Back to School

I love chalkboards. I mean I really, really love them. I’m not exactly sure wear this deep appreciation for them comes in to play, but every time I see a chalkboard used in some amazing design scheme, I can't help but want to create the exact same thing in my own home. I did some research and discovered that making your own chalkboard is an incredibly simply project. And this isn’t one of the projects where someone tells you it’s easy but then throws 30 indecipherable steps your way. This one is actually easy. Here are the steps:

1. Pick the surface you want to turn into a chalkboard. This can be an old picture frame, a wall in your home, a piece of furniture or even your refrigerator.

2. Sand (to the best of your ability) your chosen surface and then wash it clean.

3. Apply chalkboard paint to the glass. 2 coats. A few hours apart.

4. Let dry for 3 FULL days before using. And then, after a quick conditioning, you’re ready to go.

See how easy that is? Here's what mine looked like during the process...

I decided to use a picture frame I bought at a garage sale for $2. I took out the glass, made pathetic attempts to “sand” it and then just made sure it was really clean. I used a mini – foam roller and rolled on a coat of the chalkboard paint. I waited 4 hours and then reapplied a second thin coat. After 2 more hours, I put the glass back into the frame and set it aside to set. After 3 days, I conditioned my board (by using a piece of chalk sideways to color it all in and then erased it) and started using my new chalkboard. A few days later, I put some painters tape on the inside of the frame (on the chalkboard) and painted the outside of the frame with some basic acrylic craft paint from Michael’s that I had around the apartment. The color I used was holiday red. I even used the same roller I used for the chalkboard (I wash it after each use) and just did a couple of coats on this to give it a little facelift. While it began as dingy, stained and barely white frame, it has turned into a wonderful chalkboard in our home. Here it is being used daily next to our kitchen (sorry for the so-so photo quality):

Here’s a final list of the supplies you’ll need to do this:

- clean, dry surface

- chalkboard paint (I used Rust-Oleum's but you could also make your own)

- mini foam roller brush

- acrylic paint (optional)

The entire project took less than 20 minutes (not including drying time), was about $5 if you include the price of the garage sale frame and the portion of chalkboard paint used, and we use it for everything. Josh and I write notes to each other, keep countdowns and use it for other general reminders. I am currently on the lookout for a more ornate, bigger and vertical frame to make a chalkboard out of for the den. I feel like you can never really go wrong with a framed chalkboard. And at such a low cost and easy skill level - I don't think there's any reason not to make your own! Am I the only one who feels this way? Anyone use chalkboard paint anything other than the glass in a frame? Or has anyone used the Rust-Oleum dry erase board or magnetic paint? I'd love to hear from you!


PS. I linked this up to 320SycamoreBlog's Under $10 in Under 1 Hour Party!