April 02, 2010

Say It On A Blackboard



MIRROR MIRROR on the wall, why did you end up on a THRIFT STORE wall. This was a great unique vintage mirror find at a local thrift store and my thoughts were I had to have it. The mirror was framed in dark solid wood and all I could see is a cafe style blackboard and oh so practical. I removed the mirror down to it's bare frame stripping and sanding it then using my aging paint techniques with a distressed look. I needed the paint on this piece to appear as if it had been untouched for years, mounted on a weathered cafe wall announcing it's specials for the day. I painted it using white, French gray and cashmere tones, this way it would assure a look that it was distressed with age. It was distressed in areas that this piece would have taken on naturally as if it were found at a European flea market. I then replaced the mirror with a piece of paneling that I primed then painted with a slate chalkboard paint, it was then buffed out and screwed into the frame menu board style.

I love that a framed blackboard European cafe style acts as a piece of art to a room, as well as function. It can charm a room with a planned menu, inspirational sayings, as well as encouraging daily quotes.
A blackboard can conjure up in most of us, those old scary feelings of being called to the front of the classroom to solve a problem.... A blackboard like this fashioned in vintage menu board style, will only beckon you to leave a sweet message.

35 comments:

Debra@CommonGround said...

Just found you and adore your blog, the blackboard is wonderful! Come by for a visit when you can.
Easter blessings,
Debra

Olde Tyme Marketplace said...

If I could leave a message on your blackboard it would say........FABULOUS! What a great job you did!
Thanks for your visit today and sweet words!
Smiles,
Beth
P.S You are on my blog roll too!!

Prior said...

This so sweet! LOVE IT... Lezlee

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Cheers My Friend~I just made myself one too! Don't you love them, How fun!

Perfect shape for a Cafe Style.~Enjoy Kim

Fabulously French said...

Love the blackboard, we have a few in our house and would be lost without them.

Joyeux Paques,

Leeann

TAPESTRIESOFNATURE said...

I'VE SEEN A LOT OF BLACKBOARDS AROUND LATELY, BUT YOURS IS THE MOST WONDERFUL! GREAT JOB!

Obee Designs said...

Hi Dore,
What a wonderful idea! That's goregous :)
Have a wonderful Easter!!
XoXo
Gail

femme hesse said...

Hi Dore,

Thanks so much for helping out with the language problem on my blog :)
Why oh why do I not remember speaking with you???
Anyhow, your blog is truly lovely and inspiring!
Please keep in touch.

Peace,
Susan

Beach House Living said...

Your blackboard mirror came out great. I've had frames for two years meaning to do this project.

Jenni said...

Your mirror-turned-chalkboard looks wonderful! You did an amazing job on making it look old, too! I love it! :)

I hope you are having a good weekend, and also have a blessed Easter! :)

femme hesse said...

Ok, now I remember! Good to hear from you again...Happy Easter~

Les Cotrions said...

Faboulous chalckboard you made! Love the frame!!!
Hope you had a nice Easter!
Happy Monday!
Vale

MiaMaria said...

Hello!

And thanks for tour nice comments.....

What a lovely blog you have....nice photos and you are SO creative....
The blackboard you did is fabolous...grate job!

HAve a nice day!
MiaMaria

Antique Shows said...

A BEAUTIFUL BLOG AWARD HAS BEEN PASSED TO YOU...

Donatella said...

very nice! I love what you did... and it such the perfect shape for the blackboard...

Anonymous said...

What a great project! It came out really fabulously!

Laura Venosa Verbena said...

My beautiful box arrived today@! I love it! You truly have the special touch. xo Laura

Prior said...

Ha Ha, Yeah, it is a great store, huh! There are some great stores in Texas, I think... The people running them have a unique eye for display... I'm going to visit and post about them all. I'm getting better about having my camera with me... Lezlee

Deb said...

Love your blackboard and your paint job, looks awesome! Oh, I just found an old farm door to display in my living room...reminded me of your wonderful blog!

Nice and Easy Antiques said...

We all need a blackboard to keep us organized...yours turned out beautiful! Thank you for the visit and happy WW!

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

Love your black board. That is a great size too. I have a big one that I made. My grand daughters love it:)
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens

Welcome said...

I am ready to join you with a creative side. I am so pleased to have such a goood friend. Your style has such a soft and pleasant
feel. I hope you come on over visit me. I am ready to "Display" You have inspired me!

Farm Girl said...

Thank you so much for visiting, I just love the blackboard and I am going to have to see about making one myself, I love your site and your pictures are just beautiful. I am in love with burlap too. I always have been. I am going to put a link on my site if that is okay because I want to watch you too :)

La Dolce Vita Gal said...

Dore, thank you for visiting my blog ~ I'm so pleased you liked the photos! :) Redmond is just 4 minutes from our house in Sammamish - and actually, the outdoor pics from the engagement shoot were taken on one of the oldest roads in Redmond. Small world! I love your blackboard...I'm trying to decide where to use one in my tiny kitchen.

PS - I was tickled pink that you have Sara Bareilles on your playlist here. LOVE her.

About Southern Belle said...

Hi Dore, thanks for stopping by my blog. What a great chalkboard. I {adore} chalkboard paint, that and Mod Podge. You have a lovely blog, I'll be back. = )

~Christine

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness...I love it! Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Absolute perfection!

Blue Creek Home said...

I am delighted that you came by.
Lovin' your style and your blog!
Rhonda

Laura Venosa Verbena said...

played with my box tonight... love it...hope you are great! xo Laura

Romeo said...

Yeh, and why was that mirror at the thrift store???? I know....it was waiting for you and a new life in which it was loved and appreciated! Good catch (not as good as a tuna fish, but almost).

Purrs and head bonkers.

Romeo

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

so HAPPY to see you at farmhouse....your blog is wonderful...i love chalkboards too

i have an old one that i keep in my kitchen with whatever the next holiday is...with the menu on it....

memorial day picnic will be on soon...

so Happy to have a new friend..

kary

Amanda (Small Acorns) said...

I love blackboards too. I'm always looking out for wallspace, so now I can implement your idea too Dore. Looks great!

Room to Inspire said...

I am in love with this blackboard - and your blog is just so lovely!

Chelsea

Anonymous said...

I do this a lot with kitchen cabinet doors that I find here and there. One thing that I do to mine that really help with the believability factor is to use a piece of chalk turned on it's side and chalk up the entire surface of the chalk board. The wipe it clean. It introduces the chalk dust to the whole board and makes it look like it's been used for many years!
Your work is beautiful! I would love to trade links with you.

Zane Wooder said...

I love to draw little stick man on my chalkboard. I actually have a chalkboard on the wall in our kitchen and I tell the kids to put down what they want for dinner. That way when they come back from school I make them what they want.

Zane