All posts tagged: magnetic wall

The Open Plan Work Space – Final Reveal

Published by Karen Knox

Here it was pre Loft Extension. In our box room, which was less than 2 x 3m. It was the perfect spot for me to set up Making Spaces HQ. It really wasn’t big enough to be a bedroom. In fact it wasn’t really big enough to warrant its own door, so we took that off over a year ago anyway. Top Tip. If you’ve got a door you never ever close, get rid. Give yourself another square meter of space instead. And a better view. And more natural light. Go on. Our 1960’s, 3 bed-semi had a very traditional layout, pre-build. Our plan was to incorporate the small, box room into the landing area, so it looked something like this: If you’ve been following the build, you may remember we were sacrificing our box room in order to accommodate the staircase of our dreams. You can read more about that over here. The plan was to keep our landing open plan, light, spacious and my office would simply sit exactly where it was before. I do …

The Magnetic Wall – Pt 3 – Final Reveal

Published by Karen Knox

Just over a month ago, I introduced you to a playroom re-design I was working on in collaboration with Thistle Magnetic Plaster, by British Gypsum’s “Rooms Made For You“. The plan was to transform the room overlooking the rear garden into an interactive family space. A room that connected the large, recently completed living space to the great outdoors. Part II, was all about the magnetic plaster going up on the wall, what it was like to work with, how it dried and what was next on the plan of action. Here’s a brief visual catch up… It was now time to start getting the mural i’d planned up on the walls. I’d sourced some designs for the decorator and with the help of a projector, the design went from a 2D image on a screen up onto our magnetic wall. In two days, the room was transformed from a cold white square room to a warm, light, creative space filled with colour and extra special detail. Three window blinds were fitted into the window recess by …

My concrete wall

Published by Karen Knox

As you may remember, I’m currently running a project involving magnetic plaster. The decorating, design and finishing for that project begins tomorrow, yes on a Bank Holiday. That’s what you call commitment. Thistle Magnetic Plaster, by British Gypsum’s “Rooms Made For You” I mentioned in that latest post how much I LOVED the colour of this magnetic plaster when dried. A most gorgeous concrete colour with subtle detail and organic nuances in tone. I also mentioned I was going to have one of these magnetic, concrete coloured walls of my very own. My exact words; “It shall be MINE.” I wasn’t lying. I’ve always been drawn to industrial, raw and stripped back design. My dining room wall has been like this for years. I stripped the wallpaper right off, seven months pregnant, a week after moving in… and left it. Much to everyone’s confusion. Now you can easily pick up effect wallpapers that mimic this exact look, I wrote a post about that over here last year. Anyway, back to the magnetic wall…. What I didn’t mention …

The Magnetic Wall – Pt 2

Published by Karen Knox

Remember the playroom re-design I introduced you to a little while ago? The one using Thistle Magnetic Plaster, by British Gypsum’s “Rooms Made For You”? Well, we’ve had a visit from the plasterer. Before – On a cold and moody Thursday in March, the room emptied and sheets down Behold. The Magnetic Plaster. The maker of magic. Both the plasterer and I sat down and watched a short video on how to use this specialist plaster. It’s pretty much the same as normal plaster, with a couple of slight variations. So definitely worth checking out before you get started. The wall was primed Plaster was mixed until “thick and creamy”. Perfect for scones. A very satisfying first coat going up. You know how I love a black wall. And first coat left to dry for a little while A steady finishing off with a plastic trowel (no water) and it was time for a trip to the sandwich shop. Nom. Preparing the second mix, ready for coat number two. My go-to plasterer, hadn’t worked with magnetic plaster before, and he’s …

The Magnetic Wall – Pt 1

Published by Karen Knox

Huzzah! A new project has landed and it’s gona be a good ‘un. I’m re-designing a playroom. Always fun. AND getting to try out some Thistle Magnetic Plaster, by British Gypsum’s “Rooms Made For You” range. Double fun. Pic – Rooms Made For You Heard of Magnetic Plaster before? No? Well let me fill you in. “Thistle Magnetic Plaster is a gypsum finish plaster for use on a wide range of backgrounds. It provides a smooth, inert, high quality surface which attracts magnets to internal walls and ceilings, and a durable base for the application of decorative finishes.” It’s got so many uses; for display, work, playing and learning. A Magnetic Wall instantly gives any space a whole new lease of life. Here’s the plan for the playroom. The Playroom It’s actually attached to my recently completed Sherwood Forest project. And you know how adventurous that was. Triple fun. The playroom, which leads on from this newly re-designed living room wasn’t meant to be done for a little while. Understandably, the homeowners wanted a break from house-y stuff …