From Salvaged Mirror To Chalkboard
August 17, 2010
There’s this skinny little piece of wall in between my pantry and microwave that I thought was desperately in need of a memo board. I’ve always wanted a little chalkboard right there so I could remind myself of what I needed to pick up at the grocery store that week.
My problem was that I couldn’t find anything tall and skinny with character to fit that narrow patch of wall. Also, there’s a meddlesome electrical panel inside the pantry, which restricts any decor in this space. But then I spied an old wood framed mirror with chipped paint at the local salvage yard. I decided to give it a makeover, and repurpose it as a little chalkboard in my kitchen!
Here’s my sweet little salvaged mirror turned memo board !
The layers and layers of chipping paint were pretty awful, so I decided to get down to the bare wood by stripping it all off with some Citrustrip.
You can read my previous detailed adventures in stripping paint with Citrustrip right here.
Based on the grooves in its side, I determined this mirror was actually a double hung window converted to a mirror at some point. I gave the window a quick coat of gray paint because I thought I wanted to do a distressed look with gray undertones, but then changed my mind halfway through and decided on a pure white paint finish.
I wanted to cover the grooves on the sides of this old window, so I formed a frame by cutting some wood with my miter saw, attached it with finish nails, then filled in the seams with with wood filler from True Value. I added some appliqués for decoration, then sanded around the edges of the appliqués with my Dremel.
Let’s pause.
Can I get an ‘Amen’ from all of you out there who own a Dremel ?
LOVE this tool ! Santa gave me one last year.
If you don’t have one, put it on your list, pronto!
They have Dremels at True Value.
And chalkboard spray paint !
Two layers right on top of the mirror, plus two coats of True Value’s ‘Calming Sensation’ for the frame left over from the boy’s dresser.
My little pieces of chalk sit right on the window ledge.
I love how its sits so perfectly in my little happy corner of our kitchen.
And it’s just skinny enough to not obstruct the microwave door.
Perfect perfect perfect for reminding myself of necessities.
Or writing sentimental notes.
I was forced to hang it high because of the electrical panel inside the pantry wall. I had planned on using this for just my own scribbles, but this little guy wanted a turn, even if he had to struggle on his tippy toes !
My munchkins sure are smart.
They always figure out ways to get their paws on new things.
Then I noticed what my first grade daughter had written just before my little guy had his turn.
*sniffle*
Don’t you just love chalkboards?
Me too.
“I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.”
Before I forget, the very sweet and oh-so-stylish Sarah of A Beach Cottage is featuring me today, so pop on over to learn something new you never knew.
Tags: chalkboard, Salvage
Love it!! I have an old cupboard door I’m making into a chalkboard too and your post was perfectly timed since I went to Home Depot today looking for chalkboard SPRAY paint!! They don’t have it and neither does Lowes, so I’m extremely happy to see that True Value does!! :)
Would you be so kind as to tell us the lovely shade of paint on the walls in your kitchen and from where it was purchased? I’ve been searching for a calm color high and low for my son’s room, and I think that might do the trick. It’s simply breathtaking. Please and thanks!
Hi Ashley, the paint color is BM’s ‘Camouflage’ ~ a soft gray green.
Hi – absolutely love it! I didnt’t know you could chalkboard spray direct to mirror! Thanks for the tip. Jules x
I’ve been working on a daybed for my daughter and was grumbling about sanding the mouldings just yesterday. Thank you a million times over for reminding me to break out the Dremel to make things easier.
Lovin’ the chalkboard but especially the ♥ Family ♥
Hi Kate. This is really great! By the way, where ever did you find those cool corner brackets I see? They scale on those is fabulous!
I love that chalkboard! And your kids are adorable and funny… it’s truly amazing to watch kids grow and discover their own little personality. ;-)
Oh and I forgot to ask you one question… can you chalkboard spray paint on glass from a picture frame?
Love this ! My kitchen could use one of these !
I had a question about a couple of your posts… I would LOVE to paint my son’s bedroom furniture (headboard, dresser w/mirror and chest of drawers) black. They’re currently a maple color (not real world…MDF I think). I’ve seen a couple posts…one shows using the primer on non sanded surface and then painting with oil based paint…the other (maybe kitchen?) shows sanding and then painting. What do you recommend on going from maple glossy to black glossy ?
I love it! Please come by and link up toVintage
Suitcase Friday!
We have a (silver) whiteboard on our fridge, but it’s getting a bit out of sorts. This is such a great idea, and maybe just the replacement we need!
Wow, I also did not know you could by chalkboard spray paint! What a great idea and it goes perfectly in that space.
And I just read that awesome interview. I loved her questions and your responses. I’m seriously impressed with the wine award and the priorities you’ve set in your life. I was recently a lawyer too and have decided to stay home with my baby. We’re having a blast, but it’s been an adjustment. I know you did the same thing- was the transition hard for you?
I have a can of teal chalkboard paint that I have yet to use. But seeing so many different ways to use it, I’m sure I’ll come up with something;-)
L. Duncan – please tell where you can get teal chalkboard paint!
[...] too little time. I’ve used the frosted version here and here, the chalkboard version here and here, and the plastic version here and here, all with great success. I’ve used [...]
[...] sanders, scrapers, and blades, this baby knows how to multitask! Recently, I used it for this mirror chalkboard project ~ this ingenious tool is oh so cool. I swear, walking past the aisle with all the little [...]
I loved the idea of painting directly on the glass, but had no luck. The chalkboard paint peeled off when I wrote on it with the chalk. Any tips? Did I need to prime or rough up the glass first?
Cheers!
Rita
Looks great! I have a question…so you didn’t use any primer and you didn’t sand the mirror before painting, right? Just chalkboard paint right on the mirror? Did you use the spray paint?
Thanks!
Did you use the spray paint because it is faster or because it is on a mirror? Can a normal can of chalkboard paint be brushed on? I live in an apartment so a little nervous about using spray paint. But I’m also not sure if brushing paint on a mirror will leave brush marks or have trouble sticking to the glass. Any advice? Thanks!
Just what I needed! I’m going to paint an old piece of framed art and wanted to know if I could use the chalkboard paint directly on top of it. So there wasn’t a need for primer, right?!
They make a magnetic spray paint you can put under the chalkboard paint to make it magnetic. You do need to use several coats to make is good and magnetic. Or if you make one from scratch you can used the chalkboard paint on galvanized metal also makes it magnetic. I just made an old window into a chalkboard and cork board out of wine corks. Love your site!!! I keeps my creative juices flowing just sitting at home with the kids. You give me the courage to try things! Thanks