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Customized School or Kitchen
Center
By Brenda Hyde
 Bulletin
boards of any size can be expensive, as well
as cork boards tiles. A helpful person at our Home
Depot suggested I look at the ceiling tiles to use
in place of cork board, and my husband and I
came up with this very inexpensive bulletin board
project. I installed mine on a small wall in my
kitchen to use as a center for the kid's artwork,
school calendar, A+ papers and other things they bring home
from school. It would also make a perfect kitchen center;
holding a menu for the week,coupons, recipes and reminders.
You'll need:
1 ceiling tile
Interior latex paint-two colors plus glaze if sponging
4 brass screws-longer than the width of the tile
4 brass nuts
2 or 3 inch paint brush
sea sponge(household sponge or a rag will work too)
ruler
level
drill with bit to match size of screws
SUPPLIES
Ceiling tiles come in a couple of different sizes. I used one
that was approximately 2x4 foot. They are very inexpensive.
I bought mine at Home Depot for about $2.00. All of the paint
was leftover from other projects. Use what you have on hand!
The tiles are fairly fragile-a lot like corkboard-so be careful not
to drop it or get too rough after you buy it. Once it's on the wall
it's fine, but be cautious while transporting it and working on it
There was a smaller ceiling tile that was about half the size that
work well for smaller spaces.
We used brass screws that were an inch and 1/2 long with
matching brass nuts. The head of the screw was about 3/4
inch round. You want a chunky screw to hold the board in
place and it looks decorative using brass. Over time the tile
will become worn-at this point you can paint a new tile-remove
the screws and the old tile, then install a new one.
A note on the sponges. I had always used cheap household
sponges for crafts, but I broke down and bought a small bag
of three sea sponges. They work much better and if you wash
them out immediately with soap and water, then rinse them well
they last for many projects. It was a good investment of about
$5.00 for three small sponges.
PREPERATION AND PAINTING
Lay your board out on a good work surface on newspapers or
plastic. Paint the tile front and the sides, going fairly heavy
on the paint. Allow the first coat to dry, and apply a second
coat. The tile is porous and you may notice tiny white spots.
I let these go and once sponge painted it all blended together.
I think a muted or lighter color works well in choosing paint for
this project. When the second coat is completely dry you can
rag or sponge paint. I used a slightly darker shade of purple
mixed with a glaze made just for decorative painting. (all my
paint products were made by Behr) I have sponge painted without
a glaze, but it does go on nicer using it. Lightly sponge or rag
roll over the entire board. I use a brush to put paint on my sponge
and then I use a clean rag and press the sponge on that before
applying it to the tile. It makes for a nice even look and you won't
have any globs of paint. Allow this to dry completely.
HANGING THE BULLETIN BOARD
You will need two people to install the board. One person should
hold the tile in place, while the other uses a ruler to make sure
it's centered by measuring on both sides from the edges of the
wall. Once it's in place put in the first screw and nut in one corner
while the other person holds it in place. After this is in place take
a level and one person adjusts the tile while the other reads the
level to make sure it's straight. Hold tightly and install the second
screw. Don't forget to put the nuts on too! At this point it's pretty
secure and you can install the last two screws easily. Place all four
screws in the corners by the way, but an inch or two away from
the edges.
FINAL NOTES
I was very happy with the end result on this project and like it
so
much more than the standard bulletin board I have in another
room. You could use these, or the smaller tiles, in a sewing/craft
room, kid's room, entry ways or garages. The possibilities are
endless as far as colors and uses and I made this one for less
than $5.00!
BIO : Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer, wife and mom
to three.
For more craft ideas visit her at
http://oldfashionedliving.com/attic.html
where you'll find
crafts for home decor, holidays, the kids and more.
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