Hello IC friends! I am feeling a tad better. Thank you for those of you who sent me “get well” wishes. We are entering a crazy weekend though…we are watching 5 kids all weekend. Some of you with 5 children are probably like, “oh geez, cry me a river.” But for this mom of two, it will be crazy town.
So this is what I have been working on in between blowing my nose.
My original inspiration was this Junction Paper Holder from Ballard Designs.
Photo Credit: Ballard Designs
At a mere $159 it was about $142 out of my price range 🙂 Theirs is made of metal…mine is made out of MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). So this is how my vision came to fruition…
Supply List:
3/4” MDF board
1” Wood Screws
1/4” x 2” boards (2)
3/8” nut
two knobs
rescued shelf or some korbels and wood shelf
primer
paint
1” x 4” board
2 L brackets
7/8” dowel rod
Paper Roll from IKEA
Hook and Loop Tape
Gorilla Glue
Electric Drill
Various drill bits
Level
Drywall screws (capable of holding 50 lbs)
I found two of these shelves laying curbside. I really don’t know why someone would throw them away. They really were in great condition. So being the Roadkill Rescue hero that I pride myself in I threw it in my car for that “someday” when it would be made into something fabulous.
Well the day came. I first unscrewed the hangers from the back.
I went to Home Depot and purchased a piece of 3/4” MDF. I think it was around $8. I had them cut it down to 22 1/2” x 34”.
Using the same hole on the back of the shelf I measured and marked those holes onto the MDF and predrilled my holes.
Using a 7/8” drill bit I also drilled holes into the side of my curbside castaway. This is where the dowel rod holding the paper roll will sit.
It is a perfect fit for a 7/8” dowel rod purchased at Home Depot as well.
I wanted a little shelf at the bottom to hold crayons so I cut a 1” x 4” board down to 22 1/2”. I also cut two 1/4” thick x 2” boards to 22 1/2” in length for the paper stoppers.
I purchased some L brackets to hold the shelf and predrilled those holes as well.
I also had these little knobs from who knows what that I decided to use on the end of the dowel rod. I secured hook and loop tape to one side (using Gorilla Glue) so that I could remove the knob when I needed to change out the paper. And glued the other knob on the other end.
Then I primed and painted everything including the screws and four 3/8” nuts. I used BIN Stain Blocker and Krylon Black spray paint.
Then I attached the shelf to the top of the MDF board.
Then I predrilled through the 1/4” x 2” x 22 1/2” boards. I used 1” wood screws and put a 3/8” nut between the boards to serve as a spacer so I could slide the paper underneath.
Attached the bottom shelf…
Slid the paper roll in place…
And added my hook and looped knob onto the other end…
Then using a level and some heavy duty drywall screws I attached her to the wall.
It hangs on the wall in between the playroom and the kitchen.
Then I let the little artists loose.
Work of art wouldn’t you say?
Then when they are done you just rip the sheet off and start over. It is a much better storage spot for the rolls of paper rather than the top of my fridge. 🙂
