Chalk It Up

I find the use of a chalkboard in the home to be stylish because it's takes something functional (a visible place to quickly capture notes) and puts it to a new use (out of the standard classroom and into the home).

What you might not know is that creating your own homemade chalkboard couldn't be easier or more affordable.

In my Newport, KY home, recently purchased in August 2011, I found myself with a sizable blank wall in a large kitchen. Because of the wall's placement, adding a table or kitchen island against it wasn't really an option because it would block the walkway into the space. So, I decided to chalk it up!

START WITH...
The wall space (or any other flat surface) where you want to create your chalkboard. Decide how large you want your custom chalkboard to be, then measure the outside lines (square or rectangle).

THEN...
Head to your local hardware store. You'll need...

• chalkboard paint
• a paint brush
• white crown moulding
• small finishing nails
• blue painter's tape
• and a very small container of white paint (either craft paint or indoor flat finish)

And, this list assumes you have a hammer at home!

Here's what I recommend for the chalkboard paint and crown moulding. At my local Home Depot, the store staff cut the moulding to my measurements and even put an angle on it so when mounted, the corners were flush.

Chalkboard Paint:
http://www.homedepot.com/Paint-Spray-Paint/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xilZapz5/R-100141287/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051

Moulding:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202081495/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

NEXT...
Prep your surface as the chalkboard paint instructs. Then, using the small finishing nails, nail your moulding to the wall (or flat surface), keeping in mind you might need a level and an extra set of helping hands to ensure straight angles.

After the moulding is put up to make a square, use the painters tape to cover the edge of the moulding INSIDE the square...because now you have to apply your chalkboard paint.

FINALLY...
Apply the chalkboard paint, following the can's instructions for letting it dry or adding multiple coats. The final touch is covering those finishing nails with the white paint (by either washing out the brush and reusing it or using a small craft brush).

Here's my result:

Check out my homemade chalkboard with paint and pre-cut trim from Home Depot.

But don't stop at the walls...check out how this special paint can transform nearly any flat surface into a chalkboard. Here's a photo from Martha Stewart "Living" magazine that gave me this idea years ago.

Image from "Chalkboard Paint," Martha Stewart Living, January 2007.

And, here's one for a stylish cheese plate to help guests identify what they're eating - how great is that?

Posted to my Pinterest board: http://pinterest.com/natemoster/

Don't forget the chalk!