Mail Center Re-do

I’m a little late posting today. The day has just gotten away from me but I wanted to share a project that I finished up yesterday.

I got this mail center from my MIL, which means it was FREE! Gotta love that. At the time, I wasn’t sure what to do with it or where to put it so there it sat in a closet for a year or more. We moved and after getting settled, I realized that I actually had a place for it. So my mind started spinning to figure out what I wanted to do to it. Travis wanted me to leave it as is but I knew I wanted to give it a punch of color.

The center piece, whatever it was at one time, was missing out of it so I decided I wanted to use cork to fill it (which what I am assuming was there). And at one time or another, I bought a fabric quarter that I loved so I decided I wanted to use that to cover the cork and make a memory board. Next all I had to do was decide what color to paint it. So I grabbed my fabric and off to Lowes and Wal-Mart I went. I bought a cream, a dark gray, and a teal color spray paint. I first was going to do the dark gray but once I got it all home decided on the teal.

So then the transformation began.

I first began by taking off all the hooks and other hardware. I decided to leave them as is. I don’t know how old this thing is but I had the HARDEST time getting the screws out. They were awful and I actually had to leave a hook on because I couldn’t budge the screws and did the same for the bracket that holds the little “mail” sign. So when it came time to paint, I just taped them off to protect them.

Then came sanding the finish off. I have no idea what it was but it would clog my sand paper within seconds. After that primed it and painted it Krylon’s Bahama Sea.


While the paint was drying and in between coats, I worked on my cork/memory board.







I inserted the cork into the empty hole. Attached all the hardware back on, and then distressed the edges just slightly to add a little more.

All done! I hung it in our just inside our kitchen.

It is near our fridge so now all the invitations, save-the-dates, and other odds and ends that end up on the fridge can go on here. (We’ll see how well it works for us. haha)

I love the way it came out. 🙂

Linking to these parties!

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By
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About

Hello, I'm Allison! I am an Army wife and momma to two little girls. I've got a creative side and I love to craft, do DIY projects with my husband, paint, and I occasional get my bake on too. Join me on my journey and take a glimpse inside our military adventures, my creative endeavors and our everyday life. :)

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  • Jenglamgirl
    July 22, 2010 at 1:07 am

    Allison~ I LOVE IT! its so much cuter with your awesome touches, bravo way to go. Hugs, Jenn

  • Anonymous
    July 22, 2010 at 1:19 am

    wow! I love colors and the new back you put on it!

  • KellyRose
    July 22, 2010 at 1:23 am

    Cute! Cute! Cute! I am loving your blog!

  • Debbie
    July 22, 2010 at 1:35 am

    That is adorable Allison…my before and after party is going on, this is perfect…or it can wait til Fridays party too:) Hope all is well, we just came home from vaca, and I am trying to catch up with all my buds!

  • Em
    July 22, 2010 at 2:12 am

    I love that! It's really adorable! 🙂

  • Nicole@Whimsy-Lane
    July 22, 2010 at 2:24 am

    So totally fabulous! I want one! I will have to keep my eye out for something similar I can dress up. Great job!

  • Jemsmom
    July 22, 2010 at 2:31 am

    You are so stinking creative! I love it and that looks awesome!

  • Rachelle @ Adventures in Creating
    July 22, 2010 at 3:43 am

    Wow this turned out so cute! We need a mail center at our house as well, thanks for the inspiration!

  • Debbie
    July 22, 2010 at 4:24 am

    Thanks Allison:)

  • Alison
    July 22, 2010 at 5:09 am

    O my goodness! This is absolutely fabulous, Allison!! I can't tell you how cute it turned out. Love the final color!

  • simplydesigning.blogspot.com
    July 22, 2010 at 10:50 am

    This is very cute!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm so glad I came to check yours out…super cute blog! I now follow you too!

    Oh and it looks like you join link parties…I host one every Friday that I'd love to have you join!

    Ashley

  • Cassie
    July 22, 2010 at 11:04 am

    Ooo very cool! I love it ;D

  • Creative Decor by Brooke
    July 22, 2010 at 2:02 pm

    I love that. And free makes it even better. It turned out so cute with that fabric.
    I made one similar to that with just an old frame. But yours is awsome.
    Brooke

  • Kayla
    July 22, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    I love it. I could purchase something like that. You did a fantastic job. I think I may try and make my own. Thanks for the inspiration. Love your blog! I'm your newest follower.

    Ramblings of a Small Town Girl

  • Laura @ Just For Love
    July 22, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    Allison, that is adorable!!!

    Seriously, I am SO impressed! Very, very, very cute. I need to make a spot for our mail. It's kept in a shoe box right now, haha!

    Have a great day, girl : )
    Lots of love,
    Laura

  • The Harris Family
    July 22, 2010 at 3:49 pm

    This turned out so pretty. I love the fabric and ribbon you added.
    -Crystal

  • Keep Calm and Decorate
    July 22, 2010 at 8:14 pm

    The punch of color is exactly what it needed. You are so talented! It looks amazing!!!

  • Sassy Sites!
    July 23, 2010 at 12:42 am

    I need one of these!! I love your blog, so adorable! I'm a follower now!

  • Amanda @ Serenity Now
    July 23, 2010 at 1:47 am

    It's beautiful, Allison! I love the colors you chose. 🙂 Thanks for the visit. 🙂

  • Gayle
    July 23, 2010 at 1:57 am

    Love how the paint color brings out the center of the fabric pattern. Good Job!

  • Cecily
    July 23, 2010 at 2:26 am

    Looks fantastic! Great job!

  • Stacey's Creative Corner
    July 23, 2010 at 3:39 am

    Hi! I found your blog through Find a Friend Friday over at the trendy treehouse and I am so glad I did! I love how you altered the mail center! It looks fantastic!

    ~Stacey
    staceyscreativecorner.blogspot.com

  • Anu@My Dream Canvas
    July 23, 2010 at 3:52 am

    Love it!! I am having a CSN Giveway on my blog My Dream Canvas and would love for you to drop by.

  • Lauren
    July 23, 2010 at 4:10 am

    Hello Following from Friday Blog Hop
    Have a great friday

    http://22yroldhousewife.blogspot.com/

    Ps I also host a friday blog hop so feel free to link up anytime

  • Mine for the Making
    July 23, 2010 at 5:06 am

    LOVE the color and it's so much more functional!!!

    Visiting from Debbiedoos 🙂

    Kara @ MinefortheMaking.com

  • Le Chateau des fleurs
    July 23, 2010 at 6:49 am

    Looks great! You are super crafty!
    Come follow my blog too! Happy Friday.
    Gros bisous
    Frenchy

  • HOOTIN' ANNI
    July 23, 2010 at 12:19 pm

    Wow…that is great. What a neat idea Allison.

    For your convenience, Here Is My Show and Tell Bargain Link. Hope to see you visit with me.

  • Tins and Treasures
    July 23, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    Nice work… adding the print fabric in the opening.

    Hey, I recognize your envelope from Direct Loans…we have two daughters in college!!

    Have a fabulous Friday. ~Natalie

  • French-Kissed
    July 23, 2010 at 5:24 pm

    Everything about this redo is fabulous. Love how you really thought it through and added all the extra little details…great colors, too. And besides all of that it's extremely practical! I have a cheesy store bought board, but this inspires me to create my own.

    ~jermaine~

  • Mrs. M @ TLC
    July 23, 2010 at 5:45 pm

    What a pretty project! Great tutorial. Thanks! I'm coming from NFF. I have a giveaway. Please stop by when you can and perhaps join the fun as well. I'm signing up to follow your lovely blog.

    Blessings!

  • Jennifer McLean
    July 23, 2010 at 6:13 pm

    Hi Allison, I'm a new follower to your fantastic blog. Love the mail center. So well crafted. I want one too!
    Best,
    Jenn

  • Debbie@Debbie-Dabble
    July 23, 2010 at 8:11 pm

    What a fantastic job that you did! It looks fantastic!!

    Debbie

  • Laurel @ Ducks in a Row
    July 23, 2010 at 8:25 pm

    You really did a cute job on it!

  • Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas
    July 24, 2010 at 2:49 am

    Wow! This is really wonderful!
    Good job!
    Thank you for sharing!
    Leticia

  • Val
    July 24, 2010 at 4:01 am

    Wow, I'am loving this so much!! Great job….Loving your blog.

  • Andrea
    July 24, 2010 at 4:02 am

    Great job!! I love it!

  • Bonnie@Creative Decorating
    July 24, 2010 at 12:22 pm

    I'm trying to catch up on some blogs! I LOVE this. I have a mirror with the slots like this that was in my son's room. It doesn't work with his style now and it has been sitting in the basement. Voila! I know what to do with it now!! Great job, Allison!

  • Anonymous
    July 24, 2010 at 1:49 pm

    This is just too cute!!! I need one! I have never seen this kind of mail center!

  • Makalani Adolpho, PLC
    July 24, 2010 at 9:17 pm

    I love it! This turned out great. I love the fabric you choose and the painted you used.

    Visiting by way of Tatertots & Jello

    ~Makalani
    http://www.MakazHome.com

    If you have any halloween inspiration you would like to add to our link party, check it out at http://makazhome.blogspot.com/2010/07/its-spooktacular-inspirational-parteeeh.html

  • Ellie
    July 25, 2010 at 1:29 am

    Wow, it looks amazing! I would have left it as-is too, but it's super-cute now!

  • Mandy [Mandy's Yellow Corner]
    July 25, 2010 at 2:45 pm

    This is FABULOUS Allison! I love how it turned out! And i LOVE that fabric. . . I think I had some just like it about 6 months ago. . . it got used really quickly on Christmas presents! :]

  • Kristen
    July 25, 2010 at 6:34 pm

    Looks fantastic. I love how it turned out. You did a great job. Visiting from Under The Table & Dreaming. 🙂

  • Joy
    July 25, 2010 at 8:02 pm

    Looks great. Love the little added touch with cork board and material you added.

  • Christina's Creative Side
    July 26, 2010 at 3:18 am

    Dang girl, look at all these comments!! 😉 I'm loving this mail center. Veeerrryyy cute!!

  • mississippi artist
    July 26, 2010 at 4:57 pm

    This is way to cool- I really need one of these! Good job!

  • Kim
    July 28, 2010 at 1:30 pm

    How cute and functional. If you're not sick of partying, I'd love for you to link up with Fabric Fun Thursday :).

  • Kimberlee
    July 31, 2010 at 7:52 am

    That came out wonderfully! Love the ribbon you used, and the fabric. Visiting from Take A Look Tuesday.
    ~Kimberlee
    http://www.thespunkydiva.blogspot.com

  • Cozy.Cottage.Cute.
    August 3, 2010 at 1:27 pm

    Very pretty!

    I love the colour you chose.

    Sarah 🙂

  • Erin @ Where Beauty Meets Function
    August 4, 2010 at 12:21 am

    Very pretty!! I love the color and fabric!!

  • Joy @ Thrifty Parsonage Living
    December 10, 2010 at 5:02 pm

    Very cute!

  • Becky@OrganizingMadeFun
    December 13, 2010 at 5:41 am

    I love to organize so I love anything that keeps you organized! So pretty, too!

  • diana
    May 3, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    I know this is kind of an old post, but I just came across it and I love it! So, so cute! I need to find one of these for our home because mail always ends up all over the place. Thanks for sharing!