Kitchen Communication Center

Written by: Cathy Carroll  

We are a family of five with many interests and many directions

we move in each day.

That has caused us some very chaotic and confusing times lately;

so,

I decided it was time to do something about organizing our schedules.

Thus,

The Communication Center 

was born.

I really don't know what took me so long to put this together.

It has been in the planning stages for quite some time.

And, we definitely could have used it way before now.

Too many times we have had scheduling conflicts 

that 

could have been avoided with just a simple bit of communication.

We only have one wall in our kitchen that would work for this.

So, I began by painting the wall with black chalkboard paint.

I actually think that was the holdup.

Getting the nerve to paint this wall as we rent

and

I was a little fearful that it might be a little out there.

But, I am so glad I did it  - it looks absolutely awesome.

Then I divided the wall into three components.

The top is a magnetic dry erase board that I drew a permanent calendar form on.

This way we can change the months 

and

place all our important dates and appointments on it.

I bought some different colored dry erase pens to use for different functions.

I also have a couple of magnets to hold separate notes that come in.

These are made from those advertising refrigerator magnets everyone has.

I covered them with drop cloth fabric 

and then embellished them with ribbon and buttons.

Then I just wrote the word "Notes" with a black sharpie pen.

I also have a magnetic pen holder on it that was 

embellished with ribbon and buttons.

Then there is a small magnetic notepad that I use to write needed groceries

as we run out.

The second part is made up of  three clipboards I covered with drop cloth fabric and stenciled.

I will be showing you how to do these later this week.

A very simple project that has a big impact on this wall.

Above each I wrote in chalk what was on that clipboard.

I divided it amongst the areas we get the most papers from

school, church and phone numbers.

You can see the middle clip board has a special business card/note holder on it.

This is made from an old paper back book.

I will be giving a complete tutorial on it later this week also.

I love this idea so much I made two.

I placed the second one on my desk to hold notes and cards.

It is so handy and so easy to do.

Plus, it fills a big need at our house - where to put all those 

business cards, coupons, stray phone numbers and bits of paper that come in

that can't be thrown away.

The bottom third is just a chalkboard for us to write messages 

or

for the kids to draw and play on.

Let me tell you it was hard to hold them back while the paint cured.

I love it.

It has already helped us get a few things organized that were otherwise 

over looked and lost.

I honestly don't know why I put it off for so long 

because 

it looks great and it is so functional.

And, did I mention

I. Love. It.....

What do you do to keep your family organized 

and 

functional?

Leave a comment - they really  make my day....

You can follow me through Bloglovin, Google+, Facebook

and

Pinterest.

Leave me a comment - I love to hear from each and every one of you.

Until next time

have fun creating something you love....

Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.

Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there....

BeBetsy Smashingly Good Living @BeBetsy