Changeable Memo Board

At The Lavender Tub, this is the hallway that joins the front entry area to my kitchen.  It's a fun little space that welcomes people as they come on in.  I like to change it up, keeping it light and fun and not as formal as the entry.

For at least a year, I've had this beautiful frame hanging in there with nothing in it.  (My aunt who lives far away once saw some pictures of my home and asked if all the empty frames hanging around were a new style of decorating!  Uh,......."sure".  I'm so happy it's in vogue now.)  I finally decided that a magnetic memo board covered with fabric would be the perfect thing for this area to hang different little signs and decorations on.

After my Edward cut a piece of 1/8" plywood to fit the frame, I primed it and began painting it with magnetic paint.  I was going to just use a piece of sheet metal in the frame, but decided on the plywood to save costs since we already had a piece.  I reasoned that although the paint was a little pricey, it would be good for several projects.

Five coats and several uses of my asthma inhaler later, my board was ready for the fun part.  Which fabric to choose?

Kind of busy and formal, but pretty

Oooh, very groovy and Dating Game-ish

Burlap is always a nice choice

I opted for leopard, for now.  I like how it goes with the frame and it looks nice with the plate rack and teacups.  I say, "for now", because I know I will change my mind, and fully plan to.  As I've said before, fabric is something I'm really drawn to and this gives me a place to enjoy different fabrics.  The fabric is wrapped on the board and secured by.....

     .......okay, it is just Duck taped right now.  I plan to attach velcro strips on the back of the board and on the fabric, but at the moment it is just Duck taped.  Remember - things are not perfect at The Lavender Tub, and Duck tape isn't just for guys anymore!

I then simply put the board in the frame, and Voila'.  A very stylish memo board to dress up my hall area.

Afterthoughts:  I think I will still look for a piece of sheet metal to fit the frame as I'm not crazy about the magnetic paint.  Even with five coats, I cannot hang anything very heavy on the memo board.  The paint is also quite fumey and messy to clean up.  Lastly, you are supposed to use it as a primer and then paint over it.  As you build up coats it does get kind of a bumpy surface, so keep that in mind.  I think it has its applications, but I was hoping for more magnetic attraction.  (I sometimes have that hope for Edward and I too ;)  )

Have you used this paint?  What are your experiences?  Also, which fabrics do you like in the frame?

Thanks for stopping by,

Ellie 


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