Chalkboard Accessory | Chalk Holder

Hello Readers,

Earlier this week, I shared how I transformed an otherwise boring hallway near our foyer into a magazine worthy mudroom.  

Today I'm going to show you how I came up with the adorable chalk bowl holder.

If you follow my projects regularly you know I like to add a little gold/brass accent to every room I design.  I like to think of it as the cherry on top.  This particular gold accent is one of my favorites.  

I simply turned a vintage cabinet pull upside down and re-purposed it as a chalk bowl.  

But how do I attach this to the wall you may ask?

You insert two nails (backwards) into the holes, hold them straight and by eyeing it to make sure it's level you quickly but firmly press it into the wall just enough to make the marks of where you will need to hammer your nails in.    

Clever, huh?   

 When you hammer your nails in leave at least an inch showing so it can easily slip onto the holes of the cabinet pull.

 Once you have hammered the nails into position, line up the holes on the hardware and firmly press the cabinet pull on the nails and all the way to the wall.  

Now my friends, you too have a unique chalk holder! 

 Enjoy! 

From my House to your House, Happy Hunting!

Linking to: Life on Virginia Street

Creating a Mudroom Command Center For Less

Happy New Year Readers! (Sorry I'm a little late..)

Now that the New Year is here, I'm sure everyone has the same mission:  To get organized and be the best you can be. 

There it is. The pressure.  New Year, New YOU.  (It's everywhere, isn't it?) 

Well, my best advice is-- to take it one day at a time.   

Your home should evolve, just like you.  You grow. It grows.  It's only natural.

Let's take my first project I tackled this year, for example. I couldn't wait to get my hands on our mini mudroom...(well, it's not really a mudroom, just a long hallway I want to utilize like a mudroom.)  Here's the 'before'... Do you see the potential?  

Here's the closet and hallway I updated back in 2012.  If you click on the link, the before is pretty bad.  

This set-up has served its purpose for a couple of years, but as our family gets busier, we really need more organization to keep us grounded.  After all, there is a huge wall to work with--when you can't go out, go up.

I will be the first to admit our "command station" has resided on the side of the fridge for many years and has been cluttered and messy.  Often an embarrassment...  I'm supposed to be House by Holly, right?  The wind lets right out of my sails every time I see those papers taped and magnetized with no purpose.  Now's the perfect time to aim for a change.

The formula for a basic Mudroom command center: 

•  A chalkboard (notes)
•  a message board (tack important papers)
• a clock (time)
• a mirror (to take one last look at yourself)
• some family pictures (sentiment)
• seating (put shoes on)
• a row of hooks (coats and scarves)  

There you have it-- a purpose for the space.  

Now you could go straight to a home store and purchase all these things.  OR you could be like me and try to do it for next to nothing.  I got time on my side people...lots of it.  Plus, I'm a twit when it comes to that stuff.  'Must. re-use. my stuff...'

Here's what I came up with--

• I took an old frame and covered the cardboard in painters cloth and used ribbon in a diamond pattern to create a neutral message board.  (Yes, you can do that!)
• I took another frame I had and painted the glass with chalkboard paint to make a chalkboard.   (Yes, you can do that!)
• a $10 clock for a discount chain (purchased in 2012)
• I Re-used the existing black framed pictures with the kids school picture.  At some point I will probably add frames holding some special art work the kids make...
• 2 cube seats for the kids to use while putting on their shoes. ( I re-upholstered these inexpensively in 2013)
• An umbrella stand that was in the garage makes its way back into the house. 
• A $5 mirror from Walmart tied with a grey ribbon.
• A picture of a tree that says "Home" was in the basement...
• A $15 row of hooks from a discount store. (purchased in 2012)

This project cost me nothing.  I bet you can find some things lying around your house to do this same project. 

And no room would be complete without a little touch of gold.  This gold cabinet pull hung upside down creates the perfect bowl for my chalk. Here's the tutorial on how to hang it.

(I purchased this one at a discount chain about a year ago waiting for the perfect project.)

 (The view coming in from the garage.)

The end result: I created another extension in our home specifically for coats, hats, boots and all those important papers that we need to look at during the week.  No more messy, cluttered fridge with crap hanging off the side of it.  Everything is in one place. The memoboard will have all the kids important schedules and reminders tacked to it. 

What do you think? Is this something you could see yourself doing in your own home? I'd love to hear your feedback.

From my House to your House, Happy Hunting!

And remember to take this 'New Year thing' one day at a time.



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Linking to: Savvy Southern Style, Life On Virginia Street, Thriftyy Decor Chick