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Mission Organization: Family Command Center

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It looks like it’s going to be another gorgeous “winter” day here in the ridge.  The temp is supposed to get up to 63 degrees.  I think I can stand 6 more weeks of this!

First off, I just want to say a big thank you, thank you, thank you to all of my new followers.  I’m certainly not in this for the money, so all of the love and support is greatly appreciated!  I’m also on facebook, and if you want to follow me there, click here to go to my page.

One of the areas we’ve been trying to improve in around here is keeping up with everyone’s schedule.  I just finished a little project that will hopefully help us with that.  And will also keep the kitchen island somewhat cleared off if I’m lucky.

The project started with a 48″ x 48′ bulletin board that I had picked up at a yard sale a year or so ago for $5.  I hadn’t found the right spot for it until now.

Here’s what it looked like when I bought it.  I laid it on a table (my next project) in the basement and painted the somewhat dinky frame that was on it.  I didn’t like the frame even after I painted it, so I pried it off with my hammer and a 5-in-1 tool.  Easy enough.  Notice the ugly basement floor.  I recently painted a bedroom in our basement that was the blue and white version of this floor, and made it look like large tiles.  You can see the tutorial for it here.

After I took off the frame, I carried the bulletin board upstairs and covered it with burlap.  I tucked in the corners and attached it with my staple gun. 

I didn’t mind the selvage edge showing, but I don’t like the look of raw fabric edges and  turned them under before stapling.  Not that anyone else will ever see it or care, but I did it anyway.  It looked better that way. 

Next I added two sizes of ribbons and tacked them to the backside, then added picture hanging wire. I was finished with covering the board.  

The goal was to have places to jot down grocery needs, upcoming events for the week, and our weekly menu.  I attached to the board 3 dry-erase boards, a monthly calendar, and my favorite perpetual calendar that I’ve had for years. 

Our menu board.  I don’t cook like this every week, but it makes my life so much easier if we’ve planned the menu together and I’ve shopped for the items.  This way, I don’t even have to think about what to make for dinner when I get home, or wonder if I have the right ingredients.

I love this calendar.  I’ve had it for probably 10 or 15 years.  It never gets old to me.  I just have to remember to change the date every day.  The girls usually remember if I forget.  But sometimes the date mysteriously gets changed to November 22, regardless of the actual date.  I wonder if it’s a coincidence that my youngest was born on that day???  It doesn’t hurt to try, right?

Adding a mail rack was part of the project, too.  I found this one at T J Maxx.  I’ve seen similar ones in the Ballard catalog for about twice as much.

And I added the coolest basket to the bottom of it to toss junk mail into for recycling.

It’s actually made from recycled newspaper!  How cool is that?  I saw it the other day at Marshall’s and knew I had to have it.

Here’s a few of the items I’ve “decorated” the board with.  It’ll all change in a couple of weeks, of course.  I stole the metal letter “K” from our den bookcase and attached it with 2 screws. 

I don’t really do much decorating for valentine’s day.  So I stuck some of my Mary Engelbreit valentines on here for a little bit of fun.

Here’s a shot of my cleaned off kitchen island.  This is about as clean as it gets.  

And my favorite coffee mug waiting for me.

This is totally unrelated to the project, but I had to share what was blooming in the front flower bed yesterday.  Beautiful crocuses. Looks like spring is coming early.  I don’t care what the groundhog said yesterday.

Here’s a quick rundown of what I spent on this project:

Bulletin board (already had it)  $5

2 yards of burlap fabric from fabricguru.com $10.79, including shipping

3 Dry erase boards from Staples     $17.54 for all 3, including tax

Mail rack from TJ Maxx  $21.88, including tax

Recycle basket from Marshall’s  $14.22

Ribbon from Hobby Lobby $4.18

I already had the picture hanging wire, staples and staple gun, and all of the other items I added to the board.

Total spent for family organization $68.61

It’s totally worth every penny.  And a bargain compared to smaller burlap covered boards I’ve seen in catalogs for 2 or 3 times that, without the mail rack and other fun stuff!

I hope you have a great weekend.  Thanks for stopping by.

XOXOX.

Angie

 

If you’re new here, I’d love for you to follow along and see several other upcoming projects, including a stenciled chest of drawers, a new kitchen faucet, and much more.  You can follow here:

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24 Comments

  1. Hey I already follow you but would really appreciate it if you would come over and follow my new LINKY FOLLOWER tool.

    Thanks.

    XO XO,
    Cheri from Its So Very Cheri

    1. Sure, Cheri. I just installed the linky follower tool on here today. Be sure and follow me through it so you don't get lost! Have a great weekend.
      Angie

    1. Thanks! It gives the board a nice texture and covers up any holes in the cork. Thanks for stopping by.
      Angie

  2. Love your new "command central"! I love bulletin boards and there is cork board on the hutch of my desk. I'm thinking a treatment like this would work on it…and make it soooo much more attractive! Thanks for inspiration!

    1. Thanks, Jane. It's a very simple project. And easy on the wallet too. Thanks for stopping by.
      Angie

    1. Thanks, Eldarose! I'm glad you like it. It's an easy project. Thanks for visiting.
      Angie

  3. I like how yours came out too. We did a white board, now need to do a bulletin board to go with it. Thanks for letting us look!

    1. Thanks. You could easily cover a smaller board from a craft store, too. I just happened to have this giant one already. Thanks for stopping by.
      Angie

  4. Angela-
    Wow, where do I start? I love the burlap, I love the recycled paper basket, I love the mail rack, vintage calendar, menu board, etc etc. It's all soooo cute! And it look great on the brick wall. So "loft-like".
    I'm so glad I stumbled upon you from the newbie party.

    I'm now following!

    If you have time feel free to stop by my blog and follow too (only if you would like, of course!)
    http://www.adventuresofourfamily.com

    1. Thanks, Sarah. I'm so glad you like it. I especially love the recycle basket. And the brick wall is just a bonus that came with the house! I'm following you too now! Thanks for visiting and following me.
      Angie

  5. I love your families organization board! Thanks for sharing how you made it and where you purchased your supplies. Your brick wall is beautiful too.

    1. Thanks, Kathy. The brick wall adds a nice texture and color to our kitchen. Glad you like it. Thanks for visiting.
      Angie

  6. thanks Angela for linking up your creativity to my newbie party. Please add my link to your post…I may have not seen it. You were a big hit on the feature today.

    1. Thanks for hosting the party, Debbie. I've got the link on there now. I somehow didn't have it when you visited. This is my 3rd week linking up and I'm having to make notes and remind myself of everything and make sure I do it all right. Thanks again.
      Angie

  7. First, I love your brick wall. Love it! And the command center is awesome too! Thanks for sharing.

    1. Thanks! The wall came with the house and we love it too. The command center is already helping us get more organized. Thanks for visiting.
      Angie

  8. The command center is a great idea! Thank you for sharing at Potpourri Friday! I am now following you via Linky!

  9. Hi Angela!
    I love your command center! WOW! 🙂
    I would love to feature it on my organizing blog, Organize and Inspire. I would use one picture with a link and full credit to your blog. If that sounds good, just let me know!
    Thanks so much!
    Traci
    beneathmyheart.net

  10. I love this command center, it is beautiful! My question: Is the cork attached to plywood? It looks like it, but wasn't sure what makes it so thick. Great blog!

    1. Yes, it's attached to plywood and it's quite heavy. Thanks for the nice comments! ~ Angie

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