I had a few ideas that I bounced around with on Pinterest - would it be a command center, a calendar, a menu board, an epic picture frame? I finally decided on a menu board. I cook all of our meals at home but almost daily I find myself at a loss for what to cook tonight. Planning ahead for the week keeps me on task and I've been able to reduce our grocery store visits to about once a week; sometimes only once every two weeks!
I hadn't played around with chalk paint before so after giving this dusty old frame a good wipe down I gave it a layer of Walmart brand Chalk paint in Parisian Gray. I know, Annie Sloan is the typical favorite when it comes to chalk paint but I decided that I was up for the challenge of keeping this a low budget project and seeing how the less expensive stuff turns out.
My local Wal-Mart carries an inexpensive chalk paint so I picked up a bottle of Parisian Gray and clear wax to seal it. I gave the frame a couple lights coats of the gray, allowed it to dry (chalk paint dries very quickly) and I decided on a whim to give it a quick brushing of standard black latex paint that I had laying around from a previous project. I focused on antiquing the edges and design on the top and I quickly wiped most of the excess black paint off. This gave the frame a really aged stonelike look. Because of the incredibly low investment that I had in the mirror frame I decided to use what I had on hand, albeit unconventional for chalk paint projects. I was actually really pleased with the outcome!
To create the chalk board I used Valspar chalk board paint, which I purchased at Lowe's. They have it available in spray paint or liquid paint form and I chose the liquid paint because I can think of a few more projects that I could use it for. This took about 6 layers to create a thick, smooth layer that is perfect for writing with chalk.
For a super thrifty find and about $20 in paint supplies - I don't think it turned out half bad!
This chalkboard is so pretty! You did an awesome job. Wish I was that crafty. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea and suggestion! I can never have enough frames, and I love variety.
ReplyDeleteI love how you used the black to create an antique-y look. Definitely brings out the detail on the the frame!
ReplyDeleteThis is adorable! It'd make a great piece for the front hall, to add notes, reminders, and phone numbers to. And it's so chic, it'd fit right in!
ReplyDeleteI love the chalk board! I want to try to! I may make a second one with magnetic paint as well.
ReplyDeleteI really Love finding article's on how to DIY :-) I mean who doesn't want to create something absolutely gorgeous for their household without needing to spend a arm and a leg or two :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is a really cute idea. Chalkboards are really in right now, and this would be a great way to epicycle an old mirror!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome idea! Had to share that one pretty sure there are a couple of mirrors at my mothers house stuffed away no one wanted!
ReplyDeleteLooooove it!! Turned out fabulous!! Im pretty good at started project and spending millions to finish it lol!! You did great on this one!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome!!! I would love to try this because I love chalk boards, they look so cute =]]
ReplyDeleteThis is sucvh a great way to refurbish a mirror! :) I love chalk board paint, it's perfect for my homeschool classroom (I painted a whole wall!)! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so gonna try this! thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I have an old mirror sitting in storage I found for $2 at a thrift store, every once in a while I think about how I should really turn it into a chalkboard…maybe one day!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cute! I have a mirror that has a broken frame. I know I can fix it, but the mirror won't be going back it- I think this would be a great thing to do with mine!
ReplyDeleteSo cool! Great job!
ReplyDeleteWith a frame like that, the possibilities are endless! I'd probably never get around to doing anything with one but you on the other hand did a great job!
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant! I think it's not to hard for me to mess up either! 😝
ReplyDeleteI love chalk paint and this is a great idea. That frame is epic though don't see those very much in my parts.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Beautiful too. Artsy and cute!
ReplyDeleteYour chalkboard frame turned out beautifully!
ReplyDeleteThat looks great. I am great at buying pieces to refinish, not so great at finishing them ;) .
ReplyDeleteI love this! You did a great job on the frame! Definitely a good idea with yard sale season here...
ReplyDeleteThis is a really great idea, and I'd like to hang something like this in my dining room!
ReplyDeleteso cute and sooo easy!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be looking at garage sales for something like this now!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cute craft and super useful too!
ReplyDelete