My Chalkboard Obsession

Did you know...

…that there is such a thing as chalkboard paint?  And that it’s the coolest thing ever?

Painting a wall (or part of a wall) with chalkboard paint is one of the most fabulous things I’ve ever seen.  I can imagine, with tons of use and erasing, that the chalk dust would be a mess to clean up.  Let’s set that aside for a moment while I talk through my fantasy.  The finished look, however, is both parts dramatic and totally useful, especially in a spot like the kitchen where you can use your wall for grocery lists, dinner menus, messages, and as a general place to keep the kids busy while you try to get a meal cooked.

Feeling really ambitious?  Mix different colors of chalkboard paint and create squares for different days of the week, members of your household, or lists.

Feeling shy?  Just paint a single square of your wall, the back of a door, or the inside of a kitchen cabinet.  You can still get the great blackboard look without a huge hassle or commitment. 

Don’t need a full gallon of chalkboard paint?  Planning on using it for smaller projects?  Try chalkboard paint in a spray version.  Just be sure to use it outside or in areas where there is no danger of it getting on other things that you don’t want instantly turned into a writeable surface.

For the REALLY non-committal, have no fear.  These vinyl chalkboard sheets can be adhered to a wall easily and – the best part – are removeable and repositional!

Did you know...

…that there are plenty ’o places to buy old-school, basic chalkboards right here in Massachusetts?

Did you know...

…that there is a huge trend with turning all sorts of things into “blackboards”?  Now that people see that they can be used to make the cutest accessories for entertaining, help to keep you organized, and even as style statements, chalkboards are the new design craze.

“Blackboard” oilcloth is actually a fabric, but it can be written on with chalk and then wiped clean.  This makes it a fantastic, versatile craft medium with a ton of different uses, like for these coasters (above). 

Even simple paper can be turned into mini-blackboards.  Simply swipe them with a brush (or spray) of paint, let them dry, and you’ll have yourself a surface you can turn into a card, stationery, or gift tags.

Anything you can personalize makes for great entertaining goodies.  And it’s even better when you can simply erase and use them again for your next set of guests.  These blackboard napkin rings may be a little pricey, but you’ll be able to use them over and over again.

Storage bins and boxes painted with chalkboard paint make an easy and cool-looking way to stay organized, and give you the flexibility to re-name them as the contents change.

Chalkboard jewelry?  Absolutely.  Paired against silver or white gold, the black color looks great and is, at the very least, a definite conversation-starter. 

Did you know...

…the original blackboards were made from sheets of thin, dark-colored slate stone?  You can steal this idea today with a trip to your local garden center.  Use the slate as a platter for hors d’oeuvres and write the names of what you’re serving. 

Your piece of slate can also be used to create a perfectly-sized message board.  Simply drill two holes at the top, slip a heavy piece of twine through, and viola!  Hang it anywhere you need to be reminded of anything or where you simply want to pen a cheery greeting.

Did you know...

…that chalkboards are art?  Meggan Gould’s “Blackboards” series contain photographs that are both stunning and a bit haunting, and the simplicity of (and lack of people in) these shots really puts these normally overlooked pieces of - equipment, really, in a whole new light.