The Unique Letterbox by Olala by Pupa: A Coloured Work of Art
An Artistic Favourite at Maison & Objet 2025: The Artist’s Box signed Olala by Pupa At Maison & Objet 2025, La Boîte Jaune presented a unique creation that aroused curiosity and admiration! Discover a letterbox painted live by Belgian artist Olala by Pupa. This exceptional collaboration combines French craftsmanship with the creative energy of this Belgian graffiti artist, renowned for her bold, poetic style. Discover the new product Olala by Pupa: an inspiring Belgian artist Olala by Pupa is a Belgian graffiti artist who first made a name for herself painting murals in urban spaces. Her joyful, colourful style transforms any surface into a living work of art. In 2024, she launched her first collection of wallpapers and illustrated objects, demonstrating her desire to bring light and good humour to interior spaces. Her ‘Drôles d’Oiseaux’ collection, which includes posters, jewellery and decorative objects, features motifs inspired by her personal world and her childhood. With each project, Pupa invites the public to dream and rediscover the world with fresh eyes. For La Boîte Jaune, this collaboration was an obvious choice, so much so that Pupa’s artistic values resonate with the artisanal heritage and innovative spirit of our creations. https://www.laboitejaune.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_2986.mov A work of art on a letterbox The Olala by Pupa letterbox is much more than just a functional object: it’s a work of art in its own right. Under the paintbrushes of the Belgian artist, this everyday object has been transformed. A letterbox bursting with colour and emotion. Every detail of the painting reflects Pupa’s poetic and joyful universe, making this letterbox as captivating as it is unexpected. Presented live at Maison & Objet 2025, this creation attracted a lot of attention and sparked a lot of conversation. It embodies the idea that art can be found everywhere, even on the most ordinary objects, transforming them into symbols of expression and creativity. La Boîte Jaune: between heritage and innovation For over 10 years, La Boîte Jaune has been committed to reviving the heritage of letterboxes from the 1950s, while adding a touch of modernity. Made in Nantes at the Dejoie foundry, our letterboxes are the fruit of unique craftsmanship. This collaboration with Olala by Pupa is another step forward in our mission to create objects that combine aesthetics, functionality and history. Stay tuned for our next artistic collaborations and new products.
Protecting your letterbox from the rain: Our practical advice
A properly installed letterbox means dry mail and a longer lifespan.Die Verbindung aufrechterhalten, die Seele bewahren… und sich die Fortsetzung vorstellen Die gelbe Schachtel ist mehr als nur ein Gegenstand. Our models are designed to withstand the elements, but incorrect installation or extreme weather conditions can sometimes lead to infiltration. In recent years, climatic conditions have changed radically, with higher rainfall and more frequent episodes of rain. As a result, damp is more prevalent, and despite all the solutions implemented to limit seepage, it can sometimes be difficult to guarantee completely dry mail. Here’s how to avoid these inconveniences and optimise the protection of your letterbox. Today we give you our top tips for protecting your letterbox from the rain. Why is my letterbox leaking ? Even though La Boîte Jaune letterboxes are designed to prevent any infiltration through the flap, certain elements can still encourage damp. Here are a few ideas on how to protect your letterbox from the rain: Exposure to wind and rain olution: Orient your box to avoid direct exposure to prevailing winds. If possible, install it under a porch or against a wall to protect it from gusts accompanied by rain. Water seeps in through secondary openings Solution: For extra protection, you can add self-adhesive weather stripping or an anti-draft brush to the entry slot. This reinforces the seal in particularly severe weather. Condensation or water passing through the assembly points Solution: Our letterboxes are carefully manufactured to avoid these problems. However, to reinforce watertightness, follow these recommendations depending on your type of installation: Installation and precautions Column-mounted letterbox Apply silicone to the back of the box on the perforated pads provided for wall mounting. These perforated pads may be water ingress points due to the laser pre-cuts. Check that the box is level when it is installed: a slightly sloping box can encourage water to accumulate and seep through. Wall-mounted letterbox Add a silicone seal to the outside of the letterbox. This prevents water seeping between the box and the wall, especially in the event of condensation. If you are fixing your letterbox to a post, make sure that the ends are not too exposed. A partially cantilevered installation can encourage damp and therefore make the box more sensitive to the elements. Choose a fixing that limits direct exposure to wind and rain. Contact us
The yellow letterbox: an emblem that is gradually disappearing… and that we want to make last
The yellow wall-mounted letterbox, an emblematic feature of the French landscape, is disappearing from our streets. Hung on the walls of town halls, schools and buildings, they added a familiar touch of yellow to our towns and cities. La Poste’s wall-mounted letterboxes were part of the décor, almost like a street lamp or a public bench. A reassuring landmark, a discreet but powerful symbol of our everyday French life. But in recent years, these boxes have been gradually disappearing from shopfronts. La Poste is refocusing its collection points, rationalising and reorganising. It’s an understandable move for a national service… but one that leaves a gaping hole in our streets. The end of letterboxes: an inevitable transition ? The familiar yellow letterboxes are gradually disappearing from the French landscape. It’s a decision that’s stirring up debate and emotion, combining digital modernity with an attachment to tradition. From 1 February 2025, La Poste will begin the definitive withdrawal of its emblematic letterboxes. This measure is a response to a concrete reality: the vertiginous fall in mail volumes. Fifteen years ago, the French were exchanging 18 billion items of mail a year. Today, the figure is barely 6 billion. This transition primarily affects the most densely populated areas, where collection points can be pooled, but it also raises questions about our relationship to links, to the postal presence and to the anchoring of an object that has become emblematic. From the street to the home: a symbolic continuity It’s this iconic yellow letterbox that we wanted to bring into the gardens, on the gates and facades of houses. With its period lines, familiar look and reworked colours, it stands the test of time while adapting to our modern uses. Far from being a simple practical object, it becomes a wink, a piece of heritage that continues to live on in everyday life. Each box installed is a reminder that beauty sometimes lies in what seems obvious. It’s an incoming letter, a summer postcard, an unexpected parcel. It’s a link. Keeping the link, preserving the soul… and imagining what comes next The yellow box is more than an object. It’s a fragment of our collective memory, a Proust’s madeleine screwed to the wall. By continuing to bring it to life, we want to offer individuals a way of appropriating a piece of French postal history, while bringing a little poetry back into everyday life. And while it may be gradually disappearing from towns and cities, it can continue to exist… in your own home. After all, it’s not just a box. It’s a symbol of connection, transmission and trust. We would be proud to be able, in our own way, to continue this story with La Poste. Working together to come up with new ways of bringing this heritage to life, updating it, making it ever more accessible… that’s a great prospect we hope to build in the years to come! Discover our models
What to do if you lose your letterbox key Our tips for keeping access… and smiling
The key has disappeared. The key ring? Not to be found. As for the mail, it’s waiting patiently behind the door. If you’re in this situation, don’t worry: you’re not the only one to have lost a letterbox key. At The Yellow Box, we often receive this kind of panicked message… and we’re here to guide you step by step, gently and efficiently. 1. Two keys on delivery: a spare for a good night’s sleep Each letterbox from The Yellow Box comes with two keys. Each lock is unique, guaranteeing the security of your correspondence. These keys are designed to be easily reproduced by a locksmith. A quick trip to the workshop and you’ll have a spare key to put in a drawer or leave with someone you trust. 2. Total loss? Don’t panic, just follow these two steps If all your keys have gone missing (it happens to even the most organised people), here’s what we recommend: Step 1: Ask your postman for help. The postman can open your letterbox using a special La Poste pass. This service is at their discretion, but often makes it easier to retrieve your mail. Step 2: Change the lock. Once the door is open, all you have to do is replace the mechanism. And the good news is that we can supply you with a new lock, perfectly compatible with your model. 3. A little forethought, a lot of peace of mind You never know when you might lose a key. So for peace of mind: Make a duplicate key as soon as you receive it Keep a separate key in a safe place, separate from your other keys Avoid putting any address details on your key, to protect the security of your box Conclusion At La Boîte Jaune, every letterbox tells a story. And sometimes it puts you to the test… with a key that goes missing. But don’t worry: everything can be repaired, everything can be replaced, and above all, you’re never alone. ➡ Need a replacement lock? Contact us
How do you maintain your letterbox ?
Your La Boîte Jaune letterbox is designed to stand the test of time. Made of cast aluminium, hand-crafted in the Dejoie foundry in Nantes, it is weather-resistant and will not rust. However, like all beautiful everyday objects, it needs a little attention to keep it looking its best, so that it continues to serve you well, day after day. Here are our simple tips for looking after your letterbox, without unnecessary effort. 1. A quick wipe with a sponge from time to time Although aluminium is not very sensitive to dirt, dust, pollen and fingerprints can dull the surface over time. A soft cloth or damp (non-abrasive) sponge is all you need to restore the shine to your box. Avoid aggressive products or alcohol-based cleaners: a little soapy water is all you need. 2. Protect the colour Our boxes are carefully powder-coated, but as with any surface exposed to the sun or rain, the pigments may develop a slight patina over the years. You can apply a mild protective wax (such as body or furniture wax) once or twice a year. This forms a thin, water-repellent layer that prevents dust from adhering and revives the colour. Discover our models 3. Keep an eye on the hinges and the folding shutter To ensure that the shutter closes properly, it is important that the hinges remain fluid. A drop of WD-40 or fine oil applied once or twice a year will help the shutter to fall perfectly into place. This prevents the door from being left ajar, and therefore prevents water from seeping in. A small gesture that makes all the difference, especially in winter. 4. Keep an eye on the alignment Over time or as a result of an impact (or someone in a hurry), the door or shutter may become slightly out of alignment. If you notice that it closes less firmly or that the shutter no longer folds naturally, check the fixings and gently realign them by hand if necessary. Our boxes are sturdy but will tolerate a little manual bending if necessary. And that’s all there is to it! A well-maintained letterbox is an object that remains beautiful, functional and welcoming. It's part of the décor, part of the history of your home… and of the people who live there. At La Boîte Jaune, we're proud to offer lasting objects, designed to be passed on and admired. Take good care of it, and you'll be well rewarded. A question? Contact us
