Idea Paint Turns Your Surface into a Dry Erase Board

Idea Paint turns any wall into a whiteboard.
Saw this video on YouTube while doing research for the house.
Thought that the idea was good for the study room.

It's kinda expensive though, at minimum US$150 per paint bucket. Ouch!

There's quite a lot of bad reviews of the product and customer service too. 

Click here for more.

Home Improvement Series - White Magnetic Marker Board

I had an idea to use the vertical or aerial space that I had

from the back of my wardrobe in my current bedroom.

I wanted to put a magnetic board that I could pin stuff like

postcards, bills, small notes and nice pictures on it.

Some inspiration pictures from the Web:

In addition, it would be great if the magnetic board could also be used as a white marker board.

I started searching on the web on where I can get something similar to those pictures.

Here are the shortlisted finds:

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1. Steel Magnetic Board from Ikea Singapore - S$24.50, 37x78cm

2. Steel Magnetic Board from Amazon - Various Price for Different Sizes

3. Magnetic Board from CB2 of Crate and Barrel - USD39.95,  23.5"x23.5"x2"

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1.Steel Magnetic Board from Ikea Singapore

Product Name: SPONTAN

Product Description: Magnetic board, silver-colour

Price S$24.50  |   Size: 37x78 cm

Source: http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/20164076/

There was a cool Ikea Hack on  for this Magnetic Board.

Basically "Crystina, Saint Paul' painted the Magneitc board with chalk paint.

So the board can now be scribbled with Chalk and still be magnetic.

Cool Hack!!!

Source: http://www.ikeahackers.net/2011/05/spontan-magnetic-not-markerboard.html

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2. Steel Magnetic Board from Amazon

Product Name: Muro Magnetic Board

Product Description:

Blomus stainless steel magnetic board is great for home or office organization. May be hung horizontally or vertically. Magnets are also available as an option to coordinate style/color.

Price: Various   |   Size: Various

Source: http://www.amazon.com/Blomus-Magnet-Board-75-115/dp/B00008W6D6/ref=pd_sim_hg_4

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3. Magnetic Board from CB2 of Crate and Barrel

Product Name: Magnetic Dry Erase Board

Product Description:

White powdercoated galvanized steel square marks to-dos,

magnets pics, then resets a clean slate.

Magnetic black dry erase marker included.

Price USD39.95  |   Size: 23.5"x23.5"x2"

Source: http://www.cb2.com/magnetic-dry-erase-board/s214437

Conclusion

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In the end, I went with the Amazon product mainly

because I preferred the different dimensions the manufacturer offered.

It would fit better in the space I needed.

Thinking back, I think I would have bought the Ikea version as the shipping fees were kinda hefty.

Oh well.

Post Problems with the Steel Magnetic Board

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The thing with the Steel Magnetic Board that I bought.

I assumed that I would be able to scribble drawings on it with my white marker pen and rub it away.

But little did I know, the ink markings were really hard to rub away.

I had to use a make-up remover to remove it.

I did not want to reach for the make-up remover every time I scribbled or drew something wrongly.

It takes away the whole fun of the spontaneous and random thoughts flying through my head as I'm drawing or penning down ideas.

So I was stuck with this issue for quite a long while, until one day I managed to figure out a quick fix.

Tip and Hack

How to make a magnetic whiteboard wall

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If you were like me, and faced problems with

trying to erase the white marker ink on your magnetic board.

You can simply buy a screen protector.

You know, those used for your mobile screen or pc monitors.

And get the screen protector in a huge dimension and stick it over the board.

It's a 5 minute hack.

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Step 1: Measure the dimension of the magnetic board.

Step 2: Buy the screen protector.

Step 3: Stick the screen protector on the magnetic board.

And you're done!

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This solution works as the board still remains magnetic and

you can write and wipe whiteboard marker drawings on it.

And the best thing is, the screen protector is cheap, hardly noticeable and removable.

Tip: A4 Sized Screen Protectors cost S$2 at the Daiso Shop.

Random:

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While researching on this,
I chanced upon glass magnetic boards with the same white marker writing abilities.



They looked much nicer actually. More sleek and professional looking.

But it comes with a much heavier price tag that I am unable to afford.

Might be good for offices though. 

 

I found a cheaper one for home usage on the Crate and Barrel site.

Product Name: White Glass Magnetic 17.75" Wipe Board
Price: U$$22.95
Source: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/white-glass-magnetic-17.75-wipe-board/s258779

But I was afraid that during shipping, that the glass will break.

It would likely be more costly as well.

So I abandoned the idea altogether.

• Umbra Talk Magnetic Chalk Board
• S$60.00

Home Improvement Series - Space Saving Furniture Exploration

Chanced Upon a site that has some real great samples of
Space Saving Furniture
while randomly browsing on the
Stumble Upon Windows 8 Browser App.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.itsdamncool.com/category/furniture-interior-design/furniture/

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Here are some excerpts that I loved!

1. Cabinent + 4 Chairs + 1 Coffee Table

You can keep the chairs and table away and have clear open space. 

Simple take it out again when you need it the next time.
Looks like it's pretty nifty and perfect for games like cards, scrabble, board games and mahjong!

Cool colors. Definitely keeping this in mind for the entertainment room.

2. Fold out convertible desk
Southern Enterprises Fold-out Convertible Desk, Winter White

Think it's great to be placed ay the doorway.
That area is not really utilized once the door is closed.

How could be a cool small coffee table in a small kitchen.
Or maybe if you wanna do business in the toilet?
Muhahaha...

3. Convertible Sofa into 2 Bunk Beds.

Perfect for Guest Rooms!

Will it rust if you don't use it for a long time?

And how sturdy is it?

Will it snap back into a sofa in the middle of the night?

http://www.bonbon.co.uk/clei/doc.htm

4. Stair drawers

The stairs can act as seats and storage.

It also creates the illusion of height and space when placed in housing with only 1 storey.

Random insert here:

Mario Furniture!

http://www.neatorama.com/spotlight/2010/03/08/mario-furniture/

Just because it's cute. 

For more information, please visit:
http://www.itsdamncool.com/category/furniture-interior-design/furniture/



 

• [As seen On Tv] Little Black Dress Jewelry Organizer . No Messy Watches Jewellery Jewels - Tidy your
• S$3.49

Home Improvement Series - Kitchen Exploration - Cement Kitchen Cabinets

Been toying with the idea of using cement as one of the key building blocks of my kitchen.

Theme: Modern concrete living space.
Here are some inspirational pictures below.


I love this concept of concrete + cottage style brick with steel appliances.

 A cement counter area which I love!

 

This is a more harsh and sharp usage of the cement kitchen theme. Too stark for my liking.

This picture looks more acceptable because of the flowers, fruits, greenery and wood panels. Otherwise it's quite stark as well.

Nice and sturdy cement kitchen island.

Hmm, it's possible to do up a cement sink too?! Wrapped around cabinet with cement frame and counter top.

I think the contractors need to prepare the cement on the ground itself to set it.

It's probably too heavy and the size and shape might not fit in the lift.

Some pictures to illustrate how cement blocks are constructed:

-->

Vertical Cement slabs are placed first.

I see some rods and wood panels that form the circumference to contain the wet cement for the counter top.

 Smoothing the concret..

After it's dried...

 Before:

 After: Adding white tiles

 And granite countertop

From Ikea Hackers: DIY Cement Framed Cabinet Structure + Ikea Cabinets

 From the picture below, it seems that it's possible for the cement idea to be seamlessly integrated with the wall, with additional cabinets within the confines of the cemented framed cabinets. Cool..

Cement can be painted in green too it seems.

Other option I found on the web: Staining Cement:

http://designnsuch.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/prepping-to-stain-concrete-in-the-kitchen/

Her final look:

http://designnsuch.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/kitchen-tour/

Loving the hidden electrical outlets on her island table!

 More Info on building a concrete kitchen worktop and frame:

http://tropicalpenpals.com/blog/building-a-concrete-kitchen-worktop-and-frame/

Current thoughts:

Thinking of not having any upper cabinets.
I will have one run of lower cabinets and 2 small islands.
The cabinet base will be made of concrete, to keep out the bugs, as there will not be any gaps.

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Other new jargon I learned from this research

"Masonry Cabinets"
Definition:Masonry Cabinets are outdoor storage units made of either cement blocks or a metal frame that’s covered in decorative stone, brick or stucco veneer.

While harder to install and often more expensive than other outdoor cabinets, they are extremely resistant to weathering and provide a really “built-in,” customized appearance to your kitchen.

Loving the Counter Tops:

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Random:  This is a pretty cool look too. Exposed grey bricks + White Cabinets + Steel Counter Tops and Appliances for the kitchen.