DIY Command center Part 4: Supplies holder

Are you forever looking for a pen or a push pin? Maybe some chalk or a paper clip? I AM!! I don’t know if my kids see them and think they are toys or what, but they disappear like disappearing ink in my home! That is why I have designed this beautiful farmhouse command center that includes a supplies holder. So I always can find the supplies I need when I need them. Read on to see how to make one for your home.

Today, I will show you how to make park 4 of the command center. The supplies holder.

Let’s get started. Here’s what you’re gonna need.

Supplies:

2 pieces of old pallet wood measuring 12″ long (1×4’s will work too)
2 pieces of old pallet wood measuring 6.5″ long (1×4’s will work too)
**I actually cut all of my pieces from 1 long piece of pallet wood so the width and style would be the same throughout the whole piece**
wood glue
brad nailer or staple gun (with correct size nails or staples)
wood stain & gloves
palm sander
sand paper or sanding sponge (I used 120 grit but any will work)
tape measure
pencil
level (optional for hanging)
2 long nails to hang your supplies holder & hammer
3 clear plastic containers I like the clear so I can see when I need to restock
copper push pins/tacs
chalk
pen/pencil holder
8×8 sign
key holder

Step 1: Building your supplies holder

You want to lay out your pieces of wood so that you can decide which sides you want on the outside of your supplies holder and what edge you want showing on the front of your holder. Lay them out accordingly, short pieces on the sides and long pieces on the top.

After you know the layout you want for your supplies holder, you are going to assemble it. Take 1 side (short) piece and 1 top/bottom (long) piece, put some wood glue on the edge of the short piece and line up the long piece on the short piece and nail together. Make sure the sides are flush with each other in the front and back and side.

Glue and nail the second short piece to the opposite end of the top/bottom (long) piece. You should have an “n” or a “u” shape piece at this point. Now you are going to glue the last top/bottom (long) piece to the exposed ends of the short pieces to complete a rectangular box. Squeeze some glue on both ends of the short pieces. Line up the last top/bottom (long) piece so it is flush on the front, back, and side and then nail into place. Now repeat with the other end. This end might need a little manipulating to get it to line up correctly (especially if you have used reclaimed wood). Line all sides up as best as you can and nail into place.

Step 2: Staining your supplies holder

After you have built your supplies holder, you are going to stain the entire piece. I used the color Provincial, but you can use whatever color best matches your home. Read this tutorial on how I quickly stain my projects to decrease dry time.

How to stain with an old towel

Let your supplies holder dry for about 24 hours before antiquing. If your holder is not dry enough then you are going to gum up your sand paper and you won’t get the finish you are looking for.

Step 3: Antiquing your supplies holder

Your stain should be completely dry by this step, otherwise you will go through an insane amount of sand paper and you won’t even get the look you want. So make sure it’s dry.

You want to sand the front, sides, and edges of the entire holder. Hold the sander flat on the surface. Sand with the grain of the wood, back and forth. The more you sand, the more the stain will be removed and the natural wood will show through.

Tips on sanding:

Using a palm or hand sander is going to make this step much easier and faster, but it is not required. This can also be done by hand.
If you use a finer grit, you’ll get a softer look. You can use a coarse grit, it just is not as smooth and delicate of a finish. I prefer to use 120 grit.
Practicing on the back is a great idea until you get the hang of it.

Sand the entire piece until you have the look and finish that you like and then brush off all the sawdust.

Step 4: Hanging your supplies holder

When you have your supplies holder stained, sanded, and all the saw dust is cleaned off, you are ready to hang and use it! This piece is very simple to hang. You’ll want to gather these supplies:

a pencil
2 nails
a level
your supplies holder

Decide the placement of you supplies holder on the wall, holding it with one hand, place the level on the top and adjust accordingly. When you have the location you want, use your pencil to mark a small visible dot on the inside top corners of the supplies holder. After you have marked the corners, take everything down and nail a nail into the wall at both marks. Don’t hit the nail all the way in, you want at least 1″ poking out of the wall to hold the supplies holder on it. When you have the nails in place, hang the supplies holder on them.

Step 5: filling your supplies holder

Now that you have your supplies holder hung, you want to add all of your supplies! This was probably my favorite part of this project! Open the clear plastic containers and place them inside the supplies holder. Fill one with the push pins/tacs, and fill another with the chalk. In the last container, I have paper clips and paper clamps, but you can use it for whatever you want. That is something I can never find when I need so I decided that is what I wanted in the last container. Arrange them in whatever order works best for you (I wanted my chalk closest to my chalkboard). Now open your pen holder, find all your favorite pens and put them in it and you’re ready to go!

I do love the little 8×8 frame as a little accent piece. It’s a simple item you can change out regularly to decorate for the seasons! Here is a tutorial on how I made my 8×8 frame.

DIY 8×8 farmhouse frame

Now that you have a supplies holder, you should never run around searching for a pen or a paper clip again! You will always know where they are and see when you are running low.

Let’s create something great! -Brandee