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How I Gave This Message Center A New Life

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Today I am showing you a fun transformation.  I am going to show you how I gave this message center a new life!  I really needed it.

New Life for a Message Center - www.michellejdesigns.com - This message center was in a terrible mess. See how it was transformed and now has a brand, new life!

How I Gave This Message Center a New Life

I found this little message center at a consignment store for $10.  I probably know I paid too much but I just thought it had such potential.

New Life for a Message Center - www.michellejdesigns.com - This message center was in a terrible mess. See how it was transformed and now has a brand, new life!

This is how it looked when I got it.  The cork was so brittle that it broke right off and a couple of people had written weird things on it.  Well, obviously I overlooked all that and took it home anyway.

This was the project that had me trying several new things. Some were great and some were…not so great.

First I removed the eagle and the stars and threw away that nasty cork.  Yuck!

I wanted to try the new Krylon Chalk Finish Spray paint.  I had already purchased the teal for a different project so I used it.  The spray was awesome.  It went on nicely without any runs.  I put on 2 good coats then just touched up a bit for the 3rd coat.

After it was completely dry I used the Krylon Spray Wax over the top.  I let it dry over night then brought it in the house and let it dry all day while I was at work.  I started buffing and it still seemed a little tacky.  It could have been me because there are no finger prints or anything.  I think this wax needs a lot more drying time than the brush on wax.

Another new thing I tried was adding fabric to the front of the drawer with Mod Podge.  I have to say this turned out really cool.  I used this fun burlap that I got at JoAnn’s.

New Life for a Message Center - www.michellejdesigns.com - This message center was in a terrible mess. See how it was transformed and now has a brand, new life!

I used the method of pulling one of the strings then cutting where the missing string is to keep it straight and fray free.  It worked like a charm.  I placed it onto Mod Podge on the front of the drawer then applied a generous amount of Mod Podge on top.

New Life for a Message Center - www.michellejdesigns.com - This message center was in a terrible mess. See how it was transformed and now has a brand, new life!

In this photo you can still see the white of the Mod Podge before it had dried.

Jeff helped me add some new hardware to the front. These were originally chrome silver.   They got a new coat of flat black and I love them.

New Life for a Message Center - www.michellejdesigns.com - This message center was in a terrible mess. See how it was transformed and now has a brand, new life!

They look better than the teeny, tiny knobs that were there before.  I sort of wish I had just purchased a larger version of this to go across the front in the center of the drawer.  I think this would have looked nice and not sure why I did not think of it before I purchased the hardware.  Oh well!

Fabric on drawers – success!

The next product I wanted to try is the Cricut Dry Erase Vinyl.  I think stuff is great!

New Life for a Message Center - www.michellejdesigns.com - This message center was in a terrible mess. See how it was transformed and now has a brand, new life!

So, I measured and cut using just a paper cutter.  It looked great for about 15 seconds.  Then this happened.

New Life for a Message Center - www.michellejdesigns.com - This message center was in a terrible mess. See how it was transformed and now has a brand, new life!

It just would not stick to this surface.  Maybe sanding could have helped but instead I decided to paint on some Chalkboard paint.  I am happy I did because I like the black better with the fabric on the drawer.

Cricut Dry Erase Vinyl – FAIL!  (at least on this project)  I will definitely try it again on something else.  I still like the idea of using it.

So after two coats of the chalkboard paint and a black ribbon to hang it on the wall.  This is how it turned out. I just love it.

New Life for a Message Center - www.michellejdesigns.com - This message center was in a terrible mess. See how it was transformed and now has a brand, new life!

 

New Life for a Message Center - www.michellejdesigns.com - This message center was in a terrible mess. See how it was transformed and now has a brand, new life!

New Life for a Message Center - www.michellejdesigns.com - This message center was in a terrible mess. See how it was transformed and now has a brand, new life!

New Life for a Message Center - www.michellejdesigns.com - This message center was in a terrible mess. See how it was transformed and now has a brand, new life!

What do you think?  I really like how it turned out and it is such a difference from the before!  I hope you liked it and will share with everyone you know in the entire world!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

I am sharing this post at:

Totally Terrific Tuesday

Snickerdoodle Sunday

Work It Wednesday

 

Maria

Monday 19th of March 2018

This is so well done! Great idea, love the fabric. Maria

Michelle

Tuesday 20th of March 2018

Thank you Maria. I loved the fabric too. I think it added a lot to it.

Leanna

Saturday 17th of March 2018

Wow this looks so much better. It is bright and cheerful, and catches your eye.

Michelle

Sunday 18th of March 2018

Thank you Leanna! It really needed an update!

Michelle Leslie

Friday 16th of March 2018

I would have paid $10 for it too Michelle, it's such a lovely little message center. I wonder why the Dry Erase Vinyl didn't want to stick, perhaps it was the spray wax? Either way it turned out great. Love the blue

Michelle

Saturday 17th of March 2018

Thank you Michelle. I have not tried the Dry Erase Vinyl on anything else. I should to see if that was the problem. You could be spot on with that one. I ended up liking the chalkboard paint though so it all worked out I guess.

Manita Murphy

Monday 11th of April 2016

LOVE IT! I wish I could see past the "uglies" like you do.

Michelle

Monday 11th of April 2016

Thanks Manita! This one was pretty ugly. I asked Jeff if he wanted the hearts from the sides of the basket and he said no. I thought they would look pretty good on the model he is working on. LOL! Thanks for taking time to comment. I appreciate it.

Susie Bentz

Friday 11th of December 2015

Very pretty - and if you use it $10 was a good deal!

Michelle

Saturday 12th of December 2015

Thanks Susie. I usually spend about $5 or less. Lol!!