Monday, January 26, 2009

A Zebra Bulletin Board

IMG_0217

You’ve all seen my office nook a bunch of times and can I just say, I just love my little space. All 6 x 9' of it. When we moved in here, I knew this would be the perfect spot for me to create my own little office, just for me. I’ve enjoyed it so much. So, last year I updated the focal wall in lime green paint outlined with the rope trim border.

IMG_3855

And now it’s time to update my bulletin board, which I made about 2 years ago. The frame is huge and was a yardsale find for $10. I knew immediately I would put it to good use as a bulletin board in my office space. Since I already had this red bunny fabric in my kitchen and had plenty leftover, I kept it frugal at the time and just used what I had. But, you know that can’t last forever, right? IMG_3856

Off came the red fabric, down to the foamcore board covered with batting that I started with. By the way, making a board like this is so easy. I bought foamcore board at Hobby Lobby (using my 40% coupons) that would fit my big frame, cut it to fit, and just added batting on top to soften the fabric. If you have a staple gun, that really helps speed things up, but you could probably use hot glue or something else to adhere the fabric.

IMG_3857

And you can see I used more of the Hobby Lobby zebra fabric on here, since it goes so well with my black/white/green thing I have in the office nook. It only took one yard of fabric (40% off), so at $9.00 it was an inexpensive update. IMG_3858

Just pull the fabric taut all around, stapling the fabric to the board. Work your way all around the board, pulling & stapling. Fold in the corners and staple. IMG_3859

And your board will look like this from the back. IMG_3861

Add some ribbon trim on the front with tacks. This is not a precise measurement, I pretty much just eyeball it on how to layout the ribbon. Pull that around the back and secure it all. Then, simple pop it back into the frame and shoot some staples all around into the wood frame to hold it all in place. IMG_3862

And there you have it, a new and improved look with some funky zebra fabric. Luckily, my original green striped ribbon still works great with it.IMG_3863

LOVE it! If you have any old frame laying around, give it a try. It’s great to hold all those calendar items and things you don’t want to lose. Mine will be full again in no time at all.

I also did something with this space that I vowed I wouldn't do. I posted pics on Rate My Space when I found out they now have a home office category. I've heard of a lot of nastiness going on there and vowed that I wouldn't get involved over there, but on a whim I decided to post my office after I finished this bulletin board and since I love my little space so much. So, if you are so inclined and like to vote for things, pop on over there and give my space a nice rating, please! I figured an office space couldn't elicit too much negativity. :)

Attn: Birmingham bloggers! Would you be interested in a get-together for antiquing/lunch in the near future? I've heard about the Birmingham Flea Market at the fairgrounds which happens once a month, so I'm thinking about planning something for Saturday, March 7th. Let me know if you'd be interested in joining up for this fun event. It would be a blast to get a bunch of us together for a day of fun and looking forward to Spring!

Stumble Upon Toolbar

73 friends stopped by:

Anonymous said...

Oh that is so cute! I am going to do something similar to a bulletin board I have for my kitchen. Just gotta get the scrapbook paper for it! :) I'll check out your space and rate it.

Leanne Helums said...

Too cute. I have a board in my laundry room without a frame. I think I need to find a frame and really show it off. Thanks for the ideas. I love your blog.

Unknown said...

The bulletin board is really cute. I want to make one for my home office and one for my daughter's bedroom. Thanks for the tut. What is that frame made out of? Have you thought about painting it black? I think that would look really good with all the black in your office.

I love your blog and would love to get together for a flea market outing, unfortunately B'ham is too far for me. If you ever want to head to Nashville though...I'm in.

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Your bulletin board turned out great...LOVE it!

The Kramer Angle said...

I'm definitely going to give the bulletin board a try too. I didn't realize you use foam board. Thanks for the tutorial!

Blondie's Journal said...

Rhoda...this bulletin board is just wild (hee hee). As always, I love your use of black and the tutorial is very helpful as well as your breakdown of costs.

I love your office. So clean & neat as well as organized. I need to go spiff mine up!! :-)

xoxo
Janie

Unknown said...

Rhoda,

What a great idea. Love it and your little office area. I need to spruce my office up too.

Lori said...

This is a great idea-I am sooo going to do this in my office (which is green, black, and white conincidently!) And about Rate My Space, I have several rooms posted and have not had much, if any, negativity. I have seen it on other posts. But for the most part, people are encouraging and constructive.

Melissa said...

I LOVE IT! This is too sweet. I have a teensy tiny office so I'm always looking for fun ways to spruce it up and make it feel inspiring and cozy.

Kari said...

That is just adorable and it looks very professionally done. Like it came straight from Ballard. And that is a GOOD thing!

MJ @ 517 Creations said...

Hi Rhoda! I love your office nook. Do you mind sharing the green paint color brand/name? Also how about the green spray paint you used? It's my favorite color and am wanting to use it as an accent color in my kitchen. Thanks! :)

Anonymous said...

I love it! You really have made a great office space for yourself too!

Quick question if you don't mind.... I have 2 6 pane windows out of an old house that I am wanting to use along with other antique finds but the only ideas I have been able to see is the hanging picture frames in the panes. The glass is in excellent shape with no flaws so I don't want to start beating it all out. LOL! Also, I would like something unique. Any suggestions?

Kelley said...

The Zebra fabric looks so cute. Love it!

Jerri Lynn @ Southern Sassyness said...

I love it, Rho! Great new look!

Have you posted your office color? I may have missed it.

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Rhoda, I am game for the Bham Flea Market. Just let me know!

niartist said...

great re-do, and what a deal on that frame, only $10! I need to move to Bham. People are just giving their stuff away! LOL! Happy Monday!

Valarie Lea said...

I really love your office! It is one of my favorites that I have seen. :)

Blogger said...

Hi Rhoda,

Your office looks great and I love the new bulletin board!

I have been the victim of some nastiness on RMS...now I only post before shots on there to ask for advice...

Stop by my blogs if you get a chance to! I am having 18 giveaways on Bella Casa and 1 giveaway on bella casa news!

Take care

Judy said...

Hey girl! Love the zebra bulletin board, I need to get one made for my office space, and I just happen to have a big ole picture frame with nothing in it!

David and I went to that flea market a few years ago, we got there w-a-a-a-y early and had to wait while some vendors set up. I don't remember being blown away by it but it's pretty good. I'm sure you can find some treasures.

See ya!
Judy

Darlene - Our Creative Life said...

Ya know if it's animal print...I'm gonna love it! You did good, Rhoda!

Hey is there a trick to finding bloggers in your city? I would love to find some local bloggers & make some new friends!

southerninspiration said...

Rhoda,
LOVE it! I wish I were in the B'ham area for a get together! That sounds like fun!
maybe we'll work one out over here in TX!!!
Suzanne

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Thank you all for coming by to see my new bulletin board. To answer a few questions, yes I have thought about painting it black, just didn't take the time to do that. My frame is solid wood and I did darken the gold, but I may just go back & do my bronze paint on it. I don't think I want it solid black.

And MJ, the green wall paint color is Behr Grasscloth (at Home Depot). Same color I have in my laundryroom. I used a spray paint from Lowes & I don't think they carry it anymore. It seems like the color was Apple Green, so you might check out HD & Lowes and see what they have now. I did those baskets over 2 years ago.

Pretty Organizer said...

Okay, I'm loving the zebra print. Trying to figure out how to move a little animal inspiration into my office. Saw a zebra print message board I LOVED. Though I'd share. She used zebra fabric that had a fur like texture to it. Painted the frame gloss black. Trimmed the inside of the frame with a very short feather trim (no more than 1") and on the outside of the feather trim... on the frame, used a metalic trim. The ribbon on the inside was black organza and the where they crossed she used rhinestone blingy buttons. SO Fabulous. I think I have a similar pic on my blog... sadly, I'm not sure what I filed it under. Something about message boards!! Sorry! Great post lady. I love, love, love that office!

Runner Mom said...

This is adorable! Love it! And...it's given me some inspiration as to what I can do in my study! I will blog about it and take some before and after pics. And... send links your way! I appreciate your visiting my blog! Right now, I'm on a major budget! Thank you so much for offering your help though ! You are a sweetie!

Enjoy your junkin' time on Saturday!

Hugs,
Susan

Anonymous said...

Oh man I love the entire workspace! and totally loving the bulletin board! I want to try it! hehe! I have a few old frames that were my grandmas I might put them to good use! Thanks for the tip!

Lisa (aka) French said...

Ohh you know I love all animal print and I love your little corner!! I wish my little corner could half that organized! French;)

Southerner said...

I love it, Rhoda, you are really starting to drift with your black and white to all parts of your house. I think someone is in love with it:) I have always loved this office nook.
I have a question about hanging plates and started asking you but decided a photo helps my question so I posted it on my blog. Will you look at my blog and see if you have an answer because I know that you have a lot of plates on the walls. Thank you!

Hopsy said...

What a wonderful office! I am not sure I had seen it before, but I adore it! At home, mother has two chairs in the bunny fabric with the green background, I love the read too. However, the zebra really suits the room!

Terri Steffes said...

Totally love the bulletin board. I don't have one and now I think I NEED one!

Megan {The Brick Bungalow} said...

I WANT your office! I love the green, the zebra, the containers, the little green lamp. And it's not so girly that my hubby would hate it (he and I will one day share an office now that mine was turned into the nursery). I'll have to keep this as inspiration!

Anonymous said...

hey Rhoda,it never fails to amaze me how many ideas you have and how good they turn out! I'm inspired to have a go now, gotta love an excuse to get the staple gun out!

oh and yep I'd surely love to come to the flea market, the plane ride might just blow the budget tho

Sarah

The Bliss Journey said...

Hi Rhoda,
I love your new bulletin board and the zebra print. I have the same shade of green in my office with black and red accents.
Kathleen

Lisa said...

I have been wanting to make one of these forever. I just need to find the right frame, material... I love your board! Your office is BEAUTIFUL! Hugs from Maine http://sophie4me.blogspot.com/

Pam said...

Oh my gosh! That is the cutest thing ever! I think I have a frame I bought for just that purpose, maybe I will get to that while I am iced in! I love the shelves, where did you get those?
Pam

Wendy said...

I love changing things up! Looks great!

Justabeachkat said...

Love the new look...it's amazing how just a little fabric can make things new and exciting.

Hugs!
Kat

Anonymous said...

Rhoda!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love your new board, but I am in love with the red fabric too! Either way it is way too cool. Thanks for visiting today!
~Misti

CG said...

Rhoda! The new board is great!! I love it!

Faye said...

The Zebra print is far classier in that lovely space.

Christina said...

I liked it before. I love it now. Zebra rocks. Of course, so does your office.

Anonymous said...

oh now look at you! You've gone and done it now. lol I just burnt a mega huge frame that would have been swesome for this idea! wahhhhhhhh It had some sort of chalking like stuff on it and it was popping off here and there so I didn't figure anyone would want it so I just burnt it. I had already painted it and used it for a long while until I got tired of it and got rid of it. It would have been PERFECT for this idea! Now I gotta find me another one. lol

Angie said...

I love your office space, the colors are perfect. I would love to have an office like that!! So cute!!

Essential Oil Premier University said...

Liked your old fabric, love your new fabric better.

Blessings,

Sher

KM Studios said...

SOOOO SO SO much better!!!!
Jazzes that room right up!

awesome little project!!

Familjen Stålnacke said...

Oh my, what an absolutely wonderful blog you have!! Hi, my name is Susanne and I'm from Sweden! I hope you don't mind if I add your blog to my blogroll, I would love to come back for more visits :-) Your office nook is just gorgeous, and the board is fantastic :-)
Greetings from Sweden,
Susanne

Anonymous said...

I would love to meet up at the
B'ham Flea Market. It's not much
at all, but i would like to meet
you. The Nashville Flea Market
is well worth the drive up there
and is the last weekend of every
month.

Lazy Mom Leslie said...

Love it Rhoda! That is a huge frame, and it's fabulous! I can never understand the nastiness that goes on with message boards? What's the point of being nasty? And who has the time to do it online? Kudos to you for rising above!

Lisa~A Cottage To Me said...

I love your office nook! I have trouble with paper accumulation in my area. But your's is decorated so nice and so clean. Tell me your secrets, ha, ha.

Wendy said...

I love your bulletin board - both before and after. I have a cheap corkboard that I purchased at Walmart. I painted the frame black and stamped the cork with a fleur de lis stamp and it works - but I might have to make one like your's with the fabric.

I sure wish I lived in Birmingham - I would love to shop with you ladies! Have fun!

Wendy said...

Peeking around your office...I just love the damask-print plates, and all the harlequin diamonds! So cute! Love the board!

Nancy Rosalina said...

I loved it before, but I love it now too! Great Job! Nancy

Coffee with Cathy said...

Thanks as always for the inspiration. I've got an empty corner just like yours that now I'm itching to turn into my office. And count me in on the Birmingham blogging get-together. I'd love that -- sounds like fun.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Love your bulletin board redo, Rhoda!

Listen, why don't you come see us in Florida, and we'll shop down here??? You've got groupies (like me) here, too! LOL! ;-)

XO,

Sheila

Helen said...

Love the new look! I have an old piece of inexpensive artwork in a kind of nice frame. I was going to make it a chalkboard ... but now I am reconsidering. I need a bulletin board more I think...thanks.

Joanna said...

Love it! I am adding some zebra to my living room, so any and all zebra is awesome at the moment. Thanks for the tutorial on the board. I have been wanting to do one for my oldest daughter for her room, but couldn't figure out how to do it.

Kristen said...

I just adore your office nook! Your blog is full of wonderful ideas, tips, I actually mentioned the Projects of 2008 post in my blog: frommytinykitchen.blogspot.com
I look forward to everything you have to share!

BittersweetPunkin said...

Hi Rhoda! I love your lil office space too....it's so pretty. I love my lil space too and I've tried to surround it with pretty and useful things!

Hugs,
Robin

YaYa's Funhouse said...

I love your "little corner" you made for yourself. Love that bulletin board also. This is my first visit to your blog....I will return.

Anna said...

Just recently found your blog and I love it! I love the bulletin board - I am a sucker for anything zebra print. I have looked everywhere for a desk like yours - would you mind sharing where you found it?

Anna said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Darla said...

I adore your workspace, it's VERY happy! :) I love that zebra print, what a pretty update.

Kathysue said...

Hi Rhoda,It looks wonderful.What a fun office to work or blog in.I read where you are thinking of painting it.I totally think a high gloss black would look so chic and amazing.Solid black no bronze just sharp like the rest of the room.You do stay busy with your projects and I am so glad that you share them with us out here in blogland,miss seeing you at Micasa.Kathysue

Kelli@SassySouthernMom said...

Love it!! It looks like something from Ballard Designs, but better!! Great job, enjoyed the post!!

Barbara said...

Hi, Just wanted to tell you I am not going to Nashville...sorry was looking forward to meeting you and the other ladies. Hope you have a great time. I am giving away a pink heart bracelet, come by and register.

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

Oh Rhoda, I LOVE it! You know I'm all about some animal print. Your bulletin board matches my new shoes (lol)! I have been wanting to make one of these for my kitchen for quite a while. I'm still on the hunt for a huge frame that won't break the bank. By the way, I am a couple hours away, but I would LOVE to join ya'll at the flea market. Count me in, that sounds like way too much fun!!!

Rosemary said...

Cute as always!!
Just playing catch up with the blogging.
Nice to visit you.
Rosemary

j said...

I have a frame right now that would be perfect!! Hobby Lobby here I come. I am going to give this a try!

Anonymous said...

Oh Rhoda, what a great change, I love it!

Jennifer said...

Would you mind sharing WHERE you purchased your black shelves that are above your black desk. I'ven been wanting some like that for so long, but most of the ones I find aren't as bulky or substantial as yours. I love yours!

A said...

another talented re-do! I can't wait to see what you do with the molding - I tried this past weekend & it was a disaster doing the miter corners! I gave in & cheated...went & got the little corner pieces, then I re-cut everything for a straight cut!
I'd LOVE to meet you in B'ham, you've emailed me before when I told you my daughter had moved to Tuscaloosa. So you can give me the 'scoop' on all the neat places to hunt in B'ham. Just keep me posted! Annie (Annie100 from RMS)

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhoda! Love the bulletin board re-do. It looks great. Thanks for all of the inspiration that you share.

I only live two hours from Birmingham and would love to come down for a shopping day! If you plan one, keep me posted.

Have a great weekend,
Jen

cotedetexas said...

Gosh, you have been so busy lately! This is adorable, your office is so cute!!!!!

Rhonda Parker said...

Rhoda ~ you now have a new follower! I love all of your ideas... and I have another question - how did you attach the rope border to the walls? Thanks so much in advance for answering my question whenever you get the chance. :) Rhonda