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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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November 2, 2011

DIY Framed Chalkboard Art

chalkboard-square2
Well…it seems like a long time ago when I entered my dining room in Debra at Common Ground’s Design Challenge.  I took to heart all of the fabulous ideas and suggestions offered by Debra’s readers and have slowly been implementing them between finishing up my kitchen remodel. 
I think I might have been juggling too many remodeling balls at one time but I am almost done with all of my current projects. whew! Just in time for the holidays!
So, I’m excited to give you a little sneak peek of my dining room as I share this fun project I just completed.  I first saw this idea on the fabulous Miss Mustard Seed’s blog and knew I wanted to make one as well.
chalkboard-3
I just love the idea of having a chalkboard in a dining area to share the menu of the evening or to have a fun seasonal quote. Even better this is what you see immediately when you walk in our front door.  I love greeting my guests in this way!
To create my chalkboard, I used some inexpensive framed art that went with my old dining room color scheme but that I was now no longer using.
chalkboard-tutorial
I know, it’s pretty. But it was bought on clearance and it was gathering dust in the garage.  And the frame was perfect for my project!
It was actually harder to remove the canvas than I thought it would be.  I ended up cutting the canvas out with an exacto knife. 
chalkboard-5
I left the wood frame intact because I found when I tried to remove it, it was starting to damage the decorative frame. I didn’t want to spend any money on this project so I scrounged up a piece of scrap beadboard from my kitchen project.
chalkboard-tutorial2
I measured the size I needed by flipping the frame over and measuring the outer opening.  This way I could attach the board to the inside frame from the back and any cut edged would be concealed. Next I painted the back of the beadboard with two coats of chalkboard paint and painted the inside plain wood frame by mixing some acrylic champagne and pearlized white paint to get a nice sheen.  I then nailed the board onto the inner frame from the back.
chalkboard-4
Here you can see an up close glimpse of the white paint on the inner frame and the pretty sheen.
chalkboard-2 
And here’s how it looks when you come in my front door.  What do you think about my new wall color and wainscoting? I’ve added it to the dining room and my entry and hallway! It was a ton of work but so worth it! We have to finish the flooring, add a chandelier and hang the curtains and then I’ll share the big reveal! Do you like my subtle Halloween touches? I adore the little black “chandelier” and mirror cut-outs.  Dollar Tree of course!
chalkboard-1
Robert Louis Stevenson is one of my favorite authors and poets and I love this quote by him.  I thought it was perfect for Autumn and a reminder of how each day we plant seeds into the lives of others.  I hope that is how you see us here At The Picket Fence…as seed planters. We strive to plant seeds of joy, happiness, encouragement, inspiration and truth into the lives of our readers…
chalkboard-square2
and you each do the same for us.  And the harvest? Why beautiful friendships of course!
Thank you for taking a peek at my dining room.  I hope you like my little DIY Framed Chalkboard Art and as always….thank you for joining me At The Picket Fence!
signature
This post is partying at:
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday’s Treasures
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednsday
DIY By Design: Fall Into Fall
No Minimalist Here: Open House Party
Stuff and Nonsense: Friday Unfolded
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday
2805: Potpourri Friday
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday

35 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Decorating, Dining Room, DIY, Good Ideas, Tutorials

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement says

    November 1, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    That’s a great frame! I’ve been making a lot of chalkboards lately (having my first boutique soon) 🙂 and it’s hard to find frames with that kind of detail.

    Nice work!

    Pam

    Reply
  2. Crystal @ Ordinary Days says

    November 1, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    I love it! It is gorgeous!! The quote is wonderful as well. I have a chalkboard in my kitchen that was actually bought from Homegoods as a chalkboard. When I painted the trim around it a different color, I used tape around the edges. It pulled a little of the chalkboard surface off. I bought some chalkboard paint and repainted it. Now every time I try to erase what I have written it will not come off. What chalkboard paint have you had success with?

    Reply
  3. poppilinnstudios says

    November 1, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    Beautiful! I need to make a big chalkboard for my kitchen. Love the frame!
    -Lynn

    Reply
  4. Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing says

    November 1, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    That looks awesome! Really nice job.

    Reply
  5. amy says

    November 1, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    Love it! Nice work…such a cute space.

    Reply
  6. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    November 1, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Gorgeous blackboard, gorgeous vignette on that gorgeous chest, gorgeous wall color and wainscotting. Did I say gorgeous? Can’t wait for the reveal.

    Reply
  7. http//deoudehuize.blogspot.com/ says

    November 1, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    Love this unique blackboard and the wonderful message.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  8. JodieMo says

    November 1, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    I love framed chalkboards! We have one that is framed in an old window frame. Cute and functional!

    Reply
  9. Honey at 2805 says

    November 1, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    It’s beautiful: the chalkboard and the vignette, and the wainscotting! How exciting. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the big reveal!

    Reply
  10. Kelly says

    November 1, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    I really love it. I love chalkboards with cute messages or quotes on them used for decoration. The gold frame just sets it off perfectly.

    Reply
  11. NanaDiana says

    November 1, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Love that room…what I can SEE of it, that is!;>) Can’t wait to see the whole reveal~ Your chalkboard turned out great..but what a mess to get that picture out of there, huh?

    Great inspirational saying that you found! xo Diana

    Reply
  12. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    November 1, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    Hey Heather…it’s been so long since I’ve visited you guys…I am finally catching up with “stuff.” This post is awesome. I don’t even know where to begin. It all is just so perfect…from the lamp to the dresser to the framed pieces to the wall treatment. Whew! Well done girl.

    Reply
  13. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    November 1, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    That looks great, Heather! I love how the color of the frame works so well with your mirror and lamp. I think that is a wonderful view to see when people come into your home. Great quote, too!

    Reply
  14. Judy says

    November 1, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    I love that frame. What a great idea to turn it into a chalkboard. Love the new color of your dining room. Just beautiful. Can’t wait to see the full reveal.

    Reply
  15. Val says

    November 1, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    I like it….I like it a lot!!! It turned out perfectly.

    Reply
  16. Tanya@takesix says

    November 1, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    GREAT chalkboard, Heather!! I’ve been on the lookout for a nice frame to do the same thing. Can’t wait to see your “new” dining room!

    Reply
  17. Marianne says

    November 2, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    The frame looks great Vanessa and I love the quote. Can’t wait to see how the dining room turned out.
    Marianne 🙂

    Reply
  18. Marianne says

    November 2, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    I meant to say Heather…SORRY 🙁

    Reply
  19. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    November 2, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    Heather I LOVE the little peek you gave us, absolutely beautiful!! Can’t wait to see more! Martina

    Reply
  20. Debbie says

    November 2, 2011 at 12:41 AM

    That’s really pretty, Heather. I would like to do something like that. I think it would look nice in my kitchen.

    I would do quotes… I mean, there’s nothing all that spectacular about my menues.

    Reply
  21. Lisa @ Shine Your Light says

    November 2, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    What a gorgeous frame. Way to transform it! And I love that quote.

    Reply
  22. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    November 2, 2011 at 1:02 AM

    Nicely done, Heather! Can’t wait to see the big reveal … because the “little” touches are looking good!

    Reply
  23. At The Picket Fence says

    November 2, 2011 at 1:21 AM

    That’s ok Marianne! Sometimes our own parents mix us up. LOL! 🙂

    Reply
  24. Debbie-refreshrestyle says

    November 2, 2011 at 3:41 AM

    Heather, love your frame…but I love you two seed planters more! Thanks for the friendship! I can’t wait for the reveal of this room, these little peaks looks awesome!
    Debbie

    Reply
  25. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    November 2, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    Heather, thanks for linking this to my party this week. Have a good one!

    Reply
  26. Christine @ Stonehouse Living says

    November 2, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    Hi Heather,

    Wow, you have been busy!! I love all of the changes you have made! The blackboard is so beautiful.
    The contrast between the inner frame and the gold is so sharp…
    Great post!
    All the Best,
    Christine

    Reply
  27. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    November 2, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    Very nice, Heather. That frame is gorgeous! I have a big dresser mirror from and old dresser that’s just sitting in our garage. I’ve been thinking of turning it into a large chalkboard. Hmm, you might have just pushed me to do it. =) Can’t wait to see your dining room reveal!

    ~ Catie

    Reply
  28. Leslie says

    November 2, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    I love it!
    Love it!
    Doncha love quick fix projects?
    Sometimes I don’t think about the seeds. Thank you for the reminder.
    I am Pinteresting this!
    Muah!

    Reply
  29. Michele Smith says

    November 2, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    I love chalkboards and yours is great! Beautiful vignette too!

    Reply
  30. Cottage and Broome says

    November 3, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    I love the chalkboard you did a great job. It looks beautiful stacked with your other items. Laura – Cottage and Broome

    Reply
  31. Kahli says

    November 4, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    I love it! The quote is great as well as your handwriting! Did you use chalkboard spray paint or something else?

    Reply
  32. Meredith from A Mother Seeking says

    November 4, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    Love this idea… and love that you can rotate the message! Great idea.
    Meredith From A Mother Seeking Come find me on my blog, A Mother Seeking…

    Reply
  33. Honey at 2805 says

    November 5, 2011 at 1:13 AM

    Hi! I’m stopping back by to say thank you for sharing your creative post at Potpourri Friday!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Feathered Boa Heart Wreath says:
    January 29, 2013 at 3:33 PM

    […] 8.  Hang with wide coordinating ribbon. I have had so much fun hanging different wreaths on my DIY framed chalkboard in the dining […]

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  2. How to Make Framed Fabric Wall Art with Target Kitchen Towels! - At The Picket Fence says:
    August 8, 2013 at 5:01 AM

    […] My Framed Chalkboard Art Sand and Sisal’s Framed Shower Curtain Fabric Art  Four Generations One Roof’s DIY Wall Art Pretty Handy Girl’s Easy and Stylish Sun Print Art […]

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