept handy and off the floor.
    • Baseball caps for bad-hair-day dashes to the 7-11
    • The jacket for Sunday morning bagel & NYT's runs.
    • Hang the dog leashes and poop bags on a tree instead of on the kitchen counter or top of washing machine.

    (This one shown is actually what's called a "hall tree" as its flat to go against a wall, and it's not portable like a coat tree. The cozying effect is great with the garments on it.)
    GARAGES
    • Skanky gardening togs
    • Gardening shoes - each on a peg to air out.
    • Wet drippy umbrellas.
    • Jumper cables and ice scrapers.
    • Picnic blankets at the ready.
    • The big foam fingers and seat pads to take to sporting events.
    • Badminton and lacrosse rackets and other lightweight sports equipment.

    (This is actually quite creative! It could be modern as well.)
    RESOURCES

    All Modern

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