Hello Friends!! It has been a week of projects here at our homefront. I took on a project I have never done before and never imagined doing…I removed a toilet. :/ It was actually very simple. I must say I was very intimidated by it at first. But YouTube to the rescue! I LOVE YouTube!! You can truly learn how to do anything. But don’t worry, that’s not what I’m going to share with you today. I won’t bore you with the details of “how to remove a toilet”. Instead, I bring to you a super-easy project. A chalkboard wall frame.
Last week, I finished painting my parents’ basement. This was quite the task…Originally my mom, wanting to go with an Ohio State theme, chose slate gray paint for underneath the chair rail running throughout the basement. And light gray paint for above the chair rail. However, because the trim is all painted a burnt red color it was causing the gray paint to appear blue. The two paint colors were competing with one another. The red is a warm tone and the gray lends itself to a cooler tone. Blue was not the look we were going for.
So after painting one coat and thinking, surely it’s going to get better, we decided to switch gears and go with all white walls. Excellent choice! The light walls brighten up the space and really makes it feel a lot bigger. Which is perfect for a basement.
To add a little pizazz, using black chalkboard paint, we painted an accent wall that sits behind the bar. And then we framed this space with “distressed” wood. I love projects like these…such a simple touch can change a room so much.
How to make an accent chalkboard wall:
Materials needed:
Chalkboard paint
2- 10 foot 1×6 pine boards (the length of the boards depends on how big your space is)
2- 8 foot 1×6 pine boards (for a smaller wall, you might want to go with 1×4’s)
1 & 3/4 nails
60-grit sandpaper
white paint
Annie Sloan Black Wax
Annie Sloan Clear Wax
old rag
Distressed Painting Technique Instructions for the Frame:
1. Cut your boards to the length needed (Home Depot can make your cuts for you, if you don’t have a miter saw)
2. Quickly sand each board with 60-grit sandpaper.
3. Paint each board with white paint…
4. Sand each board, roughing it up a bit…this will help the black wax stick to the parts you want to look distressed…
5. Rub black wax onto a section at a time. Let it sit for about 40 seconds and wipe it off…
6. Rub clear wax over that same section and then immediately wipe it off. This will lighten up the darker spots…
7. Repeat steps 5 & 6 til you get the look you want…
Assembling Frame to the Wall:
1. After you have painted the chalkboard paint on the area you want the chalkboard wall to be, you are ready to attach your boards.
2. I find that attaching the bottom board first works best. (Be sure to use a level to confirm it’s straight)
3. Then attach the left and right boards
4. Lastly, attach the top board
I personally prefer to use my nail gun for projects like these. However, if you don’t have a nail gun, a hammer works just fine.
These pictures really don’t do this wall justice. Here’s one more shot from a distance. Ignore all the stuff…this was before the basement was put back together…
Not sure that’s much better…sorry!! You’ll have to take my word for it…it’s very cool!
Designer Tip: When It Might Be Time to Bring in Help
If you’re working on your home and things still don’t feel quite right, you’re not alone. Many of our clients start exactly where you are now. They’ve gathered ideas, saved inspiration photos, and maybe even purchased a few pieces, but the space still doesn’t feel cohesive. That’s often the moment when having a designer can make all the difference. We help homeowners create a clear plan so every decision works together. From layout and furniture placement to finishes and lighting, the goal is a space that feels thoughtful, comfortable, and complete.
If you’d like a little guidance with your space, you can learn more about our interior design services below.
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Planning a kitchen, living room, or full home project? Start with a quick discovery call to see if we’re a good fit.
Until next time, have a great week!!
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