Dear AT,
Is there such a thing as an attractive whiteboard? What I really want is a whiteboard for my entryway to write messages on, but that also has pockets for mail. Help!
Thanks,
B.
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B.,
How about something like Pottery Barn's Daily System? You can choose from various modular components like whiteboard, chalkboard, corkboard, whiteboard calendar, letter bin, postman cubby. Even better, they're on sale.
Pottery Barn also has this Message Center.
Another option, if you can do without the whiteboard, is Three by Three's magnetic magazine pocket & memo board.
Any other ideas, anyone?
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Do you have to have a white board, or can you go with a chalkboard? I think chalkboards look cool and a lot better than whiteboards. They add interest and complement the decor, plus chalk is a lot cheaper than buying those markers (and if you have kids, chalk is easily removable).
IKEA'S JAGGA - magnetic whiteboard with clock and mail slots.
The Container Store has these clear dry erase boards. (click my name to see them). You could use separate wall pouches for mail if you wanted to.
~Monica
Thing is, you can use almost ANY slick surface as a whiteboard. Glass is probably best, but really anything will work--just test it to make sure the markers will erase.
I keep meaning to try the markers on my fridge (unobtrusive location as a test), but haven't gotten around to it.
I have two in my office--I took posters that had a small image but a lot of blank space, and framed 'em in glass. They work great and look really cool.
I got the idea from this guy who needed huge whiteboards for dungeons and dragons and tested a ton of surfaces:
http://rumkin.com/reference/whiteboard/
btw, they now make whiteboard markers that have tiny eraser sponges on the tip--i like these a lot b/c you don't have to have an eraser hanging around.
I have the clear dry erase board from the Container Store (Umbra). It works well, except they sell it with four little squares of adhesive, which don't hold it up (I mounted it on the glass window of my office door at work). I ended up getting a roll of clear mounting adhesive and putting a strip across the entire top and bottom, and that finally held it up.
When I was in grad school, I kept a mirror with a deep frame and a dry erase marker in my entry way. I used it to write notes to myself so that I would see them as I did a quick face/hair check before heading out the door. I don't do that anymore (I think my life is less hectic outside of school), but my sister still keeps dry erase markers next to her hall mirrors.
I have finally found a seriously attractive whiteboard: The Pottery Barn "Framed Frosted Glass" Whiteboard alternative.
link: http://snipurl.com/1a463
call number: 11-8479438
I found an old -- and large -- 6-pane window (chippy paint and all). I tacked on a piece white-on-white print fabric to the back and now I have a whiteboard. I use regular whiteboard markers on the window side and it works great. The marker wipes right off -- no streaking and no nasty smelling white cleaning needed.