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
Standing Ovation! Love it! What a great transformation!
It looks perfect, what a fabulous transformation.
Perfect size for your space!
This is perfect timing, because I was thinking of putting a chalkboard up in our kitchen; darned if I can find anything cute. I had no idea that I could convert a mirror! Now you’ve got me thinking…
Lovely!! I have to give you kudos for your Citristrip post from awhile back – I just used it last week for a couple of furniture pieces. Good stuff!
It looks so perfect there. I absolutely love your kitchen. I can’t wait to paint my cabinets white and get new counters and flooring. Not until the stufent loan is down to $0. Sigh.
That’s amazing transformation!!
It’s pretty! Glad you found the perfect solution. :)
Looks great! We found a Dremel for $3 at a yard sale this summer and have already used it several times, it’s a great tool.
how do you do that? How do you find such perfection? It’s fabulous!
I think you should just pack up, come to Ohio for a little bit, and decorate my house. Thanks so much! lol
Actually, I have a skinny little naked space like that I’ve been wanting to put a chalkboard something on it but haven’t gotten around to it. So now I have a little more motivation.. ha! :)
Love this! I just added on to my kitchen it is not only fun but functional! Love that you rescued an old piece! Janell
I love it! Makes me want to go find something to spray paint with the chalkboard paint. Great idea!
Love it! I just recenly completed one for above our new bar, and love writing memos/notes/etc. on it. Love the kids drawings.
Love it! I painted chalkboard on glass and love it in my kitchen too!!!
How perfect! It’s like it was created just to grace that little spot on the wall. :) And I will agree with you on the dremel — is there anything that tool CAN’T do?!? Thanks for the advice on stripping the wood, too! Fantastic job, as always!!
That is perfect! I have been looking for an old school slate for my reminders, then found one and reeled at the cost: back to the chalkboard…
There must be something wrong with me, I just don’t get on with my Dremel, find it underpowered and fiddly~
Utterly, inventive and gorgeous!
What a fabulous idea! I have an old mirror that is just begging to be turned in to a chalkboard!
This is so wonderful!!! I absoutely love having a chalkboard in the kitchen, and love that you made it from an old mirror. Great idea! I did a similar project awhile back (http://twobirdsoneblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/chalkboard-project.html) and wish I had known about chalkboard spray paint..I’ll have to go browse True Value to see their selection soon! Thanks for sharing!
Perfect in that spot, Kate! I love the way it turned out!
That turned out so cute! Fits the space perfectly. I didn’t realize they made spray paint chalkboard…. gonna have to get me some! :)
Looks Fabulous!!
what a great idea. I am gonna attemp this myself…thanks!
It’s so perfect! I love it! I especially love the little embellishments, it JUST MAKES IT!
And I have a dremel! ;o)
God bless from Oregon wine country, and a former CA girl!
I love our dremel!! The chalkboard is perfect for your kitchen, love the kids drawing on it!!
Take care
Kristin
Hey! I just found your blog, and I can tell I’m going to be a daily reader! Because I’m new, perhaps you have covered this…but can you share the paint color used in your kitchen in these pics? It is JUST what I’ve been looking for in ours. Thanks so much! Can’t wait to read more.
– Anna
Kate, I LOVE it and your son is just adorable. I have always wondered about using chalkboard paint right on top of glass but now what I know……. ;)
Thanks again for sharing your wonderful ideas with us!
Love it Kate! No wonder True Value wanted you :) Thanks for always breaking the whole process down….makes us all realize how easy little projects are. You are the bomb!
Looks great – I love it!!!
Love the chalkboard but can you tell me what color your wall paint is? I looked on your website and it says your kitchen is a yellow color but it doesn’t look that way behind the chalkboard. Is the color on your website the correct color or can you tell what is the correct color?
Thanks!
Darling! And it gave me an idea how to sprue up the chalkboard/menu holder I just got at Home Goods!
Oooo, I like the way it turned out. I’ve been eyeing this gold mirror for awhile, but it’s $60. So I’m hoping it will go on sale soon so I can turn it into a chalkboard. I wish I knew of salvage yards in my area. How would I even go about finding one?
My boy is especially genius at figuring out how to reach things. I am always amazed.
I love it! Now if I only had some space to hang something like this.
Hi Michele ~ gee that reminds me to update that ‘paint colors around my house’ post, since a lot has changed!
The color is Benjamin Moore’s ‘Camouflage’
Kate
It fits just perfectly in that spot! I love the details on the bottom – great transformation!!
Hi! I have just found your via A Beach Cottage. I was enthralled with the pictures and just had to stop by. Love the chalkboard idea!
Oh I love it! We have a spot in our kitchen that would be perfect for something like this and I have wanted to do the same thing—but I worry the right-hand door of the fridge (it’s a french door setup with pull-out freezer) might smack my cute chalkboard if someone didn’t watch what they were doing. And then if it hit the board then the chalk would fall off and possibly disappear down the vent directly below on the floor—annoying.
Love it… it reminds me of a menu board in a chic little cafe or coffee shop. Simply lovely!
Oh my gosh, you can paint the chalkboard paint right on GLASS?? I SOOO have a PERFECT mirror for this project!
Ohh – that’s so pretty!!
And I’m seriously coveting your Dremmel. I want one!
Love this!
How nice that this was a window, then a mirror, now something entirely new!
It looks great.
Love it:) Isn’t it amazing what a little paint can do?! I noticed your pantry door. Is that a mirror on it or is it paned? Can I find out more about it? I’d love to do that with mine.
Brooke
That’s adorable and genius! I didn’t even think of doing that. I got a mirror a few weeks ago at a yard sale, and I painted the frame with that exact chalkboard paint, instead of the glass itself. (you can see a pic of it here: http://insaneramblingsofaredhead.blogspot.com/2010/08/yard-sale-ing.html)
Love that frame, and the chalkboard is awesome! I just used chalkboard spray paint for the first time over the weekend, creating a menu board and calendar. So fun!
hey sweetie
thanks for the interview
love the chalkboard…everytime I see one I think I must just make them…love yours
xo
Beautiful! I love the one that I hung in our kitchen like that – perfect for the size and place! :)
You have the best decorating ideas on your blog! I love chalkboards too, and I recently wrote a post about my chalkboard on my blog. If you have time, check it out someday! :)
Love that idea!
I just read parts of your post aloud and held up my laptop so my husband could see the before & after; now we both hate you. JUST KIDDING–you rock! :)