DIY Industrial Style Message Board
Hi friends, I hope your week is going well! I wanted to share this fun project I posted over on Lolly Jane a couple of weeks ago. I was looking for a message board that fit with my decor and had a hard time finding one, so I made my own. Today I’m sharing the simple DIY tutorial. Enjoy…..
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Hi, I’m Amy from Home Remedies and I’m so excited to be joining the 2015 Lolly Jane contributor team! I don’t know about you, but the start of a fresh, new year always makes me want to get organized. With a hubby and two busy kiddos, one of whom just started driving, it’s hard to keep up with who needs to go where, and when! Yes, we live in the age of smart phones, and they’re great for keeping track of appointments and checking in with each-other when we’re all on the go, but sometimes you just need a place to scribble a quick message, park those receipts, and corral the never-ending pile of mail. I looked high and low for a “message center” that would fit my family’s needs while still fitting in with the rest of my home decor, but couldn’t seem to find anything I liked, so I decided to make one.
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own:
1 Piece of plywood – mine was a 2′ x 4′ x 1/2″ thick piece of plywood, pre-sanded on one side. It was cut down to 3′ long for this project.
Measuring tape
Cordless drill
150 (medium) grit sandpaper
Painters tape
Rags for staining
Paint brush or small roller
1 Side-load letter tray
2 Bulldog clips
Screws (8 x 1/2 / M4.2 x 12.7 Truss washer lath screws)
4 3/16″ Midget one hole straps
2 small D-ring hangers
3 1 /4″ cup hooks
4 3″ flat corner braces
Rust-oleum 2x Ultra paint + primer in Satin Granite
Minwax wood stain in “Provincial”
Rust-oleum wood stain in “Driftwood”
Black chalkboard paint
Instructions:
Cut your wood to the desired size and lightly sand the edges.
Wipe off any dust.
Rough place your items on the board, for a good visual of item placement.
Tape off the area that will become the chalkboard. I measured 2″ from the left, top and bottom edges, making my chalkboard area 17 1/4″ w x 19 3/4″h.
Stain the wood using Provincial, avoiding the taped off chalkboard area. Don’t forget to stain the edges of the board!
While the stain dries, spray paint the bulldog clips, screws, and hole straps using the gray spray paint. Then, using black chalkboard paint, lightly distress the painted pieces. Once dry, lightly sand for an aged, distressed look.
Apply the Rust-oleum, Driftwood stain. The key to getting this look is to apply the Driftwood stain lightly, working in small areas, then wiping off immediately. If some areas end up looking too gray, go back over them with Provincial using the same technique (apply lightly, work in small areas), until you get the desired look.
Once the stain is dry, remove painters tape, tape off outside area of chalkboard, and apply 2-3 coats of chalkboard paint inside the taped off area, letting each coat dry completely before applying the next coat.
Once all the paint and stain is dry, turn the board over and screw in the hangers.
Turn the board back over and place the basket centered between the right edge of the board and the left edge of the chalkboard (1 1/2″ from each edge, 3 5/8″ from the bottom edge). Secure the basket using 4 of the one hole straps.
Measure 2 1/2″ down from top edge of the board and screw in the bulldog clips, 7 1/2″ apart from each other.
Place the corner braces around the edges of the chalkboard and screw into place.
Measure, then screw in the cup hooks (1 3/4″ from the bottom edge, 3 3/4″ apart from each other).
And that’s it! Now it’s ready to hang!
Thanks so much for letting me share this project with you today! I’d love it if you would follow me over at Home Remedies where I share quick and easy DIY and Home Decor Projects.
You can also connect with me here:
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Until next time!
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This is SO cute! It totally looks like something you would buy at Pottery Barn or something. Love it!
Erica recently posted…Think and Make Thursday Party 17
Thanks so much, Erica! It certainly has made my life more organized!
I am going to be making us a weekly menu board and would like to have some organizational features on it too so I may have to use some of your super cute ideas on it! I love the stain

Emily @ Table & Hearth recently posted…On Display Thursday Link Party No. 29
Thank you, Emily!
I am absolutely in LOVE with this…..every last little detail is perfect. I enjoy seeing what you create so much!
Jamie | anderson + grant recently posted…Friday Favorites
Thanks so much, Jamie!
I think you and are definitely decorating soul sisters! I love the look of this, and I really like the basket and clips on it for extra memo storage!
Kristina @ My Own Home Blog recently posted…Chicken Wire Message Board Makeover
I agree, Kristina – soul sisters indeed! Thanks for your sweet comments!
This is absolutely gorgeous! I didn’t know I needed one until I saw yours. lol Thanks for sharing and for the tutorial!
Shelly @ 100Things2Do recently posted…Valentine Decoration using glass block
I’m so glad you like it, Shelly! Thanks so much for stopping by – and for leaving such sweet comments!
Oh my word I love everything about this memo board! Every single detail I love love love. You are total genius!
CoCo recently posted…Something to Talk About Link Party #3
You are too kind, Coco! It was such a fun project, and I love being able to keep my family somewhat organized!
What a great tutorial, love what you did!
Thanks so much, Christine! It has definitely made my life a bit more organized.
Thanks so much for visiting!
This is gorgeous, Amy! I love the simplistic nature, and the industrial elements!
Congrats on contributing at Lolly Jane! 

Amanda @ Dwelling in Happiness recently posted…Wood Slice Family Handprints
Thanks so much, Amanda!
It was a fun project; and the ladies at Lolly Jane are great to work with!
I love this!! it would be perfect in my craft room..as a things to do list and inspiration board!! Hey I would love it if you stopped by and shared your stuff on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday – Link Party…it’s going on now!! I would love to have you!! http://www.cookinandcraftin.com/my-2-favorite-things-on-thursday-link-party-6/
Thanks, Elaine! I missed this weeks’ party, but I’ll be there next Thursday to link up! Thanks for the invite!
That is so durn cute! I’m dying to make one for our garage entry now
Saying hi from the My Romantic Home link party!
It’s been such a great way to stay organized! So glad you like it!
Hello beautiful! This looks so amazing. I love it. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for being a part of our party and we hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm. We can’t wait to party with you! Happy Valentines’ Day! Lou Lou Girls
Lou Lou Girls recently posted…DIY Upholstered Headboard Tutorial
Thanks so much, ladies!
This is so nice Amy! Perfect for any entranceway
I really like the bulldog clips.
Thanks so much, Natalie – so glad you like it! It has made such a difference in keeping me organized!