Love Grows Wild

Decorating and Home, Tutorials

Easy DIY Kitchen Chalkboard

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gecko Tech for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’m pulling together some of the last pieces of my kitchen makeover, and I cannot wait to show you it all! I’ve tackled a few bigger projects like my rustic chalkboard and faux roman shades, but I always find that it’s the small details in a space that really make it come alive. I’ve been wanting to dress up our cabinets a bit, and since I’m still totally crushing on my big chalkboard on the back wall, I thought I would add a smaller version to the cabinets! (Yes, I’m totally obsessed with chalkboards right now! It’s a fact!) So today I’ll show you how I made a gorgeous kitchen chalkboard PLUS my secret to creating awesome chalk art!

How to make a Chalkboard for your Kitchen PLUS an awesome chalk art tip!

Awhile back I was doing my weekly grocery shopping and stumbled upon these cute little boards in the craft section at Meijer’s. They reminded me of the boards Whipperberry used on her awesome chalkboard wall, and I couldn’t help but toss one in my cart! Okay, two… Fine, it was three! I decided  to turn one of them into a chalkboard for my kitchen as sort of a mini me version my big chalkboard.

First I grabbed one of my boards, peeled the label off, and wiped away any dust. Then I sprayed the board with 3 coats of Rust-Oleum chalkboard spray paint. That stuff is so neat! You can turn almost anything into a fun chalkboard! After allowing the board to dry for the recommended time, I seasoned the chalkboard really well. To do that, you just rub the side of a piece of chalk all over the board in little circles until it is completely covered. Then I wiped the board down with a clean rag, and I was ready to drawing!
Are you ready for the BEST chalk art tip in the world? I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before now! It is really hard to make intricate designs with chalk when you’re working with a dull tip. Gently sharpen your chalk in a pencil sharpener to create a fine tip just like a pencil! It makes drawing your chalk art so so SO much easier!
Now it’s time for the fun part… creating the chalk art! I love browsing Pinterest for pretty chalk art ideas, and I even have a Chalkboard Art pin board that you can check out for inspiration! Since this chalkboard was going to hang in my kitchen, I decided to write a line from a song written by Dave Matthews Band. Or DMB. Or just Dave. Or as I like to call him, my other husband. Either way, they are my all-time favorite band! I could write four blog posts full of stories about high school, best friends, and Dave Matthews Band concerts, but I will save those crazy, cherished memories for some other time.
These song lyrics are not only close to my heart but fit perfectly in my kitchen. I like to type the words on the computer before writing them so I can find the fonts I want to use. Then it’s really easy to copy them onto the chalkboard!
When it comes to hanging things on my walls, I try to avoid nails whenever I can. I’m a chronic re-decorator, and I never know when the mood will strike to switch things around! I recently discovered these Gecko Tech Reusable Hooks from Duck Brand and couldn’t wait to give them a shot. 
These hooks are made with microsuction synthetic rubber technology that allows them to be used again and again. The hooks can be used on laminate, tile, glass, plasterboard, stainless steel, and any other smooth, hard nonporous surface. They do not do any damage where they are applied and remove completely clean. Perfect for renters!
To apply the hook to my cabinet, I first cleaned the surface with rubbing alcohol. Then I just pressed the hook where I wanted to hang my chalkboard and pushed out any air bubbles. It was that easy!
I did have a bit of trouble getting the smallest size hooks (1/2 lb. weight) to stick, but I switched to a 3 lb. hook and it worked perfectly! The clear hook blends in with my cabinet, and you can hardly tell it is there. I love that there are no adhesives you have to keep purchasing like with other hooks on the market. 
And when I’m ready to switch out my decor, all I have to do is warm the hook with a hair dryer, wash it in warm, soapy water, and I’m ready to use it again! How cool is that?

So are you chalkboard-obsessed like me? Do you have any chalkboards in your home? 
You can find the Gecko Tech Reusable Hooks I used in this post currently at Meijer stores and soon on Amazon and Office Max as well!
Duck Brand, the makers of Gecko Tech, is also on Twitter! Follow @TheDuckBrand for tons of creative inspiration!

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30 Comments

Comments

  1. Samantha Heather says: August 30, 2013 at 12:45 am

    I dont know why I didn’t think of this before! So simple, yet so perfect! Very pinterest worthy haha

    Thank you for posting 🙂

    samanthaheather.blogspot.com

    Reply
  2. Lisa Longley says: August 30, 2013 at 1:48 am

    So cute!! I love this! I’m obsessed with chalk boards too! Pinning!

    Reply
  3. Laura (TLN) says: August 30, 2013 at 8:37 am

    Awesome idea!

    Reply
  4. Susan D says: August 30, 2013 at 11:41 am

    I have a cutting board like this I got for free at a garage sale and I am TOTALLY doing this! Thanks for the awesome tip about sharpening the chalk!

    Reply
  5. Ashleigh Pinkerton says: August 30, 2013 at 3:23 pm

    Oh my word – LOVE. My husband will be out of town for a week soon, so I plan on taking a few decorating tips from you and getting to work! I love the sticky hooks you used – I’ve had terrible luck with 3M tabs lately and need another option. I hope these hit amazon/office max SOON.

    -Ashleigh, Craftistas

    Reply
  6. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says: August 30, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    I am chalk-board obsessed! I think I will make one of these for my kitchen!

    Reply
  7. Selene @ Restoration Beauty says: August 30, 2013 at 5:51 pm

    That is the cutest little kitchen chalkboard I’ve seen, Liz!!
    Love the fonts, too!

    Reply
  8. Chels/Catz in the Kitchen says: August 30, 2013 at 5:53 pm

    I totally love your kitchen! It is so darling! I’m so glad I recently started receiving your email subscriptions-I wish I had done it sooner.

    Reply
  9. Lolly Jane says: August 31, 2013 at 12:05 am

    I need a Meijers 🙁 LOL!-adorable!

    Reply
  10. Beth @ Incomplete Guide to Living says: August 31, 2013 at 1:07 am

    Uhhhhhhh…love it! (And chalkboards!) recently used one while making a coffee bar! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Emily says: August 31, 2013 at 3:51 am

    Love this project! Pinned!

    Reply
  12. [email protected] says: August 31, 2013 at 8:59 pm

    Oh awesome, Liz!! LOVE it. I just purchased an old wooden cutting board in this same shape from Goodwill but it is full of “mystery stains” so I planned on decorating with it {not every letting my food touch it…LOL}. This is the perfect idea!! 🙂

    Reply
  13. Maria says: September 2, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    Ohhh what a cute idea!!! I LOVE how you used the cutting board for this – I love the shape and it works so well as a little chalkboard and kitchen decoration! Beautiful idea! 🙂

    Reply
  14. Sierra says: September 3, 2013 at 8:29 am

    Really an ingenious idea. This will absolutely add extra beauty in my kitchen and make stylish too. Thanks for sharing this informational read.

    Reply
  15. Hani Bacova says: September 3, 2013 at 11:36 am

    Thank you so much, just what I needed. I’m making this ASAP. Love it! Pinning!

    Reply
  16. Sherry says: September 4, 2013 at 5:46 pm

    Love this idea! How cute!

    Reply
  17. Jocelyn says: September 5, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    I just adore this chalkboard! I might just have to totally copy you and make one for my kitchen!! 😉

    Reply
  18. Cara Kueck says: September 5, 2013 at 10:56 pm

    I love this! Such a cute idea! This just made me so hungry. They look so yummy! If you like to link up come over to Craft Frenzy Friday at http://www.craftdictator.com! It goes live Thursdays at 7:00 PM Central! I hope to see you there!

    Reply
  19. Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage says: September 6, 2013 at 2:55 am

    Such a great idea! It is so cute! I want to make one for sure!!

    Reply
  20. Heather says: September 7, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    Your little chalkboard turned out to be so cute!

    I think this post is such a great example of what a good sponsored post can be – you shared about the product but the post was still about YOUR craft. Great work!

    Reply
  21. Total Pharmacy Supply says: September 8, 2013 at 1:10 pm

    I really like that! Such a great idea. And yours is such a simple, lovely design.

    Reply
  22. TidyMom says: September 8, 2013 at 5:43 pm

    Such a cute idea Liz!!

    Thanks for linking up! I featured your post in my wrap up http://tidymom.net/2013/creative-ideas-3/ Have a great rest of the weekend.

    Reply
  23. Christine Vandormolen says: September 9, 2013 at 3:41 pm

    Love Love Love this…pinning…Christine from Little BRags

    Reply
  24. Julie Corbisiero says: September 9, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    Hi, and wow what a cute idea! I really want to make this and I pinned it. Thanks for sharing it on craft o maniac.
    Julie from julieslifestyle.blogspot.com

    Reply
  25. Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates says: September 11, 2013 at 4:12 am

    Very cute! And such a simple idea – love that.

    Reply
  26. Anonymous says: October 27, 2013 at 11:55 am

    I absolutely love your blog. This such a helpful tutorial that I will use often.
    By the way, did you know the quote – “Eat, drink and be merry” is originally from the Bible?

    Reply
  27. Nikki Comma says: December 9, 2013 at 8:58 pm

    Great idea! I love the ‘seasoning’ of the board to start. And I would never have thought to sharpen chalk in a pencil sharpener. Thanks for this post.

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: December 10, 2013 at 7:20 am

      That was definitely one of those “light bulbs” moments the first time I sharpened a piece of chalk! I never could understand how people could get those perfect fine lines before this! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  28. Kelly says: January 18, 2015 at 11:38 pm

    This is great – thanks but I felt compelled to say that the lyrics from Dave Matthews song are actually from a Bible verse. Luke 12:19 (quoting from the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes) says “. . . . Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”
    Just thought you should know where it originally came from 🙂

    Reply

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Liz Fourez started Love Grows Wild in 2012 with a passion for interior design and homemaking and a dream to help others create a home they love.  From simple project tutorials, to holiday and entertaining ideas, to her journey renovating a 1940’s farmhouse, Liz demonstrates how to create a beautiful and inviting home with a handmade touch. She turned her signature cozy, neutral style into a best-selling book in 2016 and continues to inspire readers with her captivating photography and easy decorating ideas. Read more about Liz > > > >