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Give Thanks: DIY Chalkboard Niche

Give Thanks: DIY Chalkboard Niche

on Nov 22, 2016
One of the many things I'm thankful for this year is the fact that my husband and I were able to move into a place of our own. We bought our first home and what a pleasant (and, yes, sometimes stressful) experience it was for us. We went through a lot of transitions this year. I switched day jobs, we built a house, and got a significant amount of debt out from under us (despite the frustrating experience of finding out I was a victim of identity theft). Regardless of these major changes, I'm so proud that we were able to pull it off this year! We went through a tough first 5 years of marriage, and now I feel we're finally getting the hang of it financially. With my current position at work, I'm not sure how much work I'll be able to get prior to the busy season, but I was at least able to pull this minor project off before the holidays. I'm so glad I was able to do it too! I'm so thrilled by the way it turned out. You can have it too if you follow these simple steps. I've included a how-to instructional guide below. DIY Chalkboard Niche Time: 2 hours - painting; allow 3 days to cure before writing/decorating Supplies needed: Sandpaper (I also used a sanding tool...would highly recommend) Rag Water Sanding Mask Painters Tape HEPA Vacuum Cleaner (there's a lot of dust!) Chalkboard Paint Paint Brush Mini Dense Foam Roller Paint Tray Chalk Our Blank Canvas Step One: Clean the Surface Before you begin sanding make sure you start with a clean surface. Wipe down with a damp cloth and allow to dry prior to starting the sanding process Step Two: Sanding the Surface We had textured walls, so we had to sand the plaster off the wall. Once everything was cleaned, make sure you have the proper equipment to start sanding. Since you are sanding paint, ensure you wear the proper safety gear. You'll experience a lot of dust; safety first! I vacuumed every few minutes to minimize dust and give my arms a little break. The edges were the most difficult portion to sand for me. Step Three: Clean the Surface (again!) Once you're finished sanding, you'll want to ensure that the surface is free from debris prior to painting the surface. Take a vacuum to the area again, and grab a rag and some water and wipe down the surface. Step Four: Prepare for Painting Ensure that your chalkboard boundaries are well taped. I thought I would be spray painting the surface when I started taping the walls with newspaper, but the newspaper isn't necessary if you don't want to be that careful.  .  Step Five: Painting the Surface Finally you get to the best part...painting your chalkboard niche! I started from the outside in. I think it worked pretty well with this method. Use a paint brush for the edges; use a dense foam roller for the middle. When there is a solid even coat on the entire surface, let it sit for approximately 30 minutes or until the surface is dry to the touch. Touch up as needed. Wait 3-4 hours before removing the tape/newspaper. Touch up as needed and wait 3 days before moving on to the next step.  .  Step Six: Curing your Chalkboard Niche After you've waited 3 days, the real fun begins! Take a piece of chalk and just go wild! Place light even coat across the entire surface and then erase. Now your chalkboard is ready to be decorated! To prepare for Thanksgiving festivities, I decorated mine with a autumn wreath my mom gave us as a housewarming gift in the center and a nice typography design I found online for inspiration.  .  Wishing you a home filled with laughter, friendship and great food this Thanksgiving!

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