While driving along the Historic District in Fort Myers, Lee County, a few mailboxes caught my eye. Compare to the ones in Fort Myers Beach or along the famed Hickory blvd in Bonita Springs, where you might see a dolphin mailbox and next to it a formal black box with gold numbers on it, the Historic District has its own tune. 
This red brick mail box with the slick steel opening stands out.But is it the right mailbox for that home?Luckily its home is quite grandiose and does not look out of proportion. Its solid for sure and says: "now you have entered a unique and expensive home" but it also gives an impression of strength and timeless decorum.It remind me of that town I used to live in MA called Manchester-by-the-Sea, where some of the estates had brick mailboxes. Perhaps the ideal would be the same design but less wide. To each his own.
Perhaps this one is less grandiose but the simplicity of the lines may work better.The problem? The house is nothing special, Its a decent home mind you, but a ranch type home.So is it the wrong box? Probably. Nice looking though.
The house of this mailbox is quite large and a sort of modern Key West frame home.Elegant. Would cement balusters make sense with a Old Florida style home? I like the imagination. I like the box itself but "what where they thinking?" " does it matter?" You have to gave them an A for effort.It has an odd elegance that has nothing to do with the style of the home.We do know that the sun is strong in Florida and may affect one's judgement. Perhaps its ugly pretty.
The flowers are a nice touch but does it look like an heron with a box on top or does it work? I am not sure about the skinny legs. Its not bad looking.Simple and in need of a juicy burger.
The local purple flowers are great.The box is made of aluminium but the rest is made of plastic. Would you think that a 4 x 4 treated wood or teak would be better and warmer? Well lets not be picky, its looks pretty good.
The home at 1386 in the Historic District has a Mediterranean architecture and its quite appealing.Sometimes some rust has some appeal but this one is odd, they seem to have the fancy number sign and green steel post and clashing against it is the rust bucket.Was it done on purpose and is their lucky charm?
There is no question that mail boxes have an important role in the curb appeal of a property. Do they matter? I think they do. They are also a way for the owners to demonstrate a facet of their personality, how proud they are of their home or they may just say " this is what I like and I don't care what you think"
LLoyd Nichols
Real Estate Network Services
6360 Presidential Court, suite 4
Fort Myers , Florida 33919
cell: 239-810-2980
fax: 239-463-4826
web site: http://www.mlsouthwestfloridahomes.com/
Real Estate Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydn
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