Pastimes
Chalk it Up
to Creativity
By DeDee Birdsall
NO MATTER WHAT YOUR DECORATING STYLE, THE CHALKBOARD WALL IS ONE
of the most versatile home décor trends today. Perfect for creating accent walls with loads
of character, it’s affordable, adds instant drama to any room
and is an awesome way to foster family creativity.
Instagram, Pinterest and Houzz are loaded with ideas from
kitchens to entryways to playrooms, but don’t stop there!
Add chalkboard paint on backsplashes, butler pantries,
create a family message center in a central location of
your home and more.
Cleverly applied chalkboard paint means you’ll have
new places to add gentle reminders to the family,
make grocery lists, or just doodle and draw. You can
also think outside the box and plan special messages
or designs, or leave it blank to display artwork when
not in use.
Chalkboard Paint vs. Chalk Paint
Your first lesson in adding a feature wall is purchasing the correct paint. Chalkboard paint is
different than chalk paint. Many people mistake these two mediums and often use the terms
interchangeably; however, they’re actually quite different and produce very different results.
Unlike chalk paint, which is often used on furniture and is named for its matte, chalklike fin
ish, chalkboard paint does exactly what it sounds like: turns any surface into a chalkboard. It
can be found at large hardware store paint departments and craft stores in classic colors that
include black and green, as well as specialty hues. Magnetic chalkboard paint is also an
option; it’s the perfect alternative for home message centers and playrooms where you want
to attach items to the wall.
Wipe the Slate Clean
To get started, take a walk around your home and find the best place to add a chalkboard. Once
you’ve found the perfect wall, the rest is as easy as rolling on the paint. Tips for success in clude:
• Choose a smooth wall. Textured walls make it difficult to write on and are less than ideal.
• Choose your right paint. For our wall, we purchased RustOleum’s 30 ounce Flat Black chalk
board paint from Home Depot for under $10. You’ll see chalkboard paint in aerosol sprays
as well, but keep in mind this is best used to transform smaller surfaces such as windows
and old doors.
May/June 2018
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