Today is Day #2 of the Rock Your Knockoff Fall Tour – where my friends and I all recreate expensive pieces from stores like Pottery Barn, Ballard Designs, Anthropologie, etc. for a fraction of their price. (Scroll to the bottom to see other knockoffs- more will be added every day this week!) I made my own DIY burlap message board, inspired by Ballard Designs’ board HERE.
The board on the left is 33″x20″ (Medium) and is currently on sale for $65 (reg. $89). The price has now increased to $99. Ouch!
Heck, I knew I could make this myself for much cheaper!
Supplies:
- Cork board (mine is 23″x35″) – $9.99 at Target (or free if you already have one at home)
- About one yard of burlap – $2.50 at Hobby Lobby after coupon (reg. $3.99/yd)
- Decorative brass tacks – Free since I already had some leftover (otherwise $1.99 at Hobby Lobby)
Total: about $13 (I rounded up)
The directions are almost too easy – first, cut your burlap so that there’s about 3-4 inches longer than the cork board on each side. (Iron if needed.) Fold the edges over the board and staple on the backside with a staple/upholstery gun (I got mine from Hobby Lobby a long time ago- it’s inexpensive and necessary for upholstery projects). Read more about upholstering HERE.
After your burlap is stapled, measure and hammer your tacks in place.
Easy peasy, right?
And so much cheaper than $99 (ahem)… especially since you can do this project in under an hour!
Please visit my friends’ projects below for more “knockoff” inspiration!
Jen
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
That is awesome Jen!! What a difference (savings!!) in price too! Love it!
Nancy
Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
Great knock off, Jen! Love the look of the burlap and nailhead detail!
BeTh says
Jen this is so pretty! I think yours is even better than the Ballard version. I’ve gotta make one of these. 🙂
Great job!
Beth
Leslie @ House on the Way says
Such an awesome knockoff! Love it! This tour has been so much fun!
Paula@SweetPea says
I think I have everything I need to make one of these, I just need to check on the upholstery tacks. A plain cork bulletin board is so boring and yours knockoff would be elegant in any room of the house. I definitely like your price better than Ballard Design’s!
Hope Williams says
The cost difference is astounding! I guess these companies have to ship the bulk products over seas, pay labor over seas and then ship it back here. THEN, they have to ship it to each one of their stores!
Yeah, I just thought that. lol
;-))
Wendi @ H2OBungalow says
Jen…You rocked it! Love the burlap board..so much that now I have to make one too! Sharing 🙂
Tami @ Curb Alert! says
Man, only $13! How stunning and classic it looks. Well done jen!
~Tami
Shanna Gilbert says
Great knock off Jen! This could in in just about any room in the house!
Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio says
Ooh I love anything burlap Jen. Your knock off rocks! I want one now. Love the nail heads too.
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
Jen,
This turned out fabulously!!! I so need a couple of these in my office! ~Christy
Dria says
Awesome job Jen! I love burlap and have seen these in the stores but love the idea of making my own. Thank you for the fantastic inspiration!
Abbey says
Love this Jen!! We carry burlap too (starting at $1.51/yard) No coupon required. 🙂
Jen says
Abbey, thank you! I will definitely remember that for next time. 🙂
Cyndee says
Did you do this over a canvas?
Jen says
Hi Cyndee, this is over a cork board as shown in the photo above. It won’t work over a canvas because it won’t hold push pins.