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January 28, 2015 By Shirley

How To Make A Memo Board From Vintage Trays

I needed a memo board. One that I can see on my way out the door.

A board to remind me of things to do, things to get, and places to go.

One that is also for my granddaughter so she can leave us notes.

I did not want a typical framed cork bulletin board, or even a fabric one.

Painting the wall with chalk paint was out of the question as it is a narrow space

and would make it look smaller and obviously darker.

So this is what I came up with:

Vintage Tole Tray Memo Board-Housepitalty Designs

I had three leftover trays that came down when I hung an iron gate in their place.

They have been sitting in the corner of the sunroom until I had a plan for them.

Then came the epiphany . . . I love epiphanies!

Hallway - Housepitality Designs

I placed three tole trays on the wall that originally had a mirror on it that moved to the stairwell.

Tole Tray Memo Boards-Housepitality Designs

This hallway gets so many different shades of light that comes from the window

in the laundry room.

Tole Tray Memo Boards-Housepitality Designs

I located the bag of pretty magnets that I stopped using . . . no longer wanted to clutter the

refrigerator with notes . . . Glad I kept them!

Tole Tray Memo Boards-Housepitality Designs

I love the location of the tole tray memo boards as I can scan the notes on my way out the door!

No excuse for forgetting something now!

Tole Tray Memo Board-Housepitality Designs

A ready-made pretty background for notes!

Tole Tray Memo Board-Housepitality Designs

I reserved the bottom tray for my granddaughter as it is easily accessible for her.

She has field trip that Pop promised to chaperone . . . so a friendly reminder!

I thought about how I may clutter up a pretty tole tray; however, I think this a pretty solution

to something so needed . . . Beauty and function!!!

Have a great day!

And for those who were affected by Winter Storm Juno, I hope you are all well, warm and safe.

Today, I leave those who have snow to wander in, a quote from Chief Seattle, Suquamish 1786-1866

“Take only memories, leaving nothing behind but footprints!”

I will be joining these lovely ladies on Monday, February 2nd for the

Heart and Home Blog Hop!

Heart and Home Blog Hop

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Memo Board, Tole Tray Memo Board, Vintage Memo Board, Vintage tole tray 33 Comments

Previous Post: « How I Am Chasing Away the Winter Blues
Next Post: Galvanized in the Sunroom »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim says

    January 28, 2015 at 12:24 pm

    Cute epiphany!

    Reply
  2. Celestina Marie says

    January 28, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    Hi Shirley, Oh I love epiphanies too. Don’t you love when they strike?? Your tray idea for notes is terrific. Great way to display vintage pretties while being beautiful. Sweet little magnets too.
    Thanks for sharing. I might just have to paint some trays now from your inspiration!!
    Have a blessed day!
    xo

    Reply
  3. Amy Kaminski says

    January 28, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    Ingenious!!! Love it when that happens. So cute too!

    Reply
  4. Pinky at Designs by Pinky says

    January 28, 2015 at 1:27 pm

    GREAT idea!! I love epiphanies too!!!! Perfect solutions. So glad you didn’t paint that wall with chalk paint:) It is too pretty!!!

    Reply
  5. Anne@DesignDreams says

    January 28, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    That looks super cute!!

    Reply
  6. Dawn says

    January 28, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    How charming and the pins are a perfect addition. Brilliant idea:)

    Reply
  7. Des says

    January 28, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    Such a cute idea….I love it!!!!!
    ~Des

    Reply
  8. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    January 28, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    What a fabulous idea. I love this and so pretty too.

    Reply
  9. Nancy says

    January 28, 2015 at 2:57 pm

    Another great idea. I love using things for more than their intended purposes. My new fridge will not hold magnets. Bummer because I love to keep favorite pics of grandkids on there to look at often. So now I’ll be looking for pretty trays. Thanks again for all your ideas.

    Reply
  10. Pat @ Life At lydias House says

    January 28, 2015 at 3:04 pm

    What a great idea! I love your tole trays and this is a great way to use and display them. I had an old one from my mother but somehow it got put in the oven and the heat ruined the paint!

    Reply
  11. Sharon says

    January 28, 2015 at 3:09 pm

    Great idea, and so much more attractive than a cork board or cluttered refrigerator.

    Reply
  12. sHANNON says

    January 28, 2015 at 3:30 pm

    That is so darn cute, what a wonderful idea!!

    Reply
  13. Sonya M. Capps says

    January 28, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    Love the idea with the trays! Now–I want the cute magnets too. Can you remember where you found them?

    Reply
  14. cathy says

    January 28, 2015 at 3:55 pm

    Great idea. I may try to copy. I love the magnets. Hope you remember where you got them!

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      January 28, 2015 at 4:00 pm

      The magnets are made by Brighton, of Brighton purses, jewelry, shoes, belts, etc. I am a great Brighton store near me…

      Reply
  15. gail says

    January 28, 2015 at 5:41 pm

    Great Idea! I’m stealing it as soon as I can locate some tole trays.

    Reply
  16. Mary Alice Patterson says

    January 28, 2015 at 9:19 pm

    I love this idea, especially hanging these pretty trays right by the door! You’re a genius, Shirley!
    Mary Alice

    Reply
  17. Kelly says

    January 28, 2015 at 9:24 pm

    I think using those trays that way is such a good idea! I love how they look stacked together on the wall and how you can just add a note with a magnet too.

    Reply
  18. Betsy@coastal-colors says

    January 29, 2015 at 12:31 am

    I love this ideas! You have a beautiful collection of tole trays! Thanks for the awesome idea!

    Reply
  19. Design Chic says

    January 29, 2015 at 12:48 am

    What a great idea, Shirley and they look so pretty against the wall color!

    Reply
  20. Kris says

    January 29, 2015 at 1:18 am

    Shirley,
    These are so sweet especially the one for your granddaughter. Super cute.
    Kris

    Reply
  21. Donnamae says

    January 29, 2015 at 1:42 am

    Cute epiphany…and practical! I’d be lost with out post-it notes too! 😉

    Reply
  22. Donna Wilkes says

    January 29, 2015 at 1:43 am

    Well, I have the trays already hanging on the walls in several rooms. Never thought to add magnets and notes. Very lovely.

    Reply
  23. Mary says

    January 29, 2015 at 3:34 am

    What a great idea for your beautiful trays. The magnets are so cute!

    Reply
  24. Jann Olson says

    January 29, 2015 at 4:16 am

    Shirley, I love this idea! Really looks beautiful on that wall and like you say, functional as well. I have a set of t.v. trays that I bought at a thrift. They are shaped like your middle one and white with a similar floral. I may just have to make me one of these. Super cute!
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
  25. Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says

    January 29, 2015 at 4:21 am

    Those epiphanies usually hit me while I’m in the shower!!! Love your stacked tray memo boards! Such a clever idea and I will be on the lookout for some of those!

    Reply
  26. Mary W. Ferguson says

    January 30, 2015 at 8:31 am

    What a great idea – I have notes all over the place and then I can’t find them. So glad that you had the epiphanie and shared it with us. I have a very old Coke tray that would work so well – now where did I put it – LOL
    Have a good weekend end Shirley.
    Mary

    Reply
  27. Pamela says

    January 30, 2015 at 1:48 pm

    Beautiful & functional! What a great use of the trays. Can I ask how did you hang them?
    Oh, the basket magnet looks like a Longaberger basket. I have a few of those myself!

    Reply
  28. lorb says

    February 3, 2015 at 12:59 am

    What a fantastic idea and the magnets are so lovely too…

    Reply
  29. Mary says

    February 3, 2015 at 10:23 am

    Love your beautiful tole trays Shirley functioning as memo boards ♥

    Reply
  30. Tone on Tone Loi Thai says

    February 3, 2015 at 11:03 pm

    Another fun and original project you’ve come up with!! So easy, too. This one I can totally do. Thanks, Shirley!!!

    Reply
  31. grammygoodwill says

    February 10, 2015 at 1:40 pm

    Wonderful idea. I love how the trays look. How did you hang them?

    Reply
  32. Joan Didak says

    November 24, 2018 at 6:59 pm

    I love this idea. I have several antique metal trays. How did you attach the trays to the wall?

    Reply

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About Me

Hi I’m Shirley and I am here to share my love of classic interiors, french country style, my passion for flowers and making our home, The Hickory Cottage, a warm and hospitable home for family and friends.

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