Downton Abbey Inspired Butler’s Bell Memo Board

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By now, you know I’m a little bit obsessed with Downton Abbey. (Well, pretty much all British TV – Sherlock, Call the Midwife, Mr. Selfridge…)

So, is it any surprise that the TV show that inspired a bloggers’ meetup also inspired today’s craft project?

When Suzy and I were planning the Hometalk N.C. Bloggers Meetup, I found an article about Downton Abbey-inspired decor on Style at Home.

Photo via Style at Home

When I saw this butler’s bell wall plaque from Blackbird Vintage, I knew I wanted to make my own version for my, ahem, staff here.

A quick trip to the craft store and some rummaging through the garage, and I found everything I needed to make my knock-off version of a butler’s bell call box where I can leave notes for my own Mr. Carson.

Here’s what you’ll need to make one:

• Wooden plaque from the craft store
• Metal bookplate label (I used the Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery Adhesive Metal Bookplate)
• Round doorbell button or craft brad or button (I used a brad from the scrapbooking section of the craft store)
• Brass ring pull drawer pull
• Bulldog clip
• black paint
• drill
• E6000 glue

To make my butler’s call box, I simply spray painted all my components in flat black.

I drilled two holes in the plaque and attached the drawer pull. Then, I used the E6000 to attach the brad  button — the butler’s bell — to the center of the hardware. Next, I glued on the bookplate and used a screw to attach the bulldog clip to the bottom of my plaque.

Once the glue had dried, I sprayed the finished project again with another coat of black paint to cover up any chips and to disguise the screw.

This fun little craft is great for leaving quick notes to the staff, I mean my family.

Because you never know who might show up for tea…

…like these lovely ladies from Downton Abbey. (That’s me, playing dress up with my friend, Suzy of Worthing Court, during our recent Downton Abbey tea party.)

While I’m waiting for the next season of Downton Abbey to air (oh, how will Mary live without Matthew?) I’ve been getting my BBC fix by watching another British period drama — Call the Midwife.

I’m hooked on it, as well. But so far, I haven’t created any Call the Midwife-inspired crafts. (Wonder if Mason jar enema syringes would go viral on Pinterest? After all, people love anything with Mason jars!)

Until then, this will have to suffice…

Linking to

Project Inspire(d) at Setting for Four