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mother knows best

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After reading my blog entry about Message Central, my mother commented, “The cabinets look really cute, but you know me, I couldn’t handle the chalkdust.”

As they say, Mother knows best!

After only one day of 2 kids drawing all day on the new chalkboards, I couldn’t handle the chalkdust either. Fortunately, my sister, who is an elementary school teacher, informed me that I could purchase dustless chalk. Hallelujah!

You can order dustless chalk online at Discount School Supply for mere pennies. It comes in white & vivid colors. A worthwhile investment to accompany any chalkboard!


Proper accessories are always important, even for a chalkboard!

message central mission accomplished

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I finally gave up on trying to find the perfect blackboard tiles & decided to paint our pantry cabinets with magnetic paint, followed by chalkboard paint, hoping with each stroke of the roller that we don’t sell the house before I do an extreme kitchen makeover (i.e., a major kitchen remodel to make the kitchen actually work sensibly!)

Let me walk you through the process of creating Message Central on our pantry doors.

First, I taped off the area around the inset…


Then I wisely laid down a drop cloth. Since it was such a small job, I actually considered not using a drop cloth, but fortunately I didn’t go with that line of thought, because here’s how the drop cloth looked after some painting…


Yikes! That would not have been good for the hardwood floor!

Finally the prep work was complete and I broke open the magnetic paint. Actually, it was a magnetic primer, black & very thick, since it actually has iron filings in the paint.

Perhaps I have pica, but when I stirred the magnetic primer, I wanted to taste it so badly! It looked so thick & delicious, like brownie mix!

I resisted the temptation to taste the paint, and proceeded to use it as intended.

The magnetic primer was not the easiest paint to work with. The directions indicated that it is normal for the paint to have a watery layer at the surface, which it did, and that didn’t make life easy.

Magnetic primer has a texture, because of the iron filings, so it’s essential to roller it on very evenly.

I used three coats of magnetic paint, as indicated by the manufacturer. Each “coat” actually consisted of going over the area twice, then letting that layer dry for 30 minutes. It took about 30 minutes to complete one coat on all of the doors, so the project moved along rather quickly, taking only about two hours from prep to completion of the magnetic primer layer.

Here’s how the doors looked after the magnetic primer was completed…


As you can see even in the photo, the magnetic primer has lots of texture.

The primer needs to dry for 4 hours prior to painting, but because I got a late start, I waited overnight.

The next morning, I started with the chalkboard paint. This paint was easier to use than the magnetic, but still not a walk in the park, since the roller marks were very obvious.

The chalkboard paint took 4 carefully applied coats, again with each coat consisting of two thin applications, being very mindful of the roller marks.

Because of the small area being covered, this part of the project was also very quick, about 3 hours, including a leisurely coffee break and clean-up time.

Here’s the final product, looking terrific!


I really love how it turned out – it gives our brand new kitchen a vintage schoolhouse charm! And the kids can hardly wait to start using chalk on it, but it should “cure” for 24 hours, and then be “conditioned” by rubbing the side of a piece of chalk over the entire surface, then wiping with a barely damp sponge. Make it easy on yourself & use a chunky piece of sidewalk chalk to make the conditioning move along faster.

Because of the magnetic primer, the chalkboard has more texture than I would have preferred – it has almost a vinyl appeal. But, I really need the magnetic aspect, allowing me to post this & that paper on Message Central, so I’ll make do with the texture.

I’m not much of a long project type, and this one was quick, easy, and rewarding! I’m ready to start magnetizing & chalkboarding more surfaces throughout the house!

How about you? How did you use magnetic & chalkboard paint? Send your project photos & story to me at andrea@homagestyle.com. Maybe we’ll post your project here!

Showing off at the Whisperwood Cottage Chalk Talk Link Party…

desperately seeking message central

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As you may know, I’m desperately seeking chalkboard materials to create Message Central in my kitchen.

The reason that I am desperately seeking a chalkboard product, is that I am trying not to end up painting my cabinets with chalkboard paint. Even though I’m more adventuresome than most with decor, I’m still a little skittish about a permanent change to the kitchen cabinetry.

It just so happens that the kitchen cabinets are the perfect location to create Message Central in our home.

So imagine my joy when I saw these new Modular Chalkboard Tiles from Pottery Barn.



They really are terrific, although they didn’t work for my purposes. The very thing that makes them great – that they’re very sturdy & heavy – is why they didn’t work for me. I need something lightweight to attach to my cabinet doors. But they would work well in a kid’s playroom, or if you were creating your Message Central on a blank wall, rather than on cabinets.

Ultimately, I may end up keeping them for another room, but as for Message Central, I may need to accept that to create message central, I need to paint the cabinets!

let’s hear it for white walls

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After several posts about the virtue of diving into a house full of colors, I must confess that I live in a world of white!

Our home is a new build, and we’ve only been here for about 9 months, so the walls are still builder white.

And I hate it.

But…

Even though having white walls is the equivalent of store brand coffee when I can have a Starbuck’s Iced Mocha, in my opinion, it’s important to live with the house for a while before jumping into paint colors.

Often, in my experience, the house will speak to you & tell you which colors will work.

Plus, many times you may consider several different versions of a room. Waiting it out a bit gives you time to ponder & think about what will make you happiest.

For example, one of the possibilities that I’ve considered for my kitchen is to paint one full wall with black chalkboard paint. When I came up with the idea, I was thrilled, and almost ran out to Lowe’s that minute.

Good thing I waited…

Upon reflection, I realized that painting an entire wall would mean lots of chalk graffiti by the kids, which, in turn, would mean lots of chalk dust, and I’m not the world’s most stellar housekeeper. I’d have to stay after school every day to wash the board!

Then I also realized that the real reason for painting the wall as a chalkboard – to create “message central” wouldn’t work either, because the wall is primarily in the dining area, not the cooking area, which is where I need my “message central.”

Waiting also helps to reinforce that your original plan is the one you want.

For example, I plan to paint my guest bathroom a deep brown, with a hint of blue & maroon. I’ve had several paint chips taped to the wall for months now, and even though it’s a very dark color for a small room, it’s the color I love & keep coming back to.

So, take your time & let the walls and rooms speak to you.

how color affects your world

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Color has a powerful effect on human beings. Science has even proved this to be true. Here is how color affects your world.

Black

Black is a powerful, classic color. When used with another color, such as white, salmon, or teal green, black creates a sense of heightened drama and contrast.

Blue

Blue, the color of the sky and the sea, is a cool, serene color, known to lower blood pressure and pulse rates. Blue is a traditional, conservative color that emanates dignity and harmony.

Brown

Brown, a comfortable, earthly color, is solid and warm, inviting thoughts of things from natural, such as clay, wood, or leather.

Gray

Gray is a soothing, dignified color that can establish a calm feeling in a room.

Green

A restful, soothing color, green is refreshing, as well as tranquil. Green, a familiar color that surrounds us in nature, can bring a freshness to an otherwise plain room.

Orange

Orange is a warm, yet intense hue that is known to stimulate the appetite. Although orange is an energetic color, it is usually too aggressive for an entire room and should be used as an accent color or in a toned down form, such as peach.

Pink

A youthful and romantic color, pink conveys happiness and is know for its calming qualities.

Purple

Purple, a luxurious, sensual color, has been associated with royalty and dignity throughout the ages. Purple is a great backdrop for family areas of a home.

Red

Red is an energetic color associated with passion and excitement. This warm, strong color can raise your blood pressure, pulse rate, and your body temperature! Red is even said to stimulate conversation and the appetite, which makes it an ideal color for your dining room.

White

White is a classic color that lends a bright, open, and airy look to any room.

Yellow

An upbeat, happy color, yellow radiates warmth and optimism. Yellow is known to speed your metabolism and is thought to enhance memory and concentration. This strong, bright color is best used sparingly or as an accent color.

taking a risk with color

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Be brave with color!

Dare to choose a shade other than white or off-white. After all, if you don’t like it, you can easily and inexpensively change the color, simply by repainting!

If you can’t bear to paint an entire room, add color to at least one wall. You may find that you enjoy the effect and may soon paint the rest of the room, and after that, you may go on a painting spree throughout your entire home!

If you’re still unsure about painting a room, try adding accessories to the room that are in the same color family as the paint color you’re considering. That will help you to discover if the effect of that color is appealing to you.

choosing a color scheme for your home

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When selecting a color to paint a room, think about the colors you like and the mood that you associate with those colors.

Whether it’s the shade of your favorite article of clothing, the tint of a page from your favorite childhood picture book, or the color of your café au lait, if it’s a hue that makes you feel happy, comfortable, or cozy, it may be suitable for room in your home.

There are a few basics to remember when choosing a paint color.

Bold colors catch your eye and jump out at you, and may make a room seem smaller. Warm colors, those in the red, yellow, and orange families, also create the illusion of moving toward you, and may also make a room seem smaller. On the other hand, these colors may make your room seem warmer, cozier, and more intimate.

Quiet, softer colors are more subtle and can make an area appear larger. The cool colors in the blue and green families have the effect of making an area more open and airy. These colors are ideal to create the illusion of space, especially if you don’t have that much of it!

brighten your world with color

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Brighten your world, or at least your home, with color!

Painting with color is a fun and inexpensive way to update the look of your home. It’s also a great way to put the finishing touches on a remodeling job. Where else could you get a brand new look for the cost of a gallon of paint!

Scientists have proven that color can affect your metabolism, and psychologists understand that color influences your emotions and behavior. All the more reason to choose colors that reflect your personality and define the mood you’d like to set in your home. The colors in your home should make you feel comfortable and at ease. Colors give you the opportunity to express your individuality!

first impressions

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People get a first impression of your home before they ever step inside. The outdoor decor of your home says as much as the indoor style.

After eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring, it’s finally time to add some flowers to our front porch!

Once I found the right planters which I picked up on sale at Joann, Etc., it was really a simple affair, even for someone with a brown thumb! As simple as picking up plants from the local nursery. Here’s the end result:

It’s a simple recipe. I picked out some plants that I thought would look nice, a combination of taller & shorter plants, as well as some vines that will eventually trail over the side of the planter. Also a combination of flower colors.

I chose more than one of each plant – two or three of each – so there would be symmetry around the planter. Honestly, I don’t even know the name of all of the plants I chose – I know a couple, like the Wave petunia and geranium. More important was that all of the plants were full sun, so they could live happily together!

Then I filled the planter about 2/3 full with potting soil. Then came the simple part. I started placing the plants in the planter, starting with the spikes in the center – yes, they’re actually called spikes – followed by a geranium plant on two sides of the spikes.

Next I placed a Wave petunia next to each of the geraniums. After that I filled in the areas that still had holes in the dirt with the daisy-like plants. Finally, I placed the trailing vines & tiny trailing petunias around the edges of the planter, so they could do their thing & trail! A couple handfuls of potting soil to fill in any remaining blank spots & voila!

A view from above…

It took a grand total of maybe 20 minutes to complete both planters, and they look fabulous & add interest to the front porch.


It’s the simple stuff that makes a difference!

trying it on for size

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Since spring has indeed sprung here in central Ohio, I decided it was time to spruce up our front porch with flowers.

Ever since we moved to our new home, I had a picture in my mind of the type of planters I wanted for the front porch.

Imagine my delight when I saw my dream planter in the Target Sunday newspaper flyer. And it was on sale! Here it is…

Well, imagine my surprise when I placed the planter on the porch & thought, oh no, it doesn’t work!

My dream planter was way too fussy for the style of our front porch! I couldn’t believe it! Slouching, I dragged it to the garage, where it awaits my next trip to Target to return it.

Eventually, I found a different set of planters that weren’t my dream planters, but they worked much better ~ not fussy at all!

The moral of the story is that even a pro sometimes needs to try it on for size. Occasionally, our mental picture works just right, but reality hits when you see it in real life!