Vintage technology/Retro Apple aesthetic – Ethernet Key Door Holder Rack

In terms of the scope for this upcycling project, I wanted the item I created to serve a functional purpose in my day-to-day life. I looked around my room and tried to find something that needed an item or fixture serving a secondary purpose, aside from its original design. In my case, I often hung my keys around my lamp, and since I frequently forget to grab my keys as I walk out the door, I figured I could construct a fixture to hold them—a sort of makeshift key wall holder.

PROJECT CONCEPT 

My project involve me making a sort of fixtures that is mean to hold my keys, a key rack if you will, but instead of having it be mount on my wall (as I am not really allowed to use tape or screw in fear of damaging the paint/wall) would attach the rack to something similar to that of a door towel hanger, a device that hooks to the top of door while still allow the door to shut. Image below is used as a reference of what I am talking about

Image [1]: York Lyra Over-the-Door Rack –  iDesign

I chose to have the fixtures connected to the backside of my door because I figured it would be one of the easiest spots to locate my keys. Since the door is one of the last places I look before exiting my room, this placement felt intuitive—I naturally have to look at it before opening the door. In addition to focusing on this part of the building, I wanted to create a fixture that connected to something familiar to me—something I’ve interacted with frequently in the past. Having repaired phones in the past and reflecting on my initial reasons for stepping into the field of STEM, I realized that technology was a component I wanted to incorporate into the fixture. When considering how I wanted the design to function with my keys, I remembered seeing another upcycled project that involved a similar concept: turning a guitar amp into a keychain holder (see the image below for reference).

Image [2]: Marshall JCM800 Jack Rack, 2016 – Pluginz 

However, instead of using an amp, I wanted to find something within the field of technology and computers that could fulfill a similar purpose. It needed to allow keys to plug into a socket easily, hold securely in place, and also be quickly removable—almost like a locking mechanism that could be disabled at the press of a button. While other types of ports might wear out over time due to constant use, I wanted something that tied in with the retro aesthetic I had been envisioning. Upon further inspection, I realized that an Ethernet port and cable would perfectly fulfill this purpose.

Image [3]: Ethernet Cables and Port, 2023 – Ellis

CHOSEN AESTHETIC

Considering that I will be using rather dated hardware, with Ethernet cables often exposing their internal wiring in various colors, I wanted to tie the aesthetic of my build to something adjacent to my hobbies. My goal is to create a design inspired by retro technology, particularly the look of Apple products from the late 1970s. This includes using off-white or cream-colored plastic and incorporating the iconic rainbow logo, which symbolized a shift in the company’s vision during that era. This design choice aligns with the time when Apple launched its first color display, marking a significant milestone in technology. To complement this theme, I plan to have the keychain match the rainbow color scheme, while the main Ethernet port box—possibly repurposed from an old, non-functional router—will adopt the off-white/cream color aesthetic. This approach aims to evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of late 1970s to early 1980s technology.

Image [4]: Apple ll, 1980 – National Museum of American History

MATERIALS/PRESENTATION

Hanger Portion

To create the hanger that attaches to the door, I will need to source scrap sheet metal of the appropriate thickness. This metal must be thin enough to slide between the door frame while still being sturdy. The sheet metal will be bent and secured to the main portion of the build using screws or by drilling it into place.

Main Console

For the main console, I plan to repurpose an old router or Ethernet splitter. This console will serve as the base where the Ethernet cable will be plugged in.

Keychain Accessory

I will also need old Ethernet cables, which do not need to be functional. These cables will be cut to size and modified to create a keychain accessory. The idea is to attach my key to the Ethernet cable, which will then plug into the console. This setup will allow me to “dock” my keys in a designated spot on the back of my door, ensuring I don’t forget them when leaving.

Aesthetic Design

To unify the appearance of the project, all components will be color-coded to match the retro aesthetic of old Apple products. This will give the build a cohesive and intentional design, avoiding the look of a random assortment of materials.

Sources:

[1] York Lyra Over-the-Door Rack. iDesign. https://idesignlivesimply.com/products/bruschia-otd-rack-four-brushed-chrome

[2] Marshall JCM800 Jack Rack. 2016.  Pluginz. https://www.pluginzkeychains.com/ 

[3] Ellis, Justin. Ethernet Cables and Ports. 4 Jan. 2023. Comms Express, Comms Express Limited, https://www.comms-express.com/blog/what-does-an-ethernet-cable-do/.  Accessed 28 Jan. 2025. 

[4] Smithsonian Institution. (2023). Apple ll. National Museum of American History. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_334638.  

Acre Security. (n.d.). Ethernet cable pulled into port. acre security. Retrieved January 9, 2025, from http://acresecurity.com/blog/navigating-network-choices-fast-ethernet-vs-gigabit-ethernet. 

 

3 Comments. Leave new

  • Francine Palmos
    February 10, 2025 12:51 pm

    Hello Daniel!

    This is such a cool project! I haven’t seen a key holder made in this aesthetic so I’m really excited to follow your progress. I also like the idea of using Apple color scheme to implement that retro aesthetic. Keep up the good wooorkkk!!

  • Ariana Ramirez
    February 5, 2025 8:55 pm

    Me, little Blake, and Michael thinks this will project will be hella tough and aesthetically cool.

    How does your specific project with the key Holder Rack fit into the Vintage technology/Retro Apple aesthetic? Also, how do you plan on hanging your keys with the wires, which are flexible?

  • Hi Daniel,
    I really love this idea – It’s simple, clearly follows an aesthetic, and will be functional. I’ve seen lots of key holders similar to the amp one, and this one is super creative. The only questions I would have are: Where are you planning on sourcing sheet metal, and are you planning on using actual ethernet cables for the loops?

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