Day 10: Chalk it up!

I couldn't wait to try out the chalkboard paint to see how it comes out. I've read and seen on TV that the secret to transforming any regular latex paint into chalkboard paint is by adding tile grout. That means you can have it in any color you want, not necessarily just black or green. (Check out the Martha Stewart link b/c I know she had it on her site). Regardless, I went with a ready-made black chalkboard paint for the door. You're supposed to apply it with a foam brush or roller, and one very important tip is to apply generous coats. That's what I kept repeating to myself over and over, apply generous coats, apply generous coats! Because it's true, the first coat is so streaky, it's scary. We were concerned that a black door in an already poorly lit corridor would make it feel like a black hole, but contrarily, I think it's going to add to it. Once we get colored chalk and make it fun and useful, won't be a problem at all! So this really is a GREAT way to make an otherwise useless space, usefull. Now he can write To Do lists and checklists on the door, and skim through them on the way out. Perfect.

While I was in between coats, waiting for them to dry, I came up with the idea of creating a key rack. He had this really interesting postcard that I framed, and underneath, screwed hooks into the wall. It came out nicely, and it's a much better alternative to your traditional wood-carved key rack that you would normally find in the shape of, you guessed it, a key!