Chalkboard Black

We hosted a birthday party the other night.

I had planned to bake — ok, fine- heat up a frozen – blackberry cobbler, but we kicked our nasty, old, malfunctioning stove to the curb when we had the new flooring installed in the kitchen. And since a new stove isn’t quite in the budget yet, I opted for a store-bought birthday cake instead. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, and boy did our niece and nephew (Lee Ann and Benton) get a good giggle out of everyone’s blue-stained teeth.

The week before the party, I made it my goal to finish up a big project on the right side of the kitchen.

I started by patching the drywall that got damaged when Kevin pulled the beadboard paneling off…

I got some DryDex spackling paste from True Value, and used a putty or “drywall knife” to fill in the damaged parts. I love using DryDex because it goes on pink, and shows you when it’s dry by turning white! After that, I used a medium-grit “Wall Sand” sanding sponge to smooth everything out.

Then, after I vacuumed up 18 lbs. of spackle dust, I broke out a fresh roller head and painted on a wall full of chalkboard black paint…

After that, the cabinets we salvaged from our guest bathroom came back into the room, and the heaviest-butcherblock-countertop-in-the-world (Ikea) got flipped over and stained “Special Walnut“. After that, the chalkboard wall got outfitted with some stainless steel shelves (Ikea).

Later that night, the kids and I had fun breaking it in.

Lee Ann and I drew balloons and birthday banners…

…and Benton taught me all about the wild world of Mario…

(Who knew a “toad” didn’t actually look like a “toad”?)

Nothin’ like bonding, blackboards, and birthday cake.

Ooh- and paper plates and plasticware. I enjoy those a lot, too.

This post is a part of our True Value DIY Blog Squad series!

PS- You can find more info True Value (and the entire DIY blog squad!) on Facebook and Twitter!

Disclaimer: We were selected by True Value to work on the DIY Blog Squad and have been compensated for our time commitment to True Value-related blog posts. We’ve also been given a gift card to purchase the materials needed for our True Value-related projects, however, our opinions are entirely our own and we have not been paid to publish positive reviews. Boom!

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130 Responses to Chalkboard Black

1. Kim says:

   Dec 7, 2011 at 10:44 pm

   Love it! It looks fabulous as always!!! Looking forward to more pictures when the kitchen is all done. You and Kev inspire me to do more with my home.

   

   Reply
2. leanne says:

   Dec 7, 2011 at 10:44 pm

   oh i want this so bad…but i was always sneezing around chalk when i was a kid. i guess i could get some of those chalk markers……hmmmmmm which wall??! love it!

   

   Reply
3. Betsy(@coastal-colors) says:

   Dec 7, 2011 at 10:44 pm

   OMG! What a great idea! I love this! I’m such a chalkboard fan and this tops them all! Awesome!

   

   Reply
4. Kim says:

   Dec 7, 2011 at 10:45 pm

   Oooo, just noticed that dark counter top – LOVE!!!

   

   Reply
5. Angela Hill says:

   Dec 7, 2011 at 10:45 pm

   Looks awesome! Great job and how fun!!

   

   Reply
6. gertie @ The Old Block House says:

   Dec 7, 2011 at 10:47 pm

   I love the stained butcher block. It’s so completely gorgeous and especially against the blackboard paint.

   

   Reply
7. Sarah Park says:

   Dec 7, 2011 at 10:48 pm

   This is BEAUTIFUL! I love your style and your work is AMAZING! Thanks for being a great inspiration to us all May I blog about this on my blog? I will make sure to link back to you!

   WIDLOVE,
   SP

   

   Reply
8. Carrie ~ The Corson Cottage says:

   Dec 7, 2011 at 10:50 pm

   I love a great chalkboard wall! I have always wanted to do this. Lucky you! It turned out great!

   

   Reply
9. Lindsay says:

   Dec 7, 2011 at 10:56 pm

   Ooh I really love this! I also love the counters, oh how I wish I wasn’t renting…I’d love to do something similar.

   

   Reply
10. Dana says:

    Dec 7, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    LOVE! I stained an island butcher top with Dark Walnut this year…. Love it. I sealed it with a water based poly and so far it’s held up fantastically! (even for vigorous scrubbing after I sprayed it with adhesive!)

    

    Reply
11. Jade says:

    Dec 7, 2011 at 11:10 pm

    Is that wall textured?? How does having textured walls work with chalkboard paint???? i love this!!!

    

    Reply
12. Sherry says:

    Dec 7, 2011 at 11:21 pm

    You can”t go wrong with a chalkboard wall! It looks great. The possibilities are endless.

    Cannot wait to see a kitchen reveal when you have it finished. I admired all the previous versions anyway so this one has got to be good. Oh, the anticipation…

    

    Reply
13. Kristen says:

    Dec 7, 2011 at 11:23 pm

    The chalkboard wall looks awesome!! I’m so envious that you have the space to do that! And I’m the lovin’ the dark stain on the butcher block too!

    

    Reply
14. Jennifer says:

    Dec 7, 2011 at 11:50 pm

    Woooh i love it <3

    

    Reply
15. Lindsay says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 12:10 am

    I would LOVE to know what your countertops are made out of/where you got them, THANKS!!! Also, are your cabinets a revamp or new inside and out? lindsay.sherrill@gmail.com

    

    Reply
    • Lindsay says:

      Dec 8, 2011 at 12:13 am

      Oh i just missed where you wrote—Ikea, right? Looks like you have something different in the rest of the kitchen. What would be your thoughts on having the butcher block over the entire countertop in a kitchen?

      

      Reply
16. Marina {YummyMummyKitchen.com} says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 12:12 am

    Oh I LOVE this. Love love love! What fun my little girlies and I would have in the kitchen while we cook. You did such a great job!

    

    Reply
17. Cyndy's BEACH HOUSE says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 12:21 am

    LOVING your blog…nothing like re-inventing, repurposing and Ikea. Your bathrm looks awesome and the wall in the kitchen?
    I N G E N I O U S Can u come over and play at my house?

    

    Reply
18. kay says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 1:03 am

    wowwwww that looks amazing! would love to see a shot of the wall like the one you took while you were painting…ive been debating painting one of the walls in my kitchen the same way but i dont know how well all that black would go in the tiny room.

    

    Reply
19. Samantha says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 3:17 am

    Wow – this looks amazing. I hope your TV pilot is such a success that you go international cos I really need your help with my home!
    Your blackboard wall looks great x

    

    Reply
20. Sabrina says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 4:35 am

    Everything about that wall is great. I love the shelving and the butchers block. Great job. Even your drawings are perfect. I’m really impressed that not even a black wall darkens your style at all. I need to look into that one. Great job, once agaiin!

    

    Reply
21. Tanya @ Sunday Baker says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 5:47 am

    Looks so updated and fun!

    

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22. Amanda says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 5:47 am

    Oh my goodness, I love it! I’m always a fan of blackboard walls, but I love how it looks against the butcher’s block counters and the stainless shelves – amazing! I would totally do something like this in my own house if it weren’t for the fact that I’m awful at drawing with chalk, so it would always look ridiculous!

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Dec 8, 2011 at 9:11 am

      Thank you Amanda!
      You could always use white vinyl wall decals to put phrases and designs on yours!

      

      Reply
23. Samantha says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 5:47 am

    Wow I love that chalk board wall! Great job. Could we have more pictures please?

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Dec 8, 2011 at 9:07 am

      Sure thing, Samantha! Just a soon as we’ve got everything all trimmed out!

      

      Reply
24. theresa says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 6:07 am

    That is spectacular! I love every inch of it! t. xoxo

    

    Reply
25. Alisa D. says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 6:21 am

    Looks great!!!

    

    Reply
26. amanda says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 6:56 am

    Oh this is amazing! You are my hero. We just bought our first home and I LOVE seeing ideas/projects like this. Thank you!

    

    Reply
27. Polly says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 7:00 am

    LOVE IT! Those stainless shelves look great against the black wall. I also love how you’ve accessorized the shelves. Nice work you two!

    

    Reply
28. Amanda says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 7:01 am

    This makes me want to paint some walls black (with chalkboard paint of course). The kiddos (even the big man one – aka: husband) would love this.

    

    Reply
29. Noelle says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 7:03 am

    LOOOOVVVVEEE it!!!

    

    Reply
30. Jessica says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 7:06 am

    What stain did you use for the butcher block countertop? It needs to be food grade and I have not yet found one. We are thinking of the Ikea top for our kitchen. Is it working out well for you so far?

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Dec 8, 2011 at 9:06 am

      Hey Jessica! We used Minwax Special Walnut-colored stain from True Value. We didn’t really care if ours was food grade because we’re not going to use ours to cut food on. It’s more of a serving counter surface. Think: pizza boxes, plasticware and paper plates- LOL! I’m not sure what you’d use if you wanted to cut on it. ?

      

      Reply
      • will says:

        Dec 8, 2011 at 10:06 am

        Mineral oil is what ikea recommends because the wood looks so beautiful on its own but we did the butchee block in the country living room with a white wash on the oak.

        

        Reply
      • Ginger says:

        Dec 8, 2011 at 10:31 am

        You can use any stain and use Waterlox over it and it is extremely durable and food safe, which is what we used on ours. Here’s a link to the waterlox http://www.waterlox.com/project-help/faqShow.aspx?type=Countertops&faqid=56

        I love the chalkboard wall Layla. Looks great and a fun place for you to express your endless creativity.

        

        Reply
31. cyndi says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 7:29 am

    I’m confused! I thought you scored a great stainless range on craigs list not long ago? Am I losing it (again!!) The wall looks great!!

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Dec 8, 2011 at 8:57 am

      Hey Cyndi! That was our refrigerator!

      

      Reply
32. Beverly Palmer says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 7:34 am

    Oh you gotta show us a pic of the whole wall! Also, are those really your painting clothes??? Really???

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Dec 8, 2011 at 8:42 am

      Yep! They were that day anyway!

      

      Reply
33. Ellen says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 7:36 am

    Looks great! Lovin’ the stainless shelves too!

    

    Reply
34. Anna says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 7:41 am

    Love the color of the wood with the stainless steel!

    

    Reply
35. Mary says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 7:50 am

    Oh my! I absolutely LOVE this! And I LOVE those shelves from IKEA!!!
    It’s funny, because I’m breaking out the ‘ol chalkboard paint today and sprucing up a nasty old hollow core door in my dining room! Wish me luck!
    

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Dec 8, 2011 at 9:25 am

      Thank you and good luck, Mary!

      

      Reply
36. Danielle says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 8:13 am

    Looks fantastic. We’re big fans of Ikea and special walnut in our house, too! Love what you’re doing!

    

    Reply
37. Kathleen Leonard says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 8:23 am

    Love it, love it, love it! Trying to figure out where I can put a large chalkboard wall in my house now too…you are awesome with all of your handiness ( is that a word?) and great ideas! Thanks

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Dec 8, 2011 at 9:23 am

      Thanks Kathleen!

      

      Reply
38. Melissa @ A Place to Nest says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 8:26 am

    Love it! I have a bit of an addiction to chalkboard paint… You can see it on my blog in SEVERAL areas. This looks great!!!

    

    Reply
39. erin says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 8:30 am

    Oh man, that black is fantastic in there!!! Just adore it Lay!!!!

    

    Reply
40. Kim @ Sand & Sisal says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 8:37 am

    What a fun wall! It’s all looking great! You have some good little artists visiting!

    

    Reply
41. Pam Miner says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 8:57 am

    What a great ideal..and looks great too…Hey I, saw you on the 700 club today…you did a great job you go girl

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Dec 8, 2011 at 9:30 am

      Thank you Pam!

      

      Reply
42. Kim H. says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 9:02 am

    That’s hilarious! I just painted an entire wall in my very small kitchen/dining room last night. This morning I’m looking at it thinking wow that’s dark lol It’ll grow on me though Yours looks great!

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Dec 8, 2011 at 9:28 am

      Thanks, Kim!

      

      Reply
43. Laura says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 9:08 am

    I love the chalkboard wall, and how the lovely white and green items pop against it!

    

    Reply
44. Diana @ Our Vintage Home Love says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 9:12 am

    LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! It’s perfect! I so wish that we could do a chalkboard wall but our walls are so heavily textured (not a fan) that we would never be able to write on them. I guess I could scrape it off buuuuuuttttt………too much work!

    

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45. Seriously Sassy Mama says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 9:15 am

    I love the butcher block.

    

    Reply
46. Ter'e Crow Lindsay says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 9:24 am

    I told my kids this a.m. —- “does it get any better than blackboard paint and IKEA? Only if raw oysters are thrown in”. Love the new wall. I have been wanting to paint a wall with bbp, forever!!!!! My husband is fighting me all the way! Can’t wait to show him your results!!!!!!!

    Layla……..what do you suggest of you have textured walls???? Just go for it, anyway?

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Dec 8, 2011 at 9:27 am

      Thanks so much!
      I don’t know how it would work on textured walls. ? You could always give it a whirl and paint over it if you don’t like it!

      

      Reply
47. Kim in Iowa says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 9:28 am

    Love it! Seems like you have some good light in there, too, so it helps offset the dark wall. So much fun could be had with that wall! Colored chalk, seasonal drawings, notes to each other…..so fun!

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Dec 8, 2011 at 9:32 am

      Thanks, Kim! It’s actually pretty dark in there- but we’re hoping to put in a wall full of windows opposite the chalkboard, soon!
      LOVE the options you mentioned, too. FUN STUFF!

      

      Reply
      • Kim in Iowa says:

        Dec 8, 2011 at 9:34 am

        Oh that’s right, I remember now how you’ve mentioned putting in that wall of windows. DEFINITELY!! Can never have too many windows (so long as someone is willing to clean them;)

        

        Reply
48. Erika says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 9:33 am

    Love it, looks very similar to Lauren’s (Pure Style Home) kitchen….both of you have AWESOME taste! Curious what where in the house is the “Mario” wall? It looks like its in a little nook but wondering where..can’t wait to see the kitchen reveal!

    

    Reply
49. Shirley S. says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 9:39 am

    Turned out great as usual. What a fun wall to unleash everyone’s creativity!

    

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50. Jennifer Grey says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 9:40 am

    So much fun! Layla your chalkboard wall and shelves look FABULOUS!

    oxox
    Jennifer

    

    Reply
51. Kathleen says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 9:43 am

    Oh, I love that chalkboard wall and the stainless steel shelves are the icing on the cake!

    

    Reply
52. Rene' Foust says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 9:46 am

    I love the chalk board wall, I put one in my new old kitchen that we just completed (well almost completed, it may never be complete) I framed mine and finished it to look like an old picture!
    Oh and it sounds to me that you had just as much fun with the store bought cake and paper plates with far less fuss!!

    

    Reply
53. chrissa says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 9:48 am

    Layla, I beg you for a full wall shot! Beg, I tells ya!

    I LOVE this. So much.

    I am so excited. What a wonderful job you and Kevin did.

    

    Reply
54. Jennifer Rizzo says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 9:58 am

    It looks great! You’ll love the Ikea counter-tops. I’ve only had to seal mine a few times and that’s just around the sink where it’s wet all of the time! They hold up so well.

    

    Reply
55. Lisa Brown says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 10:08 am

    Genius, practical, functional, and just darn cute! Thanks, Layla!

    

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56. Sarah @ The Cyclist's Wife says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 10:08 am

    Love! We used the chalkboard paint in our kitchen remodel too. It’s great!

    

    Reply
57. Susana of Montessoricandy says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 10:33 am

    Love it! Lot’s of fun and now I’m wanting Cake!.. for breakfast!

    

    Reply
58. spelhouseLove says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 10:40 am

    Love the wall chalkboard. I’ve been thinking about doing that to a column in the kitchen.

    

    Reply
59. Katie says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 10:55 am

    I LOVE this so much! You did a great job!

    

    Reply
60. Laura says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 11:21 am

    Oh- the humanity! I might be shedding a tear or two of just a little-bitty-tiny-bit of envy. Ok. Done now! Do your amazing ideas never end? You and Kevin are like the Energizer Remodelers!

    

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61. Joyce says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 11:22 am

    I LOVE the chalkboard wall! Thanks for sharing!

    

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62. Krystle @ Color Transformed Family says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 11:24 am

    This is such a cute idea! I love that the drawings are integrated into the shelves and counters. You will always have something to entertain guests with.

    

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63. Kelly in White Bear Lake says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 11:26 am

    I would love to see a wider shot of your whole wall and buffet.

    

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64. Sara @The Fat Hydrangea says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 11:34 am

    WOW Layla I absolutely love it!! Now you have me thinking what room in our house I paint w/chalkboard paint.. I have a can just sitting on my workbench waiting to be used!

    I want to see more pictures of the whole kitchen!

    

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65. Gina@TheFarmhouseKitchen says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 11:39 am

    This has me thinking I need more wall space in my kitchen! It’s so pretty!

    

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66. The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 11:45 am

    I just found you via Ree’s blog. I have to say I’m so excited to peruse this in depth after the madness of the holidays and bookmark projects for when we move in a few years. I don’t know how jazzed the non-handy hubby will be about it but that’s my issue.

    

    Reply
67. Eileen says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    I’ve been considering chalkboard paint, but I’ve always wondered if it erases well or if you have to really scrub it to get off the chalk? Also, I’m guessing you’d have to have a completely smooth wall to start with?

    

    Reply
68. Stephanie says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    I really love the chalkboard idea but my hubby isn’t for it at all. He just thinks of all the dust it creates. You’ll have to let me know how it works out for you.

    

    Reply
69. Brooke says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 12:10 pm

    Where is the flower vase from?

    

    Reply
70. Holly says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    This looks so great! I love the shelves on the wall and the decor drawing all around. Thanks for sharing!
    One question…did you have to “chalk” the whole wall to season it?

    

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71. michelle starling says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 12:53 pm

    I Love the wall. One question though. On the butcher block, do you have to use a food safe stain? I have a butcher block top that I’d love to stain a dark color but I’ve read elsewhere that you need a food safe stain. Any suggestions?

    

    Reply
72. Marie @ Sally Lee by the Sea says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    Only you could look gorgeous while painting a wall, Layla! :O)

    Seriously, it looks great and I love how the shelves go right over it. I have a pantry door that is on my “list” to paint with blackboard paint…maybe next year?!

    Hugs,
    Marie

    

    Reply
73. Londen says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    Awesome!!! It looks so good…the shelves and the stained butcher block….the way you styled it….everything! I don’t think I will ever be tired of chalkboard, there is just something about it. I struggled a little when I painted a wall in our kitchen…it was so dark and imposing at first. Here is our Christmas wall last year…still thinking about what to do this year.
    http://sixtyfifthavenue.blogspot.com/2010/12/writing-is-on-wall.html

    

    Reply
74. Tracey says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    Am I only the one who read this post and thought, “WHOA”??? LOL. This is what I love about TLC so much… I was all excited about the cake and party and then BAM total wall reno! It looks amazing (as always!) Just… Amazing. I’m speechless. Well done, ma’am! ;D

    

    Reply
75. tracyo says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    I’ll bet those kids think that you and Kevin are the COOLEST aunt & uncle ever. That chalkboard wall is soooooo much fun! What a good idea!

    

    Reply
76. Lisa @ Lisas Creative Designs says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    Oh its just beautiful! I still have yet to try black board paint. I have seen so many creative uses for it. One of these days…..

    

    Reply
77. wendy says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    Whoo hooo….I knew it! Looks awesome and I love those ikea shelves. You picked the perfect color stain for that butcher block…looks fab!

    

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78. Dorothy Brown says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 7:11 pm

    Absolutely adorable!! And now I intend to shamelessly copy to the maximum extent possible in my own kitchen-thank you!!

    

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79. Frances says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    Looks great but, where did the pretty hutch go?

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Dec 9, 2011 at 1:18 pm

      Hi Frances! We sold that last year at this yard sale: http://theletteredcottage.net/the-yard-sale/

      

      Reply
80. Sherry Ann says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 7:43 pm

    LOVE CHALKBOARD WALLS ! ! ! Yours is beautiful with the stainless shelves ! Of course the special birthday doodles are the best !

    

    Reply
81. Jen Gilday says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    If that isn’t the cutest thing!! Love the chalkboard wall! And the ikea countertop looks fantastic too!! (as do the shelves – you gotta love Ikea!)

    Once again, nice work!
    Jen
    athomeinthenorthwest.blogspot.com

    

    Reply
82. claire says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 9:01 pm

    My 2 yr. old’s name is “Benton” as well! I’ve never known anyone else with a (young) boy Benton! I named him after my mother-in-law’s maiden last name. Curious to find out if it’s a family name for y’all as well. So cool

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Dec 9, 2011 at 1:21 pm

      Hi Claire! Benton was Kevin’s Grandfather’s name on his Dad’s side!

      

      Reply
83. Lisa W. says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 9:20 pm

    This is SO cute…I love this…have been thinking of a chalkboard wall, now I really want one. So nice…your kitchen looks awesome!!!

    

    Reply
84. Becky says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 10:08 pm

    Your wall looks like so much fun and how much easier can banners and decorating be?! Great idea, and I love the Ikea shelves.

    

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85. Carrie says:

    Dec 8, 2011 at 10:14 pm

    I love your ideas~ You are constant inspiration.

    

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    • Layla says:

      Dec 9, 2011 at 1:20 pm

      Thank you so much for kind comment, Carrie!

      

      Reply
86. Debbie-refreshrestyle says:

    Dec 9, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    I wish I had a wall like yours! It looks great, but then so does everything y’all do

    

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87. Missy A says:

    Dec 9, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    Miss Layla, could you please post a pic of the whole wall from the other side? Like the before picture with you painting the black wall. Then we can appreciate everything altogether! Please and tank u!

    

    Reply
88. Rhonda I says:

    Dec 9, 2011 at 7:14 pm

    OOOH that looks great.., and a good time!

    

    Reply
89. Melanie says:

    Dec 10, 2011 at 12:19 am

    Wow- so much fun! I love mario games and chalkboard walls. I hope walking in your new space is a new fire in your soul. It just made mine flutter. (= BTW I keep us some paper plates, cups and silverware around. I may or may not like doing dishes(SHH)…..

    

    Reply
90. Jenny B. says:

    Dec 10, 2011 at 9:56 am

    That looks terrific!!! A few questions… We have textured walls. Do you think that Dry Dex stuff would work to smooth out a whole wall? Or is there some other product you would use to do that? I’ve been wanting to paint a chalkboard wall, but I don’t think the textured drywall would work too well as a writing surface. I’ve also been wanting to do a faux board and batten wall, but again, I don’t know if it would look right without smooth walls.

    Also… What brand of chalkboard paint did you use? And does your wall erase well? I used chalkboard paint in a frame, and it looks great, but it’s really hard to erase. I pretty much have to wash and recondition it each time I want to change the message.

    Thanks!!! I love your blog and your house!

    PS. This probably sounds really crazy, but I had a dream last night that you were designing a room for Betty White, and she had a painting of herself when she was young, and it looked just like you. I know… where did that come from!?

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Dec 10, 2011 at 6:09 pm

      Hey Jenny!
      I’m not sure it would work for an entire textured wall, but I bet you they make a product for that!
      We used chalkboard paint from Lowes…I can’t recall the brand right now, I’m sorry! It was the only one they had though.
      It does erase well, but we’ve been using a wadded up paper towel as an eraser, so that might have something to do with it. (?)
      SO FUNNY about your dream! I have no idea what it means, but I dig Betty White, so it’s all good!

      

      Reply
91. Beth C says:

    Dec 10, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    I painted my mom’s backsplash behind her cooktop several years ago and she loves it! The whole family uses it for celebration signs, lists and doodling! Great idea!

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Dec 10, 2011 at 5:56 pm

      Hi Beth! That sounds like a cool backsplash!

      

      Reply
92. tara Lowry says:

    Dec 10, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    i love it, layla!

    

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    • Layla says:

      Dec 10, 2011 at 6:13 pm

      Thank you, Tara!

      

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93. Calico Child says:

    Dec 11, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    Love it I want to do a little wall like that in my kitchen you have just motivated me now

    

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94. Kirsten says:

    Dec 12, 2011 at 6:27 am

    Hi Layla,
    That’ looks fabulous! X

    

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95. Isabel Flecha de Lima says:

    Dec 12, 2011 at 6:47 am

    Stunning! Congratulations!

    

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96. hello haha narf says:

    Dec 12, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    love, love, LOVE! turned out phenomenally. not that i expected anything else.

    

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97. SheilaE says:

    Dec 13, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    I have been thinking about doing this in my kitchen/dining room also. You definitely move people to get going! I also have questions about “seasoning” chalkboard paint. I have done a couple of old frames and it doesn’t erase worth a darn.

    

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98. Brittney says:

    Jan 2, 2012 at 7:22 pm

    LOVE!
    Can you tell me where you got the shelves? I would love to have them in my kitchen too!

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Jan 2, 2012 at 7:51 pm

      Ikea!

      

      Reply
99. Funky Junk Interiors says:

    Jan 8, 2012 at 7:45 pm

    So, I’m attempting a wall in my son’s room with chalkboard and parts of it are squawking wherever we had some primer. My son is yelling to me at this moment, “DID YOU FIND IT YET?!? I ran to this post to see if you had any tips and tricks working with this crazy stuff! Oh well.

    LOVE. YOUR. WALL.

    Donna

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Jan 8, 2012 at 9:24 pm

      Hi Donna! The only tip I can tell you is that once you “season” it with chalk, those “squawky” parts don’t even seem to show up anymore!

      

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100. Funky Junk Interiors says:

     Jan 8, 2012 at 7:46 pm

     chalkboard = chalkboard PAINT. doh…

     

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101. Leigh Harless says:

     Mar 29, 2012 at 1:18 pm

     Nice work!! Why did you need to flip the counter top to stain it? I want to replicate this look with an ikea counter top=) also, is this is the beech wood not the birch wood?? why was one wood type more preferable to you?? thank You!!

     

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     • Layla says:

       Mar 29, 2012 at 1:35 pm

       Hey Leigh!
       We had to flip it because we used Tung Oil on the other side and it wouldn’t accept stain. I think it’s beech wood, and we just got it because it was the only thing in stock!

       

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102. Leigh Harless says:

     Mar 31, 2012 at 6:36 pm

     Thank you for your reply to my comment! We are getting ours on this Wednesday and I do plan to stain it darker also! They say…..imitation is the sincerest form or flattery! =)

     

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103. Suzanne Turner says:

     Apr 5, 2012 at 2:51 pm

     I LOVE THIS! I’m doing this right now in my kitchen/living rooms, looking to replace old tile countertops with wood just like that. Beautiful job, as always!

     

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104. franky says:

     Apr 18, 2012 at 12:03 pm

     WOW…that’s really all i can say! Beautiful work.

     

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105. franky says:

     May 11, 2012 at 8:21 am

     Do you find that you’d have to clean up the chalk dust all the time?

     

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106. Jenn says:

     Jun 9, 2012 at 3:51 pm

     I love, love, LOVE your chalkboard wall. The future hubs has been wanting an “idea wall” since we bought our house. I have a feeling it’s in our not too distant future. A million thumbs up to your blog and home – they are beautiful!

     

     Reply