Did you know that you can make your own custom color chalkboard paint? I tried it out and not only is it inexpensive and easy, it actually works!
Before I tackled a wall or some other large, obvious surface, Mark convinced me I decided to test it out on something more easily fixable. This table and chair set was the perfect choice.
Not only will our younger children love to being able to write on the top, it desperately needed to be refinished anyway AND I already had this great dark brown paint left over from painting our accent wall in the dining room.
All you need is paint in the color of your choice. Flat is preferable, but I used satin and it turned out great. You also need unsanded tile grout.
- Mix 1 cup paint with 2 T. of the grout in a small container. Be sure to mix it thoroughly.
- Apply paint to the prepared surface with a roller or sponge brush.
- Do at least 2 coats to be certain of full and even coverage.
- When dry, smooth with 150-grit sandpaper.
- To condition rub side of chalk over the whole area and then wipe with a barely damp cloth.
After an afternoon of painting here is the finished product:
Now why didn’t I do that earlier?
While I had everything out, I decided to try it on the inside of the doors on our school desk. It worked.
Now I have the perfect place to write homework assignments and best of all it is hidden when guests come over.
Has anyone done this on a wall? Will I regret the amount of chalk dust it creates? How easy is it to clean a large area?
UPDATED: I painted a whole wall with this paint. You can now read about our chalkboard wall, how it turned out, how we use it and my answers to the above questions.
Want more “Works for Me, Wednesday? Visit We Are THAT Family or check out my other WFMW posts.
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That’s cool! The desk looks great!!!
Laurel
mama of 13
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Do you mind if I list your blog on my bloglist? I want to read yours regularly.
Thanks!
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Kimberly Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Roan,
Absolutely! I would be honored. Thank you.
Blessings,
Kimberly
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Kimberly,
I have had chalk boards in my house for a long time. Everyone always recommends dry erase boards, but with young children it was not an option for me and my nice walls!! My youngest has Down syndrome and doesn’t quite understand the difference in a crayon, marker, pen, or chalk on wall surfaces, so having a chalk board and chalk readily available has always been a great mix! Great job!
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Kimberly Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Thanks Bobbie Lynn.
How is the dust and cleaning the wall? I’m thinking in my dining room, so it would be visible whenever we have guests.
Blessings,
Kimberly
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THAT is extremely cool!
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That is awesome!
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Very resourceful! The closest I’ve come to something that creative was painting a checkerboard on an old endtable then clear coating it.
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Neat idea! I’ve always love the idea of chalkboard paint. =)
~Kate
“Which Proverbs 14:1 Woman?”
http://proverbs14-1.blogspot.com
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I have often thought of using chalkboard paint, but never thought of putting it on a table. Cute idea!
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I painted a (small) wall once with store bought chalkboard paint. It turned out OK, but it wasn’t very smooth. The kids loved it. I put it in my scrap book room so my kids could be with me and guests would not see it. Yes, lots of chalk dust, but you vac anyway, so I didn’t stress.
I am going to try your tutorial in our new house. Thanks for the tip.
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wow I had no idea you could do your own paintcolor this way. I love the table and chair idea. Now I will have new ideas for garage sales this spring. great tip.
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This is great! My sister in law has a chalk board wall that she painted and her kids love it.
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So creative! Thank you for sharing.
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I posted something about a year ago on how to get the best results from your chalk – which goes nicely with your post. Chalkboard chalk tip I wish I would have known about making my chalkboard a different color when I was painting my whole wall – but maybe next time.
I love chalkbaords and chalk.
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I know you posted this back in March, but I just found you and came to this particular post. I wanted to show you my chalkboard on my wall. I LOVE it! We use it all the time. Here it is in it’s latest state. http://haffnewie.wordpress.com/2009/06/04/activity-board/
I really like your blog and will be back!
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Raising Olives Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Your chalkboard is beautiful. I finally painted the wall in our dining room with the custom color paint. I hope to post about that soon. If there is no writing on it you can not even tell it is a chalk board.
Blessings,
Kimberly
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I am getting ready to re-do a room for 3 of my kids, and I like the ability to custom-color the chalkboard paint. I’m going to do the closet door in brown to match the room colors. I also plan to do a table top for the kids to use out in the garage.
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why didn’t I think to paint a kids table in chalkboard paint? I’ve painted a wall, but not a table!!! Love it. I’m linking at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com (I got a lot of hits from your rain gutter bookshelves!)
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While I don’t have small children who would appreciate having a chalkboard table, etc., I know what I am going to do with this. Paint the insides of several of my cupboard doors. For jotting items for my shopping list, for listing the menus for today’s meals, for phone messages…
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Cool, The desk is GREAT!
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I will have to try this on some jars!!! Thanks, Kim
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This is so cool. Do you mind telling me what “2T” is?I think I have the grout in the attic!!
Ferg
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2T is 2 Tablespoons
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Great idea. Please take a different picture as your show and tell photo of the chalkboard wall. The present one has a small f to start the word Friday.
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:26 pm
That is the way that I write a capital F.
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this is perfect for my new obsession with chalkboard paint. that stuff is EXPENSIVE!! thank you thank you
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
I’d love to hear how this compares with the “real” stuff.
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That is amazing!!! I have been seriously considering painting my son’s sliding closet doors with chalkboard paint, but I always balk because of the cost and the fact that it has to be black. This is the perfect alternative.
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