It was a dark and stormy night.  Really, it was.  Last weekend, I was home on a Saturday night in my pajamas, experimenting with some brands of colored chalkboard paint, making vases, and halfheartedly watching a movie.  This is the suburban life I lead. 

All of a sudden I had an idea.  What if I didn’t want to stick with the manufactured  colored chalkboard paints I was working with?  What about a DIY version in any color I could possibly imagine?  I remembered that Martha Stewart had published a recipe years ago for homemade chalkboard paint, but I had never tried it.  When I went to find it online I couldn’t.  That dark and stormy night had killed my internet connection.  I recalled it was some combination of non-sanded grout and paint, so I started experimenting, mixing up batches of my own, wondering if this would really work. 

Pay no attention to that Cabernet.  I swear it had nothing to do with it! 

OK, maybe it did.

At first, I came up with 2 tablespoons of grout to 3 tablespoons of paint ~ a combo that was way too thick.  So I kept at it, adding more paint each time, eventually ending up at a formula that was made up of 3/4 cup of latex paint and 2 tablespoons of non-sanded grout. 

With the blue paint left over from my boy’s room, I created this little toothbrush holder, with my very own homemade chalkboard paint.  Love it!

(If you want to recreate something similar, read this article about applying water based chalkboard paints to ceramics.)

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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 !

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There was a mention in House Beautiful last November about this brand new product by Hudson Paint: colored  chalkboard paint.  I was completely intrigued, but then I forgot all about it until the the other day.  Then I remembered, and I just had to order some for a special project I’m working on.  I’m just so excited so I must share with all of you what came in the mail today: this quart of ‘Deep Ocean’ Hudson chalkboard paint !

Hello gorgeous. 

Be still my heart. 

Where have you been all my life ?

It’s a little expensive compared to latex paint, $25 a quart, plus $7 shipping, but with the 24 colors available, can you imagine the possibilities ?  Entire walls of breakfast nooks, kitchens, dining rooms, kid spaces, playrooms and closet doors covered in these amazing colors.    

And talk about cool DIY crafts too – imagine the message centers and labels you could create !  Of course I’ve read you can DIY your own chalkboard paint with tile grout but some of the reviews are mixed.  You can find several ‘recipes’ online, but something about buying this smooth textured paint ready for instant use makes me so giddy. 

I plan on using my ‘Deep Ocean’ this weekend for a special project I’ve got planned for my boy’s room.  To see the full spectrum of Hudson chalkboard paint colors, look right here.  Another company, Tilano.net has a few colors available, but their chalkboard paints are more expensive.   Also I found out that Crayola has a line of colored chalkboard paint available here, again slightly more expensive. 

Yes, it’s a whole new world of paint.   Let the fun begin !  Have you ever used or made colored chalkboard paint ?  What were your results ? 

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For me, 50% off day at the St. Vincent de Paul is the definition of excitement.  Not only do I love the treasure hunt, not only do I get giddy at the thought of a big discount, but I relish the opportunity to transform found objects in a way not contemplated by others. 

I found a little lost footboard, sitting in the dust, behind all of the other large furniture, scratched, neglected and alone. This poor little end of a bed had no mate.  From the cobwebs surrounding it, I could tell no one had glanced at it in awhile.  It was $25, but then 50% off, so I brought it home for $12.50 for a complete makeover. 

Ladies and gentlemen, please say hello to the new and improved version of my footboard.  This little lady can multitask.  Not only is she able to sit outside and be charming, she is also a unique home message board and mud room organizer, complete with chalkboard center, and ceramic knobs for hanging sweaters, umbrellas, and hats. 

Take a bow, fair footboard. 

Before and After, outdoor style:

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