AE Update | A New Home For The Advent Boxes
Some of you might remember these AdventBoxes I put together back in 2007 (inspired by a project I'd seen in Martha Stewart's Kids magazine).
For the last couple of weeks I've been working on a project (with a bunch of help from Chris) to paint the one long wall in our laundry room with both magnetic + chalkboard paint. I thought this would be a cool spot for this Advent calendar and a cool place for Anna (and Simon) to use chalk or play with other magnets (like this alphabet set).
Here's a couple before photos of our laundry room (it's right off the kitchen):
I stripped off the wallpaper border and then we got down to business of painting the magnetic paint first.
A couple of coats later we added a couple coats of chalkboard paint (they were just about the same color) and called it good.
To get the boxes to "stick" to the wall I used magnetic tape from Michael's. I used 2-4 strips per box. I put a couple strips on before I could tell that the adhesive on the magnetic strips needed a bit more reinforcement so I used red line tape to stick the tape to the back of the boxes.
So far they seem to be sticking ok. I'm not planning to put anything heavy inside the boxes and anticipate that they will get re-arranged and moved around throughout the month.
Now if I could just change up the floors...
She seemed to like it.
He definitely liked it.











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86 comments
Ali,
I think you should do something really spiffey (is that a real word?) with the switch plate cover. Love the idea of the magnets.
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Magnetic paint is new to me too! Such a cool idea to combine with chalkboard paint!
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Love how this turned out! Love seeing how people decorate & organize. Would love to see more of your kitchen and your studio.
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love this, I didn't even know there was magnetic paint! will look for it>
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LOVE this!
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Oh, I love this. I've wondered about both the magnetic and the chalkboard paint. You will have to to tell us how they hold up. I'm afraid my guys may have gotten too old, but I could always do it for myself!
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So freakin' cute. Once again, I can't wait to have a home where I can do projects like this. I am loving the chalkboard paint.
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I'm now looking for a wall I can paint with magnetic and chalkboard paint! I love how you always share before, during and after photos. Happy Holidays to you and your beautiful family!
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I love magnetic paint and also chalkboard paint- I just painted a wall in my girls' playroom and they love it! I have one question for all of you out there who have used the chalkboard paint as this was my first project- I purchased dustless chalk and let my kids "doodle" away- however- we are having a hard time erasing it- Any advice??? Thanks- and as always- Thanks for always inspiring!!!
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i mentioned your post about the advent experiences, tried to link to shannon, but couldnt find her anymore
http://theberres.blogspot.com/2010/11/advent-countdown-to-birth-of-jesus.html
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Oh for the space to do something like that !!
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Ali - I also have a chalkboard wall that I use in my workroom... love it for working out design plans.
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Fantastic!
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This is such an incredibly FABULOUS idea. I absolutely love it! Now I'm trying to think of a place to do this in my house (for me, LOL!, my kids are grown). Great job!
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ali,
i love this idea!! i always had trouble putting my boxes up and getting them to stay. this should be great ;)
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[...] together. It was just a great start to the season. I love the ideas of the boxes, especially like Ali’s and Sally’s . I didn’t want to make a new one this year, because I know I have one. I [...]
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What a fab idea!
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[...] I love Ali Edward’s advent box display. She painted the laundry room with magnetic and chalkboard paint, and it will double as a play [...]
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Would you mind sharing what brand paints you used for this and whether or not you're pleased with them? I'm considering creating a magnetic chalkboard space in my craft room as I have a half of the room that my kids use and they would LOVE something like this. I just hesitate and worry that the chalkboard part won't work as well as I'd like it to be.
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When I saw your post, I knew that's what I wanted for the bedroom that's about to turn into our home office, but read so many negative reviews on Lowe's and Home Depot websites that I am dubious about starting. How many coats of the magnetic paint did you put on? Which brand did you buy? Are you still happy with it?
Thanks.
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