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Sunday, January 23, 2011

Chalkboard Backsplash


My house came with a white-painted drywall backsplash, which I intended to cover with metal tin-ceiling style panels. Or tumbled marble. Or travertine tile. I might still do that eventually, but until my budget allows, I need to get the area painted. It's getting splattered up and the paint just wipes off when I try to clean it. So hey, why not chalkboard paint as a fun and inexpensive interim solution! If I get bored, I can always draw some tumbled marble on the wall with chalk.



I suppose my kitchen is pretty dark already with the cherry cabinets and black appliances, but it gets a ton of light from the sunroom and multiple can lights, so I decided to just go for it. And that is the beauty of being single - no one else's opinion counts, ha-ha. First I put on 2 coats of white primer. Here in these photos, you can really see the difference that made... NOT. But it covered the spaghetti sauce stains pretty well. ;)


Putting the black paint on was intimidating at first, but I quickly fell in love with it. It dried really fast and immediately it looked chalkboard-like (go figure!) I did have to wait 4 hours to recoat, but after the second coat it looked perfect. I decided to put on a third coat because... well, because I'm an insurance agent. We're cautious. It's what we do.

After it was dry, I had to wait 3 days before writing on it, which I think was the hardest part - I wanted to write on it right away! I painted it last weekend, then started playing with it on Thursday. My daughter Manda and I primed it by rubbing the side of the chalk over the whole thing and erasing it. What a dusty mess that was. She drew the blue sky and clouds on the left, and I've been channeling my inner school teacher in the middle. I kind of want to write out complicated nonsense algebraic formulas. Is that weird? Yeah? Good thing I erased those then.

Please pardon my rumpled tea towel. Professional stager, I am not. Linking up to Metamorphosis Monday at BNOTP. Have a nice week!

14 comments:

Katie @ EyeSpyDIY said...

I love your backsplash! I have been looking for an inexpensive backsplash to pretty up my kitchen, this is great!

foreverdecorating said...

Interesting. I don't think I would have thought of that and it looks great!

Valerie said...

Looks Great!!! I wish my backsplash was like that, unfortunately my laminate goes from the countertop straight up the backsplash.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Very creative -- and great on the budget for now, that's for sure! Your girls will love it, too.

Anonymous said...

Hi Tracy! Oh, you're the most creative one! I like the chalkboard backsplash! You may have started a new thing! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Anonymous said...

Tracy, thanks for stopping by and leaving a message at curlywillowdiy.blogspot.com. I love the idea of the chalkboard paint. I don't have a backsplash either, it's on my to do list. You'll have to let me know if you think the dust from the chalk gets to be too much for you. That is always been my worry about chalkboards. Thanks, I am your newest follower! I hope you can return some blog love and do the same. Happy Monday!

René said...

Oh I just love that first image of the flowers and the drawing.

-Rene

MuseBootsi said...

Amazing! I have some backsplash issues as well and even had the same exact plans...tin, marble, etc...
I might just steal your chalkboard paint idea! I have some in the garage...

Unknown said...

What a cool backsplash-looks fabulous-love the look-found you on a blog hop-come by to visit-Claire

Unknown said...

What a clever idea, it looks fantastic!

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Tracy,
Thank you so much for visiting me at Home is Where the Heart is, its a pleasure meeting you..
I love your blog, I really do..
How creative of you to use the chalkboard paint as a backsplash.
My niece used it on her pantry door and its wonderful for her kids.
I have become one of your new followers.
So happy we meant. Have a sweet day,
Elizabeth

Hi! I am LiLi! said...

that is a cool kitchen.

Little Penpen said...

what a great idea... you have a very pretty kitchen!

ME: Lindsey said...

How does it clean up behind the stove? I love the idea, but am wondering if it gets grease stains. Looks great!
Thanks!

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