Hey sweet friends! We’re back today, to share another little project we tackled recently as we partnered with Command Brand in our home.
School has started, and we’re switching into high gear to get ready for the massive onslaught that is readjusting to real life. Last year was a little overwhelming and this year with two in school, we decided to kick it up a notch in the organization category.
So we decided to cook up a homework + chore center for the kids. It’s a simple little area where we keep papers to be organized, a calendar to keep up with it all, and little tags for the kids to use to tackle their daily jobs.
It’s a family command center. Here’s what we did.
We took pieces of MDF {1/4 inch} and cut them to the following sizes: 5 x 28 (days of the week) 21 x 21 (calendar) + (7) 5 x 12 tags for the kids.
I painted each piece with a coat of our favorite white {read: it was already sitting in our garage}
On our large {21 x 21 calendar} piece, I used a stencil we already had, and loosely filled it in with some gold paint we had left over from Emerson’s room redo. I rubbed some of it away as I went, and then dry-brushed a little white in different directions on top. When that was dry, I used a “tea stain” by wiping some stain on and off to finish it off.
On the tags and longer piece, I divided them into equal parts, and added gold squares on every other section.
Then I added letters for the days of the week {the top part of our “schedule”} and on the tags, I added a letter for each child {A, E, M}. You could easily do this with any kind of scrapbooking materials from around the house, or simply printing out a letter in a font of your choice, cutting and tracing them. I lightly distressed each letter by wiping away when they were almost dry. When the paint was dry, I gave them each more of a “tea stain” (by rubbing stain on, and then wiping it off) for that aged, timeless feel.
When this was dry, we drilled holes into each corner, and with small gold screws, added plexiglass on top.
A little note about plexiglass: You can have any size cut for a totally reasonable price at your local glass shop. This will make a dry erase board surface for your command center. It’s kind of exciting, all those endless possibilities and fun projects you can make! (We also suggest when hanging it to go as thin as possible.)
When those were complete, we drilled a hole in the top of each one, and they were ready to go.
In each section for each child, for seven days of the week, we intend to use these to keep up with what needs to be done. From homework to chores around the house and everything in between… when it’s completed, they can wipe it off the section of their board, and tada! Their tasks are complete for the day.
To hang our center, we used Command Brand Damage-Free Hanging Clear Window Hooks and the Picture Hanging Strips.
We loved how easy these were to use. And the best part? No holes in the hardy board on our veranda.
Apply according to the directions on the back, and tada! You have your very own command center.
Have a mess-up with your positioning? No problem. They come off so easy, it’s stress free, all the way.
We also used them with our “art area” above. They’re great to use!
Here’s to keeping our heads above water this year… hurray for our big kindergartener and second grader!
Be still my heart.
It’s a household management thing that will hopefully help make life a little easier.
What’s something you’re doing this year to manage all the school crazies? We’d love to hear. Have an inspired day, y’all!
::This post was brought to you in partnership with our partner Command Brand, please read our full disclosure pertaining to partnerships and construction here. Please follow all directions on packaging and take note of all weight limits for each product. Some items may require more than one hanging strip or hook.::
Follow Command brand:
Twitter • Facebook • Pinterest
Netties Expressions says
Wow, this is such a great idea! How smart to think of using plexiglass to make the chore chart reusable…I’m already dreaming up my own version. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks so much! ;} Let us know if you try it!
Heidi says
I have a pretty binder (I think it might have been a photo album-thank you Target!) with pocket dividers-I have one for each kid’s school stuff, each kid’s extracurricular activities paperwork. I also have a section for invitations, dr/dentist/ortho info, house stuff. I know it’s not high-tech, but it’s all in one place, and is pretty organized.
Lisa says
Super cute idea! I LOVE projects where most of the stuff is pretty common and on-hand 🙂
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks girl! – Us too! Let us know if you try it! ;}
Angela says
This looks amazing and so functional! I’m a wimp when it comes to working with wood, even MDF. I’m wondering if I could modgepodge paper to the back of the acrylic or if it would stick? I may try it out with some scraps and see what happens.
ashley @ the handmade home says
That’s a great idea – one route I was thinking of trying. Fabric may have a better outcome (less bubbles) and just be sure to get the kind of Mod Podge that will work the best … go for it! ;}
Mindy says
The plexiglass idea is so simple it’s genius!!!
Jen says
So darling as always, and I really love love love that you added plexi over your beautiful creation to offer the dry erase option. You are such a smart cookie!
xo,
Jen
jessica long says
I love this idea! Plexiglass turned erase board would be a great way to organize homeschooling subjects and chores.
Also, I love those white handles. Did you add them?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Jessica! Are you talking about on the piece of furniture? They’re from Hobby Lobby. + The piece itself from Ana White’s book. ;} I hope that helps!
jessica long says
Thanks, yeah, I was talking about the drawer pulls. It’s a bummer we don’t have a hobby lobby nearby!
Thanks for the command center idea. I even shared it with my sister yesterday. You’r so creative, it’s great!
tara says
clever girl.
amazing command center.
Nicki says
I was just thinking I wanted something I could draw weekly meal plans on that wasn’t a chalkboard, or a typical white dry erase board. You read my mind! Thanks for the fabulous idea.