The other day my mom was at my house and kindly pointed out the rips in my chairs.
"I know I need to re-cover them, but I'm just too busy," I told her.
My mom said "Come on! Go get your fabric and lets re-cover them."
And about an hour later...
"I know I need to re-cover them, but I'm just too busy," I told her.
My mom said "Come on! Go get your fabric and lets re-cover them."
And about an hour later...
"Ahhhh! My eyes are happy now."Then I got to thinking of how I've always wanted to paint something with chalkboard paint. Soon what was supposed to be a quick fix had become a "project." I suppose this is what I meant by not having the time, because I always want to expand on an idea. I sanded, primed, and began to paint.
The first coat was a little scary looking...
However, 3 coats later...
I like it! Surprisingly, the chairs don't have a super rough finish like a chalkboard. There is a little bit of a gloss to the paint.The fun part was watching my kids create...
I love the flamily too!
I decorated this chair. I couldn't resist. I always like how coffee shops and cafes write their menus on chalkboards all pretty like. So, I had to draw my bird scene that I always like to draw. A bird sitting on a stump next to a big tree. It's my "go to" drawing. You guys already knew that's what it was...right?I really like how the chairs turned out. Every day or so they change so it never gets boring. We've even used them to do tally marks for homework.
I used Valsper Chalkboard paint in black, which is more of a charcoal black as opposed to a pure black. One of the chairs had a glossy finish on it, so I had to sand off the finish first. I used spray paint primer to prime the other painted chairs before applying the chalkboard paint. It took 3 coats of paint to achieve a consistent look.
There is one negative to painting your chairs with chalkboard paint. It is that the chalk can get on your clothes. I just tell the kids to try to write on the backs of the chairs, but it really doesn't matter. It all comes off and I think the fun really out weighs the negative.
Update: I forgot to link to the fabric. The fabric is Quiet Ground by Echino. Here is the link.
Jamie
That turned out very very nice!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was reading your story, I was thinking all the time " but what about your clothes" :o), but I guess you are right: the fun is worth it!
Perfection! The fabrics is so fresh and I didn't realize that you have a fabric shop. Must make mental note to check back here for fun fabrics!
ReplyDeleteIt takes an artistic soul to allow your children to draw on your chairs ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, I love cafe chalkboard menus, too. The serious perk of actually working in a cafe is getting to create them! :)
ReplyDeleteKristina
Sweetfern Handmade
Those are beautiful. And fun!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great idea! My dad's opening a cafe of his own soon, I think we'll need to find some chalk board paint! Maybe make a small chalk board on each table? It would be like the restaurants with crayons on the tables for kids (...or adults!)
ReplyDeleteisn't chalkboard paint the most fun? in my last apartment i painted an entire wall in it and my friends would come over and cover it in drawings.
ReplyDeletenow i want to buy some more!
happy tuesday :)
They look AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteLove that fabric!
SO fantastic!!!!!
ReplyDeleteVery cute! And you can write names on the backs of them to assign seats...
ReplyDeleteGreat fabrics!
what a fun project for your AND the family!! :)
ReplyDeleteFabulous project, but I'm dying to know what the gorgeous fabric is that you used on the seats. Do want. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI totally forgot to link to the fabric. Sorry about that. The fabric is by Echino and it's called Quiet Ground. Here is the link http://www.phatfabric.com/ecjafaqugrin.html
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the kind words.
I'm going to paint my coffee table AND crockpot with chalkboard paint this very wk! Thanks, Jamie.
ReplyDeleteWendy, you're going to have to share. I'm going to stalk your blog to see finish pics.
ReplyDeleteHi! Wonderful job! How did you put the fabric on the seat? Did you sew or stitch it?
ReplyDeleteI just wrapped the fabric around and stapled it.
ReplyDeleteThanks =)
This brought back such special memories for me. As a child, I loved turning my artistic and creative talents to drawing on the walls of my bedroom which landed me in lots of trouble since the crayons weren't washable then. I would have loved to have had a chair that I could focus my artistic skills on. I realize that it's not too late since I have a grand grandson who will probably enjoy such a project and quality time with Nana. Thanks for the inspiration. Great job!
ReplyDeleteSo much fun! The chairs had great bones to begin with, but adorning them with chalkboard paint (and cute kiddo drawings) is even better! I'm linking up to your project sometime soon at Dollar Store Crafts. Thanks for the good idea!
ReplyDeleteIt will not really have effect, I feel like this.
ReplyDelete