"Anyone that doesn't agree with leggings as pants can physically fight me.
And I'm going to win because I have a full range of motion due to the fact that I am wearing leggings as pants."

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Custom Made Chalkboard Paint

One of the main things that Randa wanted to incorporate into her new bedroom was a chalkboard painted on the wall. We used Martha’s recipe which allows you to mix it using any paint color you'd like. It is really so simple to do and I love that I was able to match it to the color of the room.

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Materials
1 cup FLAT paint
2 tablespoons unsanded tile grout.

You mix them together and paint your surface. It came out well, with one modification. I used a paint roller to apply it. I found this to be necessary because I had a hard time getting the grout mixed in completely. It just wanted to stay all clumped up. As I stirred and stirred, it started getting thicker, but the chunks of grout remained. I was worried that the whole thing would harden up before I ever got it on the wall. So I just decided to finish mixing it directly on the wall. I rolled it on and then rolled over and over and over pressing firmly until all the clumps just got smooshed out. Does that make sense? It’s basically the way you’re not supposed to paint walls, if that helps clarify things.

I suppose if you had one of those paint mixer dealies that you can use with a drill that would probably solve the problem too.

Update #1-
I've since learned that if you mix the grout with just a smidge of water, enough to make a thin paste before you add the paint a bit at a time, that you won't end up with so many lumps.

Update #2-
Since the first update, I've learned that for some reason, mixing it with water actually seems to make the surface somewhat incompatible with chalk markers, which I have come to adore. Instead of mixing the grout with a small amount of water, it works best to mix it with a small amount of paint first. Breaking up all the lumps is much easier if you're working with a couple of tablespoons instead of the entire cup. Once it's smooth, mix in the rest of the paint.

Taping Tips
-To get nice straight lines, I taped up string first and then I ran the lines of tape.
-For the vertical lines I attached the paint can opener (or anything heavy) to the end of the strings to make the line plumb, then taped it in place once it stopped swinging.
-To get the rounded corners, I cut a piece of thick junkmail to the right shape and used it as a guide to cut pieces of tape on a self healing mat.

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(Joey was a big help.)

Other Tips
-I did clean the roller outside because I was none too keen to be putting grout down our pipes.
-We did two coats, which worked fine.
-After it dries, it's important to condition the chalkboard before using it, especially if you're using chalk ink markers. You can do this by rubbing the side of a piece of chalk all over the surface. I've found that using a big piece of white, sidewalk chalk is easiest.

I think this stuff works even better than the pre-made chalkboard paint. It’s certainly prettier. And the chalk wipes off very easily.

Yes, it's functional. Woo hoo!

We originally had plans to do all kinds of different shapes and colors on the wall, but in a moment of self-restraint, we decided to go with a single vine design pulled from the retro inspiration fabric. I drew it on with pencil, but Jenny was the pro that filled it in with paint. (I had some issues getting a completely smooth line.)

I love it.

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Related Posts-
Embroidered Shade
Baseboard Trim

8 comments:

MichelleB said...

I love it too! I love the color and stem detail. Very inspired. And thanks for all of the tips.

Anonymous said...

That is beautiful! I can't believe I let my husband bring home a can of regular old chalkboard paint. I'm guessing it's too soon to make him redo it...
Great idea and so pretty! I love the simple flower.

Jennifer said...

VERY cute! The design is wonderfully fresh and simple. I have one of those drill mixer things, and they do work well for mixing grout.

RunninL8 said...

I always thought of chalkboard paint in a kids room as that nasty lookin grey stuff~but Randa's looks AMAZING!!!!! What a great way to have a "quote of the day" in a room!
Thanks for the compliment on my dollhouse! It was hard to let it go!

Anonymous said...

I love the color! I would like to do something like that in Garrett's room (with a color that he approves, of course). You also posted something several months ago that I want to do. I had been trying to figure out a way to display all of his artwork and I liked the metal trim (?) that you painted and hung in Joey's room to use with magnets. Who knows when I'll get around to doing these things, but it's on my list. Melody

Riimus Fungus said...

What a great idea! Thank you for the tips!

dig this chick said...

We used Martha's recipe in our kitchen! It is great, huh? One thing I cannot find for the life of me is a eraser. I think I'll have to order one online and pay like $5 shipping for a 50 cent eraser. It is so sad that it all dry erase in the schools....I love chalk boards.

Jenn @ Frugal Upstate said...

Homemade chalkboard paint. I love it! What an absolutely fantastic idea!

Ok, lots of exclamation points. Can you tell I like it? I'm thinking I could do this with just old paint we have, on an old piece of plywood etc to be hung outside for the kids to draw on in the summer. . . then it would be almost free