This project has two purposes for me.
One, it disguises our power meter, and two, it has a place for mail.
Sometimes the mailman leaves it on our porch, and when I come home from being gone, I find the puppy has ripped everything to shreds.
So if you have something unsightly you’d like to disguise, this project is for you.
Here is our little front porch:
{yes, I need a new boxwood, but look, my lilac tree is starting to bloom!}
This was our front porch yesterday.
Now can you see why I wanted to disguise it?
I measured my space and cut a piece of sanded plywood.
Then I cut 1×4 pieces of pine to frame that out. The power box sticks out from the wall, and after measuring, the 1×4 turned out to be the perfect size, for the depth.
I sanded all the rough edges and then using a air nailer, nailed all the pieces together.
I then measured an appropriate size hole for the meter box and cut out using a combination of a chop saw and jigsaw. Then I sanded down those rough edges.
Next I cut another piece of plywood slightly larger than my opening. I put hinges on the top and painted the whole thing with leftover paint from my dining/living room.
To identify that it’s where the power meter is, I painted the “General Electric” logo on.
Then I sanded down the whole thing and used a combination clear and dark wax over the top.
I also painted the front of the box with the same method.
I stained the edges {1×4’s} grey to match the other signs already hanging on the porch wall.
I found a little metal bin at a local craft store and added that to the bottom for mail.
With the hinges, the little “GE” door lifts up to reveal the meter.
I can’t decide if I love it yet, but it’s definitely better than it was before.
Now, lets see if the meter reader yells at me 🙂
xoxo
A great idea to disguise/hide those hideous eyesores. Beautifully done and looks great with your other artwork. Artwork on the house as well as in the house? Brilliant!
love this! and i love the other art also!!!
Well this is seriously the prettiest looking meter box I have ever seen! Makes me wish I had a meter box so I could do this to it! Love the artwork next to it also!
We have some sort of "smart" meters that can't be blocked from the road…but that is a great idea to cover something ugly like that! Our utility companies are very particular on rules…I'm curious to see if you'll be able to keep yours covered. It's a fantastic idea!
Time will tell! Haha
You are a very clever girl with this one! Love it.
I also wanted to find out what you use for your recipe cards when you post a great recipe? Thanks for the info, have a great day!!
Thank you! I use the catalog card generator on blyberg.net 🙂
I absolutely love the idea, but here in New York, they scan the meters from the comfort of their trucks. I hope you get to keep your little disguise because it is so nice.
I LOVE it! Yes, beware of the meter reader!
LOVE it Melaine!!!
~Michelle~
Melaine, I love it! I think it was a wonderful idea and looks great. Hopefully GE won't freak out and let you keep it. Either way you should for sure keep the mail bin!
Great disguise!
What a great idea!!! It looks awesome.
I love it, no question!
Love it!
Its growing on me! Agree way better then having a meter on front of house. Very unusual placement of that meter to begin with.
I believe you have found the most cleaver way in the world to hide a meter box. Let's hope it isn't a new person reading the meter and is unable to discover it behind the GE symbol.
Thank you for sharing about your recipe cards!!
You are crazy creative! I wish you could have a hidden camera capture the meter reader's expression when they see it! Hopefully, it will be an inspiration to them too – ha! Like unwrapping a gift. 😉 Maybe tape a piece of candy in there, just in case it's against code. It's really cute – I love how you painted the logo and how you balance it with the other two signs. ~julie
This is one of the most creative things I have ever seen. I hope it grows on you because it's perfect.
Wow, that's really adorable! Great idea!
I love it. Great job.
Why would they put that on a front porch. You did a great job of making it pretty.
I'm curious too to see if you utility guy/gal says anything.