Thursday, July 14, 2011

Chalkboard in my kitchen.

Oh my word, I am so excited! Last night, I finished one of my favorite projects for the house so far – the chalkboard wall! Some of you who have been reading the blog from the beginning might remember way back when I detailed my plans for the kitchen with a mood board. Well, those plans included what I consider the “special sauce” for my kitchen, the chalkboard wall. This was my original inspiration picture…


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And here’s what my kitchen looks like today with the newest chalkboard addition…

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We bought the chalkboard paint long, long ago when we picked out the River Reed wall color. This little can of paint has been taunting me & calling my name since February! But, since we planned to install new countertops and backsplash, I was patiently waiting until those phases were completed first. Well, with the lovely news of the unexpected, hefty basement fixes that out savings account is facing, I decided I didn’t want to wait any longer {cause who knows when we’ll save up enough for the counters now!}

So, two nights ago, I tried just ripping the side piece off with a crowbar and eventually realized it wasn’t gonna happen. Then I got smart & unscrewed the countertop from below and then pried off the side piece relatively easily. {Duh.}

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After that, I went to work repairing the wall.

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Oh what ugly boomerang countertops we have. I mean, seriously?!

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After the spackling dried on the wall, I sanded it smooth, taped the edges of the wall, & giddily began applying the Valspar Chalkboard paint {recommended as the best from the handy folks at Lowes.}

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The paint went on smoothly, even though it was slightly thicker than your normal wall paint. I used a brush for the whole area {mainly cause I was lazy and hate cleaning up rollers.}

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The picture below is what it looked like after the first coat {blurry cause it was about 10:00 pm.}

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I followed directions like a good little girl and waited 24 hours before applying the second coat of paint.

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Then I removed the blue edging tape, touched up where it was a bit messy, and stood back to admire the black beauty!

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These are all late-night pics because I was pretty pumped when I finished.

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The pic below is what I’m dreaming of – our green tile mosaic backsplash & shiny new butcher block countertop {a little darker than than the wood below.} Oh love it.

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I had to add some doodles, lists, and scriptures to break in the new chalkboard. So here’s some pics from this morning.

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Good news, I still love it. :)

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It’s so me. I love that I can write happy reminders to myself {and Eugene} so that every time I go to the kitchen {which is a ton} I get to smile. :)

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And, I think the black compliments my appliances well, and it also coordinates really well with my black kitchen table.

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And it wouldn’t be a good kitchen update if I didn’t remind you where we started. Um, apples & bird houses ring a bell?

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Gotta see a side by side comparison…

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Looks a smidge different now, huh! You can hardly even notice the wretched boomerang countertop and ugly faux brick vinyl flooring. ;)

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I’m in love with my chalkboard wall. Hope you all like it too!

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Linked to:

House of Hepworths
The Shabby Shic Cottage
Thrifty Decor Chick
Remodelaholic
The Shabby Nest
Lolly Jane
Tatertots & Jello
Family Ever After
Six Sister’s Stuff
I Heart Nap Time
C.R.A.F.T.
DIY Showoff
Polly Want a Crafter
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Domestically Speaking

30 comments:

  1. Wow, what an amazing transformation, so far! You've done a lot of work! What a fun chalkboard wall, that's great. It will look fabulous with that lime green tile - so cool!

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  2. Nice and clean transformation. Very inspiring.

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  3. Love it! Turned out beautifully :)

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  4. I love this! I had planned to paint a chalkboard wall in my sons room when we move but never thought to put one in the kitchen! You are so creative and good at completing your ideas as well!

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  5. I love it !! How very fun! I hope you don't mind, you've now inspired me to paint a chalkboard wall in my kitchen :)

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  6. Can't wait to see the countertops and backsplash once you complete it!! I love the wall too..

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  7. Thanks for the kind compliments, all! I'm glad others love it like I do! :)

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  9. I love this. Yay for chalkboard wall and love that it is not overwhelming. I am a new follower!

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  10. Wow, your wall is awesome! I've been wanting to paint our garage door with chalkboard paint, but I'm so nervous, great inspiration! Found you on Remodelholic.

    I would love for you to link it up at my weekend Link Party, Once Upon a Weekend. Today is my first-ever party, and I am so hoping someone will participate! :)

    Here's the link if you're interested:
    www.familyeverafter.blogspot.com

    Also, if you have a list of favorite link parties, I'd love to be included on Fridays. Thanks a ton!

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  11. wow! what a difference! i love chalkboard walls...i painted a wall in my kitchen too. :)

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  12. That is awesome! We would love for you to come share this at our "Strut Your Stuff Saturday" link party! http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/2011/07/strut-your-stuff-saturday-week-2.html

    Love,
    The Sisters @ sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com

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  13. That looks so great! What a transformation!!!

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  14. wonderful and fun to have a chalkboard wall. I love the green glass tile very much also ! wow that would be spectacular
    KAT Griffin

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  15. I love it! great job on the after too! What a transformation! I found your blog through a link party and LOVE it! I am your newest follower and would love it if you would check out my blog and follow me too! Thanks!
    -Nikki
    http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/

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  16. LOVE this!! The kitchen looks amazing already! Chalkborad paint just makes everything better, doesn't it?!?

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  17. It looks fantastic!! The butcher block countertops & green tile backsplash are going to look great too!! Great job on your kitchen remodel! Wow! What a difference!! Stopping by from the Sundae Scoop!

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  18. That is great! It looks wonderful, rich and interesting. I love that green tile, too.

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  19. What an absolutely adorable DIY! Well done.

    I hope that you will stop by and enter my giveaway.

    Happy Monday!

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  20. This is such a timely post for me! I just used the same paint in our playroom on Sunday and love it. However, when I erased the chalk with water and a rag it dried and then left a chalky shadow I can't get rid of. Trying to figure out how to get it back to the original black color! Have you tried erasing yet? I'd love to know what results you have and if maybe I just didn't let the paint cure long enough.

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  21. SO COOL! You have great taste in kitchen design, my dear! In my old house I painted a few of the cupboards in chalkboard paint...and EVERYONE complimented it! GREAT JOB!

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  22. Lisa - I haven't had a problem erasing anything yet. I just used a damp kitchen towel and the chalk wipes off well. There are still slight lines left (like all chalkboards), but I pretty much expected that. I still like the wall a ton! :)

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  23. it looks awesome! your kitchen has come along way and is adorable!
    we have a chalkboard wall in our kitchen, too, and let me tell ya, the kids just looove it! and it is so handy for making our grocery list or writing down messages!

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  24. Thanks for letting me know. It looks great! :)

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  25. Your kitchen is beautiful! The wall is great! I would love that in my house! I would fill it with fun inspirational quotes like you have to help you have a good day. Thanks for sharing the great idea! We are your newest followers. Thank you so much for linking up to Strut Your Stuff Saturday- we would LOVE to have you come back tomorrow and link up more of your great posts!
    -Camille @ The Six Sisters
    http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com

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  27. The chalkboard wall looks great, and so do your cabinets. Almost a 50's inspired
    kitchen. With all that great stuff I can't believe you don't like your boomerang countertops.
    With some stainless edging they would look fantastic and fit right in with your appliances
    etc. There's nothing juicier than boomerang and lots of shiny metal. Give it some thought,
    plenty of us who love the mid modern look pay good money for those countertops.
    Just a thought and Happy Renovating.

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  28. Oh god please don't remove the countertops! They are gorgeous and very expensive to get nowadays!

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