I’ve been working on updating my work-space, hence the recent organization and storage related projects. Besides that, I’m a fan of organization, judging by how the Container Store makes me squeal and shown by how I’ve already put up multiple tutorials related to boxes (I love boxes).
What I love even more is keeping it all affordable. No one out there doesn’t like spending less, right? So instead of shelling out for a designer magazine file, I went with a blank slate and decorated it myself. *Cue IKEA entrance doors opening with beam of light shining through*
I got the IKEA Kassett magazine file pack in white. I only wish the hardware came in gold, but that’s okay. We can do something about that.
I applied painters tape around the hardware, including along the inside edges at the opening, then covered all the white surfaces with aluminum foil. This is a bit of a pain, can’t lie about it, but if it’s gold you want, it’s tape you must do.
After spray painting the hardware with Rustoleum gold spray paint
I initially wasn’t going to paint them because taping around them would be more trouble than I thought it was worth, but then I realized they were the size of a regular hole puncher. So I punched a hole in a piece of paper and used it to spray paint each stud one by one. It didn’t create the cleanest paint job, but I’m still pretty proud of that move!
Removing the tape was a slow and careful process since I didn’t want to risk ripping the magazine file surface, but I made sure to peel the tape back as horizontal to the surface as possible and all turned out well.
Next, I drew on the design with a Sharpie.
A major benefit of these squiggly lines is that they don’t require any type of precision, so they’re hard to mess up. They’re also pretty fun to draw, and the process is oddly soothing.
Finally, I spray painted the remaining silver hardware, which thankfully came separately from the magazine file.
I sprayed all sides and after they dried completely, I secured them on the magazine file corners.
All done! It’ll be storing my BHG magazines, which by the way, I have no idea how I got the subscription and I’m sure I’m not paying for them. Not complaining.
Oh yeah, I also got a Kassett box pack. Told you I love boxes! The label plate conveniently came separately, but everything else I had to tape and spray paint the same way I did with the magazine holder. Hopefully I’ll show them displayed once I’m done updating my desk area ;).
I’m pretty sure I’ll renew my BHG sub whenever this one’s over, but other than that I’ve never really subscribed to any magazines. This makes me wonder… Do you have any magazine subscriptions? Or has the internet made them obsolete? Maybe you could recommend a magazine I might enjoy checking out!
These turned out so great! I’m always drawn to your black and white projects….I love the combo too! HGTV magazine is also amazing!!
adorable as always!
Amy these are great!! Pinning :)
xo, Tanya
The magazine holder and box look so chic!!
Awesome!!! I also love boxes and have a stash to upcycle! You have inspired me!
Beeeeautiful! I love this. I love your aluminum foil technique. Gotta remember that one. I subscribe to House Beautiful and HGTV magazine (but haven’t got that one yet). They are really so cheap. And there is something awesome about areal in your hands magazine.
Love the gold accents and the handmade feel! As for magazines, I have a subscription to Real Simple, but it’s getting harder and harder to keep up with them!
I’m trying to reorganize my work-space too. I’m actually thinking of completely remodeling one of our spare rooms into my home office. I really love what you did with these magazine holders. So fun!
Love these! :)
Cool idea
What a great idea! It came out looking awesome! :-)
You did it again! Love it!
Whaat! How on earth did you score a free BHG subscription? I randomly receive ‘Parenting’ magazine or something, which is essentially useless since I don’t have any children. Love your idea with the magazine holder! I have the Kassett boxes but didn’t think to update the design. I sense a perfect job for my gold sharpie :)
Love those! I have some boring Ikea magazine holders, too….hmm…..thanks for the ideas!
I love this!!! Awesome pattern!
Alot of times they offer buy one subscription send one to a friend. One of your friends or family members more than likely had it sent to you.
Wow, you did an amazing job! I’ve been wanting to give mine a facelift! Would love you to link-up and share your project at http://partypatisserie.com/2014/02/linky-party-join-the-fun/
How simple and STUNNING is this transformation?! I just love, love, love it. Pinning.
OMG love, love these!! Thanks so much for linking up at Thursday STYLE! I just pinned. My office NEEDS these beauties!!
These came out great. Definitely going to try something similar when I redo my office space. As for the magazine subscriptions, I’m still a very old fashioned girl and yes, I love turning those actual pages. I have tried to get into the digital versions, but it’s just not the same and I feel like they are often more expensive than the mail version. For home magazines I’m a big fan of Elle Decor and HGTV.
Wow! These are beautiful magazine holders! It does sound like a lot of work to spray paint the metal, but the results are outstanding!
I love Martha Stewart’s magazine– always fresh idea’s and helpful how to’s. And I know it’s a catalog– but I love my Pottery Barn Magazine for ideas and inspiration too!
I love this! These look way better than plain Kassett boxes and they look expensive too!
Great idea and love the pictures! Coming over from TT&J.
So amazingly stylish and glam –and I expect nothing less from you! Pinning for sure! Thank you so much for linking up at the Super Saturday link party!
:) Linda
What an easy way to update! Might have to try something like this for my office.
Fabulous! I love visiting office supply stores too!
When I first saw this design, I assumed you used a print, but your method is so quick and easy with such a great result! Thanks for sharing!
This turned out great! I don’t know if I would have the patience to tape everything off and spray paint it but it looks fabulous!
I saw these on pinterest and was in love then when I clicked on the image I realized these were your creation Amy! Fabulous as always!!
Congrats! You are featured on this week’s Do Tell Tuesday link party and have been pinned to our features board! Feel free to grab a button and link up this week too. :) http://www.vintagezest.com/2014/02/do-tell-tuesday-10-with-features-co-host.html
Diane @ Vintage Zest
Gorgeous Amy!! Your sketchy sketches and gold always look soooo beautiful together. You have quite the way of making really simple things stunning. Love this! Have a great week:)
Real Simple is the BEST mag – love it.
Super cute! What an amazing, inexpensive transformation. I think your subscription was supposed to come to my house! ;)
Feeling (positively) jealous… going to purchase Kassett mag holder and boxes (+gold paint and a Sharpie) right now… Thanks for sharing the tutorials !
I absolutely love this. I tried to do the same thing with the Ikea magazineholders, but used montana gold instead with their metalprimer. But it scratches right off! Contacted their support and they said that sanding it before spraying is ideal. Well, I can’t be doing that with those small pieces and can’t get rustoleum here :( So how does the paint stay on yours? I could just scratch with a nail and it left a mark showing the silver underneath. Maybe that’s how it is for everyone and I’m just demanding too much?
Hi Katarina! I haven’t tried scratching at mine, and to be honest, I avoid doing the “scratch test” on anything that won’t be undergoing scratching on a regular basis, and in general don’t spray paint things that are going to be abrasively worn out like that. Something I like to use for extra protection sometimes is a few light layers of clear acrylic spray as a top coat. For me though, this felt unnecessary on details as small as the ones on these magazine holders, so I held off on it, and they’ve been doing fine. If you really need them to be scratch proof, try the acrylic spray!