I painted a wall and the back splash in my kitchen with chalkboard paint a few months ago. It was for an HGTV article and I figured I could paint over it after the photo shoot if I didn’t like it. Well, I loved it. It’s funny how black was the bold “punch of color” my kitchen needed against the white cabinets and pale blue walls. For a month or two, I quickly erased all doodles and scribbles. The neat freak in me didn’t like graffiti on my wall. One day, I decided to fight the OCD urges and leave the artwork and words. I found that I really liked them.
A little historical quote from my niece… (She also wrote “Go Giants!”, but I had to erase that nonsense.)
…some scribbles from my kids and an inside joke from one of the teens in our youth group…
…a signature…
…a compliment from my sister in law…
…a thank you…
…and some school pride…
They’re random and haphazard and not symmetrical and not staged. They may be scribbles, but they’re meaningful ones.
Just a little update on taking care of myself – I have not had a DDP since Tuesday. I still want one in the afternoons, but the cravings are going away. I just need to stick with it. I’m really enjoying all of the fresh fruits and veggies, especially cherries and kiwi.
Yum.
I haven’t kicked the Raisinets. Some things are sacred.
 |
Raisinets are the greatest. They will be forever in my life.
I love the chalkboard pictures! Too cute!
Oh, I just love meaningful stuff like this!!! Your walk looks awesome. “Deuce.” Ha! I have a chalkboard door and I love walking by and seeing random scribbles from my kids…or something {usually sarcastic} from my sis. Hey! btw – I found a set of those same lavender napkins on Etsy! Finally my weekly search paid off! Have a great week.
i love that you are always changing from the chalkboard and its randomness to your control over the ddp. keep it all up. changes happen when you need them to. xoxo.
I love it…beautiful touch in your home that warms the heart every time you walk into your kitchen..(atta girl with the DDP, although I’m not sure I can EVER quit my Coca-Cola habit…that is sacred to me..
A few years ago I painted my laundry closet folding doors with chalkboard paint. Each Christmas I have my entire family here and everyone heads for the doors and chalk. I usually write Merry Christmas on the doors before they arrive and they take it from there. It takes me months before I can erase their scribbles, sarcasms and silliness. I usually take a photo after they have all gone home. Enjoyed your post and the pictures of your chalkboard wall…maybe I need to do a wall too so they will have more room to draw. Best, Vicki
I wish I could leave a message on your chalkboard.. It would read..”Thank You for giving me the encouragement to live my dreams…” I think you are great!
p.s. It took me several months to kick the Cherry Pepsi habit.. (one of the hardest things I have ever done.EVER.) I’m not a health nut but I can honestly say it is changing my life. You will be amazed at how much better you feel and the energy you have.. You can do it!!
Fun that you kept all the little memories! My Mom used to leave my baby girls handprints on her patio door for weeks after they had been there!
I don’t think I’ve ever had raisinets. Should I NOT try them!?!!
I have been an educator for 30 years so the chalkboard thing just tugs at my heart. The way the kids express themselves with their quips and doodles is awesome. I love the idea Vicki shared on her comment and it is a great idea to take a photo of some of the memorable drawings/sayings.
You are making a huge difference in your youth group’s lives by letting them mess up your house. Trust me, 30 years from now they will NOT forget your kindness.
Hi Marian – i think the chalkboard looks great. i would probably be the same as you. initially wishing to have it pristine but then enjoying the comments. good on you re the diet drink (we don’t have that exact one in Australia but i was hooked on diet coke). the cravings do get less so hang in there. love your style and photos as always
cheers Fiona
Love the writing on your walls. Who can resist picking up the chalk and writing. Such a lovely space in your kitchen. Good for you for trying to eat and be healthier. We had a couple of scares this weekend in our family and I feel like looking after yourself and eating right is so important. Soda is so tempting sometimes though.
My tiny little girlfriend eats 6 Oreos every day. Puts them on a plate with a dollop of cool whip.on top of each one. Then she eats them slowly, one by one, savoring every bite.That is her thing. She only skips it if she has dessert out somewhere. Treats are important (especially to women). I think it is a tiny self-affirmation that we should never completely give up. Keep the Raisinets.
P.S. Good for you for keeping the OCD at bay for the chalkboard backsplash. That is something I know I couldn’t manage. I have enough problems obsessing with the whiteboard at work!
Jenny
I called my blog Meaningful Nest just because of things like your chalkboard. I love it! I know you want it to look beautiful, with amazing script and wording, but letting the kids and others put their special mark on it gives it so much meaning, if only for the day. I am trying to let go of that vision of perfection and that it’s okay if my “chalkboard” of life has smudges and graffiti, along with imperfect, crooked graphics all over it.
Sprinkle just a little brown sugar on the kiwi – yum
Best way to eat a kiwi! It’s even a little fun to hollow out the shell. Entertainment and a snack all in one. Yes please!
This is great! I have wanted to do a Chalkboard wall for a while…this is definitely inspiring! But the best part is meaningful “contributions” made by your friends and family.
I do so love that chalkboard wall! Good for you on the DDP, and the OCD!
I love the scribbles. I have a large door made into a chalkboard and there is always something new and fun that one of my four kids have drawn or written. It always makes me smile.
I found your site about a month ago and LOVE it. Everything is great. Love your paint colors and the backsplash is a great idea. I will have to find someplace in my home to put chalkboard paint. Love the idea.
love the real..in your chalk board….and DDP I can’t let go as easy….2 glasses a day..hey it’s not a liter…my one weakness black licoricia….the really good kind….having a funky blah day….thanks for some fun stuff..me I would do a peace sign on your chalkboard….we could all use a lil more
No place for chalk board paint in my kitchen but I had an epiphany this morning! I bought neon white board markers to use on the door’s window that is btw dining rom and kitchen plus we wrote the verse of the week on the window we look out of while prepping food. Love it!!
I have thought about painting my bathroom wall with chalk paint after seeing this on another blog.I may get the nerve after summer break.Yes your home is a lovely work of art! Good for you.Glad your not having withdraws from DDP.I don’t know if I could give up my coffee.And for my family’s sake I won’t LOL.
xx
Anne
I LOVE seeing all of these! I struggle with the OCD part of wanting to clean my chalkboards or have them perfect all the time too, but it’s so much more special having all of these wonderful memories!
I LOVE chalkboard walls and space, and this looks so great. Ever changing art , but less recycle!
I actually painted a chalkboard wall today at the Beach House and am SOOO excited ~ 1. Pictures are this Thursday. 2. I’m crossing my fingers that my friend (photographer)’s daughter (who is a senior in HS) will come draw some awesome pictures on it for the shoot. She is SO good it’s crazy! Anyway….I’m just catching up on some reading and found it ironic that I happened to paint a chalkboard wall today. Lol 
Touches like this are exactly what make a house a home! Okay…I have to ask: Is the chalkboard backsplash difficult to keep clean with the cooking splashes & such that happen? Just wondering if grease or tomato sauce splatters wipe off easily or ruin the finish? Thanks for such wonderful inspiration!
We painted our entire entryway in chalkboard paint and love it. With 3 little boys, it’s always being filled with something.
Ha i love that. I inherited a chalkboard wall when we moved into our apartment and we’ve used it as a visitor’s ‘book’ which i now love – keeps friends and family from England close to us. http://dwellingonadime.blogspot.com/2012/06/chalkboard-visitors-book.html
I love the chalkboard wall! I’m going to mention it to my daughter. My two year old grandson has a secret stash of sharpies, so maybe this would save her walls! Because of health reasons I’ve had to give up gummi bears. I’m afraid though, they will have to pry the potato chips from my cold, dead fingers! I just discovered your site acouple of weeks ago. I was watching some of your tutorials and some are no longer available. Can I find them somewhere else? Love the site!
thank you for being so good at writing and giving information, you do it very well, and your website is very good too, congratulations.http://www.acertemail.com
Marian, I have two questions for you about your wall.
1 – which chalkboard paint did you end up using? There are so many conflicting reviews out there! I really respect your opinion and expertise, so I’m asking you
2 – How do you do that incredible lettering? I’m am the least artistic person I know. I’d love to be able to have something fancy and fun like that up high (where little hands cannot go!), but despair of ever getting it to look so nice. Tips? Tricks? Total cheats? I’m all ears!
I saw you in the Christmas Ideas and I went crazy. i LOVE LOVE your house and decorations. Thank you for making my day. Thanks! Cheryl