Here is my Wal-Mart bulletin board that I purchased for my office. I think it was about $7.00. I wanted to make it fit my style and decor better. Just because it’s a functional piece doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be a pretty piece also, right? First, let’s remove the Board Dudes rubber sticker, shall we? (Sorry it’s sideways!)
I then stained, yes stained, the cork my favorite…Dark Walnut by MinWax. This took two coats, cork is thirsty stuff. Apply the stain with a sponge brush. Allow it to soak in and dry overnight. Then, apply the second coat of stain and allow it to dry before adding the ribbon detail. 
1.) Use a colored stain for a kid’s room (wouldn’t bright red or navy blue look so cute in a little boy’s room?)
2.) Paint the frame to coordinate with the piece of furniture it’s hanging over.
3.) Use a decorative cording instead of ribbon & twine. You could even use a thick border like upholstery webbing.
4.) Try applying a gold or silver leaf to the frame for an upscale look.
5.) Paint a border in a complimenting color to the frame instead of the ribbon.
I hope this project inspired you! Please show me if you use this technique to make over your bulletin board.
I’ve spotted a few makeovers I love for Furniture Feature Fridays, but please send me an e-mail if you have one you’d like me to consider. Make sure you check back and get to work on your furniture pieces to get ready for my first link party!
Does a glue gun count as a power tool? That’s such a girly question, but I’ve actually used nail guns, chop saws, and other tools you have to wear cute eye protectors to use! I’m participating in…
30 Responses
This looks 100 percent better and so like not Walmart!! Good job, Miss Mustard.
I am showing a tiny table I just repainted. It's always surprising how just a coat of paint can make something into something ELSE !!
I am looking forward to this new link you are talking about…is it like furniture makeovers or just what??
xo bj
Amazing!
So I just became your 200th follower! Yay I would like to have 10…ha ha! Love the idea for the bulletin board. I have a giant one out in the garage, my daughter found laying around the University, just waiting to be made over!
This is a wicked cool idea. Did you just put the stain on and let it sit? How long before you added the next coat? Did you wipe any off? Can you tell I'm getting ready to do a corkboard project? Am I asking too many questions? :o)
I absolutely agree ~ functional can be pretty, too! Love the way your corkboard turned out; never would have thought of staining it.
This looks great – I must admit I had my doubts when I saw the first coat of stain – it looked so smeared – but the finished product is definitely you. Way to go – love your blog.
I never thought about stain! I covered mine in fabric for my office and added nailhead trim. I love yours! maybe I'll do this to my other one!!! I find my at the goodwill for like $2-$3 all the time
great idea! looks great!
I love it when I learn something new. I would never have thought to use stain either! I've painted the cork many a times but never stain. Love it!
Miss Mustard Seed, I'm going to do you proud and go strike out on my son's bare ugly bb in the playroom. And I have just the perfect ROPE to rough it up some. 🙂
Thankyouthankyouthankyou!
Donna
What a great idea….I would never have thought to stain the cork…
Blessings,
Spencer
great redo!
i love it – didn't even know you could stain cork – will be a fun project to try!
Much better! It's beautiful now. I had no idea cork could be stained…wheels are turning. 😉
Great job!
Roeshel
Looks fabulous!!!
Another fun way to makeover a cork board is to apply burlap over the cork. I love the look of burlap, and since it has a wide weave the push-pins can come out without leaving their mark! LOVE your new board btw!
-Grace
I am SOOOO going to try this!!
Great job! I love the name of your blog, by the way.
blessings,
Traci
Great makeover! It looks terrific.
Stained cork??? Right up my alley…I LOVES IT!
What a great idea to stain cork! Your board looks so personalized now! Love the twine…gets me every time!!!! Thanks so much for linking up tonight! ~Ashley
Oh Yes… a glue gun SO counts:) Love this!! Thanks for linking up and can't wait to see more of your "magic" 🙂
~Whitney
I love this! I wonder if painting cork would work? I have one just gathering dust.
Looks great!
looks beautiful!!! Love it!
Oooh, why didn't I think of that. I just decorated some plain wal-mart cork boards and didn't think of staining them. I have a can of Antique Walnut stain too!
Your bulletin board looks fantastic!
I had no idea you could stain cork. I love it! I am so doing that on my bulletin board!
I'm just a humble jewelry designer from NY who is trying to get used to all this stuff!
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