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!
Jenglamgirl
July 22, 2010 at 1:07 amAllison~ I LOVE IT! its so much cuter with your awesome touches, bravo way to go. Hugs, Jenn
Anonymous
July 22, 2010 at 1:19 amwow! I love colors and the new back you put on it!
KellyRose
July 22, 2010 at 1:23 amCute! Cute! Cute! I am loving your blog!
Debbie
July 22, 2010 at 1:35 amThat 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 amI love that! It's really adorable! 🙂
Nicole@Whimsy-Lane
July 22, 2010 at 2:24 amSo 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 amYou are so stinking creative! I love it and that looks awesome!
Rachelle @ Adventures in Creating
July 22, 2010 at 3:43 amWow 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 amThanks Allison:)
Alison
July 22, 2010 at 5:09 amO 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 amThis 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 amOoo very cool! I love it ;D
Creative Decor by Brooke
July 22, 2010 at 2:02 pmI 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 pmI 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 pmAllison, 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 pmThis turned out so pretty. I love the fabric and ribbon you added.
-Crystal
Keep Calm and Decorate
July 22, 2010 at 8:14 pmThe punch of color is exactly what it needed. You are so talented! It looks amazing!!!
Sassy Sites!
July 23, 2010 at 12:42 amI need one of these!! I love your blog, so adorable! I'm a follower now!
Amanda @ Serenity Now
July 23, 2010 at 1:47 amIt's beautiful, Allison! I love the colors you chose. 🙂 Thanks for the visit. 🙂
Gayle
July 23, 2010 at 1:57 amLove how the paint color brings out the center of the fabric pattern. Good Job!
Cecily
July 23, 2010 at 2:26 amLooks fantastic! Great job!
Stacey's Creative Corner
July 23, 2010 at 3:39 amHi! 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 amLove 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 amHello 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 amLOVE 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 amLooks great! You are super crafty!
Come follow my blog too! Happy Friday.
Gros bisous
Frenchy
HOOTIN' ANNI
July 23, 2010 at 12:19 pmWow…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 pmNice 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 pmEverything 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 pmWhat 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 pmHi 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 pmWhat a fantastic job that you did! It looks fantastic!!
Debbie
Laurel @ Ducks in a Row
July 23, 2010 at 8:25 pmYou really did a cute job on it!
Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas
July 24, 2010 at 2:49 amWow! This is really wonderful!
Good job!
Thank you for sharing!
Leticia
Val
July 24, 2010 at 4:01 amWow, I'am loving this so much!! Great job….Loving your blog.
Andrea
July 24, 2010 at 4:02 amGreat job!! I love it!
Bonnie@Creative Decorating
July 24, 2010 at 12:22 pmI'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 pmThis 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 pmI 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 amWow, 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 pmThis 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 pmLooks 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 pmLooks great. Love the little added touch with cork board and material you added.
Christina's Creative Side
July 26, 2010 at 3:18 amDang girl, look at all these comments!! 😉 I'm loving this mail center. Veeerrryyy cute!!
mississippi artist
July 26, 2010 at 4:57 pmThis is way to cool- I really need one of these! Good job!
Kim
July 28, 2010 at 1:30 pmHow 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 amThat 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 pmVery pretty!
I love the colour you chose.
Sarah 🙂
Erin @ Where Beauty Meets Function
August 4, 2010 at 12:21 amVery pretty!! I love the color and fabric!!
Joy @ Thrifty Parsonage Living
December 10, 2010 at 5:02 pmVery cute!
Becky@OrganizingMadeFun
December 13, 2010 at 5:41 amI love to organize so I love anything that keeps you organized! So pretty, too!
diana
May 3, 2012 at 2:28 pmI 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!