Monday, January 30, 2012

A Chalkboard "Wall"

This post was written a few days ago, but automatically set to post this morning. Other than this, we will probably not be able to respond to any emails, FB posts, or any other things for a couple of days. We ask that you please keep our extended family in your prayers.



I have been in love with all of these chalkboard walls I have seen over the last couple of years. One of my FAVORITE ones by far is Jennifer's over at The Old Painted Cottage.  Anyway, as much as I wanted one I couldn't figure out where we could put one. Because we live in a townhome that has a pretty open floorplan we just have a few huge walls and not a whole lot of smaller ones. Because I couldn't find a wall that would work, I pretty much just gave up on the idea for a while. Then recently I thought it couldn't hurt to try it on the end of our island cabinets. It was the perfect spot for Lillie to be able to reach and draw on. So, we gave it a try! At first we painted the end near the dining room (those are the photos shown in the step by step part) but when you walked through the front door you immediately saw it and it was a bit jarring. After starting at it for a week or so it just kept driving me crazy so I ended up painting back over it and hanging the IKEA rod with the basket and painting the other side with the chalkboard which I like so much better! 

Anyway, here is how we did it:

First, find a fun little helper and get some chalkboard paint. We got ours at Ace Hardware but I am pretty sure you can get it about anywhere. Then we just used a paint tray, a little mini roller, some tape and little brush.

Then we taped off the trim and put down a towel.

And then we started painting.

And in case you think that the photo above is just for the blog take a look at the first coat - haha!
Once she went to bed I added a second coat to "clean it up" a bit.

In the end, though, we ended up painting over it entirely and we painted the other side instead, which I like so much better!





And here is the other side which we painted back over and added these IKEA rods to.



I hope you all are having a splendid Monday!


50 comments:

  1. Great place for a chalkboard. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

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  2. Jenni your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

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  3. I love yor chalkboard. I too would like to put some chalkboard paint somewhere in my house but can't find the right spot. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Take good care!

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  4. I LOVE it Jennifer, your kitchen looks so pretty! Keeping your family in my prayers.

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  5. Your Family is in my thoughts and prayers!
    Love the chalkboard. That's an awesome place to put it. i would of never thought of that. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Prayers and loving thoughts. God Bless.

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  7. Hope all is ok jen, sending thoughts and prayers to your family. Love the chalkboard but not as much as the little rod and baskets!

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  8. I love the chalkboard idea and was going to do it on our pantry door, but we found out we are moving to Minnesota so the chalkboard paint will have to wait!

    Hope everyone is o.k. and you are in my prayers.

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  9. I love chalkboard paint! I love the Ikea hardware too. We just got an Ikea in Denver.. I need to get over there more! laura

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  10. LOVE IT! You have the best handwriting! Will be keeping your family in my thoughts.

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  11. I'm keeping good thoughts and sending prayers to you and your family, Jennifer. Love the chalkboard and your little helper is darling. A big hug to you.

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  12. LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Can you please just come decorate my house?!

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  13. Love it! I know your little ones will as well. I also like the verse you have written up there. It's so good to know that in the midst of trials and troubles. I don't know what the problem is, but I will certainly be praying. May the Lird bless you! Gail

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  14. Looks wonderful!! Praying for you all....God is in control.

    ~*Jessica

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  15. I am so distracted by the prayer request. I am praying right this second for your family, Jennifer. Hope things go well.

    I do love the chalkboard though...it is fun!!!

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  16. such a beautiful chalkboard wall, will definitely be praying for your family!!

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  17. What a great idea...love your kychen darling and uour little princess......praying for you and your familly darling....xxx...

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  18. Hi i’m Heather! I have a question for you! Please email me :)
    HeatherVonSJ[at]gmail[dot]com

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  19. Very cute! I hope your family is okay, they're in my thoughts!

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  20. Where did you get that rug I need it for my kitchen!!!

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    1. Hi - I checked with Jenni, and the rug is from IKEA.

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  21. Your girls will love that! Our old kitchen island was backed with a hideous fake wood-grain panel and we covered that bad boy up with blackboard contact paper, pronto. All 3 kiddos got much use out of it for 10 YEARS :)
    Prayers coming your way.

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  22. Remembering your family......" I can do all things (and bear all things) through Christ, who strengthens me"
    Lorraine

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  23. Prayers for you and your family. God Bless You!
    Love the chalkboard idea and will forward to my daughter. It would be great for her kids. Blessing from Above. lin

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  24. I will have your sweet family in my prayers too. Your chalkboard is cute, and the perfect height for Lillie to have some fun!

    Cindy

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  25. i hope everything is ok, you are in my prayers. Love the chalkboard wall!
    XO
    Kristin

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  26. You will be in our prayers.
    Rebekah

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  27. hope you and your family are ok, will keep you in my prayers. looks darling Jenni! susan

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  28. Chalkboard is great! Love it! Saying prayers for your family...

    Lou Cinda

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  29. Well done - love your kitchen and the board.

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  30. This is a great place for a chalkboard wall for kids. Thanks. Praying.

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  31. Such a great idea... I have the perfect "endcap" for this!

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  32. Beautiful pictures and such a perfect chalkboard! Sending good thoughts and prayers for your famIly. I am a new(er) reader of your blog and am loving it so much.

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  33. Jennifer, I am holding you and your entire family close in my heart and my prayers this night.

    Sending you love and hugs,
    Anne

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  34. Jenn, love the chalkboard cabinet. Lilly will have fun with that for sure. We are thinking of painting a dining room wall for the kiddos.
    Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. XOXO

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  35. sending prayers your way. love the chalkboard as well

    mc

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  36. Praying for you and your family! May Jesus be with you all! Belinda

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  37. Of course we will pray and keep you in our prayers. Enjoy your blog, and
    want you to know how much you are a part of my daily life, checking your blog
    seeing pictures of your precious family. Although we probably won't ever meet
    you are a friend, and worth my concern.
    Blessings to you and your family.
    Debbie

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  39. what a clever idea!
    You suprise me every time!
    I adore your Kitchen and all its details!

    Pearl

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  40. Praying the Lord is very near to you at this time...

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  41. I love the chalkboard and wish I could write on one like you do.
    Keeping your family in my prayers.

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  42. Jennifer, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  43. That is the cutest thing ever!!! I love where you decided to put your chalkboard paint! It is precious and so is your beautiful words and lettering!! Love it!

    ♥Lee Ann

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  44. We check everyday to see if you are back knowing the longer you are gone the more we miss you and Lillie and Lola and the more we send our thoughts of good wishes your family's way. God Bless you all.

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  45. Jennifer, I've followed your blog for a while and loved what I've purchased from your shop. Had NO idea you are Patty's niece. This post was so timely in light of the tragedy that has hit your family. What a privilege to join your family in prayer and B's funeral was one of the most amazing I've ever attended.

    I worked for the H's in college and also babysat R and L before B was born.

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  46. LOVE this idea and especially the location. Great to jazz up the kitchen and for kids to have a play space too!

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  47. Where did you get you kitchen canisters? I'm looking for some like that!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Rhonda - I checked with Jenni and she got them from someone as a wedding gift from William Sonoma.

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