Hello lovelies! We hope you’re enjoying the beginnings of a fabulous summer!
My friend Erin from Two Story Cottage is back today with a wonderful project to share with all of you, so without further ado… take it away Erin!
I’ve been wrapped up in a pre-summer purge that has gotten me very acquainted with Craig and his mighty List. Any friends of Craig here? Yeah, I thought you might know him. Much like Ashley and Jamin, I’ve been feeling the need to shed the schtuff. Pronto. Yesterday, if possible. Things that were fine for almost two years are now burning my eyeballs.
Speaking of eyes, this eyesore of a coffee table was about to be a goner. It doesn’t fit anywhere and has a giant stain that I made much worse with attempts to remove it. It turns out the table isn’t real wood- oops. Just another reason to pass it on, when mother of pearl, I had an epiphany. I’m mid-project on an outdoor space (that formerly resembled a Little Tikes warehouse) and hurting for furniture. Why not paint the top with chalkboard paint and put it on our screened porch? It makes sense in retrospect but it took two years for my lightbulb moment.
Chalkboard paint is all the rage and while trendy, it doesn’t seem to be fading out anytime soon. It is certainly easy and I’m all about zero-prep. I have used chalkboard paint on a couple of mirrors but this was my first furniture project. I ease into things so Ashley’s chalkboard refrigerator equates to cliff -jumping in my book. I say that with nothing but awe and admiration. I’ll start with the diving board and work my way up to her level.
The trick to this paint is a vigorous stirring. You want all of those particles evenly distributed, Hunger Games style.
Roll on the first coat and try to go with the grain. Or fake grain in my case. It will look terrible and you will want to cry. You will question yourself and your abilities. You will be certain this was a giant mistake. Let it dry for 30+ minutes while you bite your lip and twirl your hair.
The minute that second coat rolls on you can breathe a sigh of relief. It goes on smoothly and the coverage is MUCH better. In fact, I really only needed a third because I didn’t get the edges totally done on the second.
Three times was the charm for me but if you are a careful painter it might only take two. I love the matte finish and the color! You can tint chalkboard paint but I’m a big fan of the natural finish.
The coffee table blends right in and helps finish the space. Now I just need a couple of chairs. Those flowers are the backyard variety. A metal bucket holds chalk.
I had to go for the full view! The settee is from an out-of-business retailer and I got my very first gray hair last summer trying to track down my piece which was in a warehouse waiting to be shipped. It may or may not have taken six months.
Yes, you CAN draw on the table. Whoa, before you bust out the sidewalk chalk you need to season the chalkboard. This is a very important step as it makes it more erasable. Don’t ask me why that works, but I speak the truth.
Rub the side of a piece of chalk all over the piece until it looks like the above photo. I actually kind of dig the look but you can erase it all with a wet rag. I prefer a washcloth to a paper towel because it cleans up nicely.
Are you sure it is okay to draw on the table, Mom? This is where I admit that I like outdoor chalkboard activities for the sake of the dust. I don’t have to worry about keeping it as clean as I would inside.
Lacey was all about drawing on the table. It is clearly much more fun than the sidewalk.
So fun that I had to try my hat at coffee table drawing! And no, the flag is not accurate but it was fun for Memorial Day. I’ll try for the 13 stripe version on the 4th of July.
Any chalkboard paint lovers (or haters) in the house?
Megan @ Rappsody in Rooms says
SO cute! I love that you used what you had and made it beautiful! What a fun idea for Memorial Day too. I hope chalkboard paint never goes out of trend!
JT says
This is perfect! 😀
Jeanne says
We recently chalkboard painted the back of the door in the room my two daughters now share. While I suggested rolling the paint, my husband insisted on spray painting it. Wish we’d gone with the roller technique, especially since my husband has little to no patience for projects like this, but since I’m heavily pregnant, he offered and I accepted. Doesn’t really matter anyway because the girls love it! Looks a little splotchy, but with chalk all over it, you can’t really tell 🙂
Erin says
I have done both and I definitely prefer the roller! I agree though I wouldn’t argue with free labor. 🙂
Sara says
Did you not have to prime the table before rolling on the chalkboard paint?
Erin says
I didn’t prime and didn’t have any problems. The surface has not scratched, flaked, or dented even when we banged it through the screened door. 🙂
Lorrie Everitt says
Love this idea. Pinning it for my daughter to think about for her house at school!
Maryann C says
Love! I have the perfect, good-bones but ugly-totally-stained-top coffee table from a thrift store waiting in our garage. Off to buy some chalkboard paint! Thanks
Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way says
What a cool idea! I love this idea. Kids would love this and it’s perfect for outdoors or a sunroom. Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer says
Love this! I just did it to my dining table and it is AMAZING. One of my favorite easy changes!!
Andrea says
Did you use a sealer on the chalkboard paint or wish you did? What kind?
Lisa says
Love It! I did this to a child size table for my granddaughter for Christmas. She loves being able to draw on her table and not get into trouble!
Barbara says
Dear Erin —
Can you tell me where the rug is from in the photo? I do not fancy the typical outdoor rugs, but would like a soft cotton-esque one like you have featured in your photo… Merci!
Erin says
The rug is from Dash & Albert’s outdoor collection. It definitely has more of a cotton feel than traditional outdoor rugs. I have had it for a few years and need to give it a good cleaning but it has held up really well.
Richella at Imparting Grace says
I do love Erin–and this chalkboard coffee table is just another brick in the wall of her awesomeness! What a great idea!
Chaney says
LOVE THIS! I agree, chalkboard paint is everywhere, but there’s a reason for that – it’s awesome! Thanks for the tutorial!
Erin says
Thanks for the kind comments everyone!
Barb Lewis says
that turned out really cute and such a great idea! I have to ask what the fabric is on the settee. It is lovely. The rug too please! Really cute porch set-up. Thanks for sharing.
Georgia Milton says
Great idea! My daughter would love it. Thanks for the post.
Sande Sivani says
Great table!! You ended up with a very functional piece of furniture and it looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
toni says
I saw this awhile ago, and LOVE it! I think we have the same table, mine just has different hardware. You have motivated me again. Ive already sanded it, so I could literally drag it to the patio and paint it right now. Holy cow! I think I will repaint the body as well. Not chalkboard, but possibly white with glass knobs and a chalkboard top. I painted the inside side of our bathroom door with chalkboard paint about 20 years ago. I may do the table AND our master bathroom door. Its a fun way for my hubby and I to leave notes for each other. <3
Joi says
It looks amazing! Could you please tell me the name of the paint you used on the main part of the table. Loving that color combo!! It would match my living room perfectly. Thanks
Poonam says
Love the idea gonna do it for my almost 4 yr old he would love it! Thanks for the instructions!!!
Josie McHale says
I cannot tell you how genius this idea is! I have little ones and my coffee table is absolutely trashed, but give it a coat of paint and not only paint but chalk board paint gives my children every reason to go ahead and write on the table then easily wipe off! I cannot wait to do this to my coffee table today!