Old Magazine Rack Turned Into A Portable Office

It's that time again...where some of my favorite blogging friends and I show you what we found at the thrift store and how we gave each piece a new life! We have some new ladies who have joined our team and you are going to love them! I'll introduce you right after I show you what I transformed this month. So, I didn't really find this month's project at the thrift store. My mom and sister brought this jewel home from my Grandmommy's house. At first, I said that I didn't want it, then I decided I could probably use it for something, so I brought it home and put it in my garage. About a week ago, I was cleaning up my living room, and most of the clutter was my work stuff...you know, laptop, pens, glasses, a notebook and my planner. I have a space in the breakfast nook where I can work, but I end up working in the living room in the evenings while we watch tv and hang out. I decided that I needed a container that would hold all of my "stuff" so it wasn't lying all over the place, and remembered that I had brought home the old magazine rack. It was perfect...except ugly. And I just don't do ugly. So, I decided to paint it and turn it into my very own portable office!

So, here is what I started with! Didn't everyone have one of these? Maybe you still have one. The great thing is that you can update it a little if you like!

I started with a coat of chalky paint, and realized that it needed two coats instead. I painted two coats on with no sanding at all. That's the joy of chalk based paint...it sticks to everything!

I wanted a little extra detail, so I used a Paris stencil to add a little frenchiness. (Frenchiness is a word, right?)

I did sand it in a few places at the end, then waxed it to lock in the paint so it looks nice and smooth and won't chip. I placed a small pen holder to corral my pens and glasses and placed my laptop right beside it. Then on one side I added my notebook, calendar and a book I'm reading.

I can grab it and take it wherever I feel like working, whether it be in the breakfast nook, kitchen, living room, my bedroom or even my patio! This is a great way to keep your laptop and work stuff organized if you don't have an office too. You can add some folders to one side too. You can find old magazine racks at just about any thrift store or yardsale. Heck, you may have one in your bathroom that you could use! I hope it inspires you to get your office stuff organized too!