Reveal: Chalk it Up

A few months back, a friend of mine passed a couple of side tables to me, and I took them not yet having a plan for what purpose they'd serve. But I knew I'd give them some form of paint treatment and I'm happy to report they are now functioning in my home.

I've used chalkboard paint in the past and love the idea of having it on surfaces other than just the wall. The color (which can be tinted to any color you'd like, but I chose to stay with black) feels rich and sophisticated, so even when you're not using it as a chalkboard, it looks nice outside of a child's bedroom.

While I was at it, I also painted an old canvas I've had for years that just wasn't my taste anymore and the backing of a frame -- also gifted from a friend.

What you'll need:
An old table, canvas or picture frame.
Chalkboard paint. (I used spray-on and brush-on)
Painters tape
Sandpaper
Paintbrushes

I started by wiping down the tops of the tables to remove any dirt or dust. I decided to leave a boarder of the natural wood on the outside of the chalkboard to give the tables a little more of a grown-up appeal. After taping off the edges, sand the area to be painted. It's important you do this step after painting so you don't remove the finish on the exposed wood, only the surface to be covered in chalkboard paint. Then just brush the paint on. Each of my tables took two coats, but I gave them three just to make sure there was ample coverage.

For the canvas and backing of the picture frame, I used the spray paint version of chalkboard paint. I could have easily just used the brush-on, but I prefer spray paint to brush-on any day. I couldn't use the spray paint for the tables since I was only painting a small portion. Also, there is no sanding necessary on the canvas and the frame backing.

If you're thinking of painting an entire piece, I would suggest painting the legs and body with black paint, and only the surface with chalkboard paint as it is quite a bit more expensive than regular paint. Unless, of course, you want the entire piece to function as a chalkboard.

There you have it. A fun little unexpected chalkboard, I love my new pieces!