Dining Room {Chalkboard} Wall

Have you joined the Chalkboard craze yet?

You might say that I've gone a little nuts over it!

My Dining room just got a new paint job, (room reveal post coming soon)

and I've always wanted a "chalkboard wall".

The built in buffet area seemed like the perfect place.



The texture on these walls wasn't too heavy,
but I did sand down the "high" areas.

I also used 3M Patch Plus primer spackle to fill in any areas that needed smoothing. This product is new (I found out at the Haven Conference after visiting 3M's booth) and it works great. It's lightweight, goes on smoothly, dries in 30 minutes and is ready to paint.

There are lots of chalkboard paints out now, 

so pick your favorite brand and go for it.

I chose Valspar's classic black chalkboard paint.

The paint is nice and thick. It took a good 3 coats to cover well.

I did use Ziltz latex primer first,

but only because we needed to cover the deep red
that was on the walls prior.

The next step is crucial!!!

You need to "season" the chalkboard.

This only means to cover the entire board with chalk.

Rub the chalk on it's side, up and down.

Then go over it again from side to side, making sure to cover the entire surface with chalk.
 (It makes a lot of chalk dust and takes several pieces of chalk.)

Why? This will prevent your first markings or writings on your new chalkboard from being permanently engraved.

Final step is to wipe the chalk off with a dry soft cloth.

Now your chalkboard is ready to go!

I free handed the scroll border, but practiced on paper first.
Sketching out the words on paper helped,
so I could make sure to center the whole design.
The great thing about chalk, is that it is easily erased if you mess up.

My inspiration came from a Home Office that
 Jones Design Company did. Click here to see her post.

The "be grateful" idea
also came from Jones Design Company.

You can see her fabulous post about making your own caligraphy
by clicking here.

I'm really not a Jones Design Co. stalker...I just like her style, ALOT!

The scroll like border idea came from Furniture-Ology. She painted a chalkboard wall in her Living Room. You can see her post here.

I love the flexibility of a chalkboard wall.
The wording can easily be changed depending on the season
or just on a whim!

You can also find more inspiring ideas using chalkboard paint on

my Pinterest board,  so follow me!

I made my first framed chalkboard over 10 years ago.

It was hung in our son's "Cowboy room" when he was 4.

The chalkboard still hangs in his "Teenage room" today.

You can check it out here.

The same chalkboard was used on my Christmas mantle.
You can find that post by clicking here.

 I can't wait to show you how I "enhanced" those plain candle sconces you see hanging on the chalkboard wall. Post coming soon!
The Dining Room drapes are next.
 Then I can show you the entire new room reveal!!

Happy Painting friends!

Sharing at French Country Cottage
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