Reader Space: A Framed Magnetic Chalkboard Tutorial

A little DIY is always fun, but I say you get extra credit when it is organizing related!  Kelly did as many of us do, and fell in love with a high end piece.  But no tears for this girl when she saw the price tag.  Instead, she was motivated.  Motivated to get something similar, and to do it herself!

Kelly wrote:

Hi Jen,
I just finished a little project that might or might not be what you're looking for in a "reader space" post, but here goes....Its a framed magnetic chalkboard in my kitchen for our weekly menu {so no more "what's for dinner" questions" and to put up the kiddos ongoing homework and bible verse memorization.
Here's a link to my blog post.
Thanks,
Kelly

Here is Kelly to share how it all went down:

"It started one day drooling over the looking through the pottery barn magazine when I found something similar to this.... 

...and being the DIYer that I am I thought....I can make that!  So I did.  And I love it!

Here is a supply list:

• Backer board {MDF, plywood, whatever} cut to size
• Sheet metal, cut to size
• Metal primer
• Chalkboard paint
• Baseboard or trim molding
• Paint
• Finishing nails and glue

Here is what I did:

It would probably just be easier for the store to cut it for you then you can skip to the next step.  We decided to cut ours at 4' x 5'!  Yes, it is big!

I called a sheet metal place and had them cut me a piece of sheet metal slightly smaller than my board.  I ordered mine to be 45" x 57" to give me an extra 1 1/2" border all around {you'll see why later}.  

Next, I used a heavy duty construction adhesive to adhere the sheet metal to the backer board.

Using an automotive primer, I primed the sheet metal in a well ventilated area.  Its kinda stinky.  I did two coats.

The next step was coating it with chalkboard paint.  If two coats are good, three are even better.  I knew this was going to be a permanent fixture in our kitchen and with four small kiddos in the house I thought it safe to ensure its longevity with more coats of paint.

I measured and cut the baseboard trim to size.  I mitered my corners and dry fit it first with clamps, to make sure it fit.  Measure twice, cut once, right?  Then I painted them before I attached them.  I was not about to create an extra step of having to tape off the chalkboard and risk the paint pulling up with the tape.

Using the same construction adhesive that I used to attach the sheet metal, I drew a line of glue on the wood border, placed down the trim and then clamped.  I used a finish nailer to nail in place.  I made sure I put my nails towards the outer edge {where you can see the wood in the above picture}.  This is why you want your sheet metal cut smaller than your backer board.

Then fill and paint any holes and the mitered corners.  Here's a shot before I filled the corners:

I decided that I didn't want to wait for the hubs to return from his business trip so carried it into the house myself.  Wow is this sucker heavy!  

I found the right hardware for the weight and then hung it....

I wish I had a nice pretty before picture with the chalkboard surface all crisp and black, but this is what happens when said children are in the house....

And here is the fantastic after picture of my completed project:

Our weekly menu gets put up so there are no questions about what is for dinner....

The kids weekly bible versus and "book-it" pages are on the other side...

...put up with these cute fabric button magnets:

And its all tucked nicely in the alcove of our breakfast nook:

Here's the cost breakdown:

• Plywood $15 {and I have some leftover for another upcoming project}
• Sheet metal $29
• Chalkboard paint {already on hand from a past project}
• Baseboard $20
• White paint {already on hand}
• Nail and glue {already on hand}

Total cost: $64

Not a super cheap project, but it sure beats the $150+shipping for the PB one, plus mine is much bigger and the exact size I wanted!"

Super sweet project Kelly!  I am totally smitten!

• Anytime you do something yourself, you get exactly what you want and can customize it for you and your family.  Not to mention, it will be cherished more since it is YOUR piece of work. 
• The DIY skill level is simple enough that most anyone could do this.
• It ended up costing less than half of the inspiration piece!  Such a great savings, and for a bigger piece no less!
• It's heavy duty, it will last for the long haul!  Such a great long term investment!
• Family life is busy.   They now have a central place to communicate.  They use it now for sharing their dinner plans {YAY for meal planning!}, but it can also be a place to share schedules and notes or to use however they wish!
• The fact that it is magnetic takes it to a whole other level for me.  I adore that the kids have a place to quickly find their papers so nothing goes missing!  
• Those little magnetic buttons are sweet as pie.  I just love the fabric and that they are more decorative than your standard magnet. 

A special thanks to Kelly for sharing her inspiring DIY project.  Anyone else been DIYing their own organizing supplies?

ATTENTION!!  Want to be featured in a Reader Space edition?  Have an awesome organizing story to share?  I am looking for projects that have made a positive impact to your life.  Please send your story and photos to iheartorganizing@gmail.com and I would heart to feature them right here, on the blog!!  Photos should be high resolution and unedited.  Please include a description of the project, including any costs, inspiration, and how it has changed your life and routine for the better!  Oh, and no worries my friends, we will NEVER judge "before" pictures because that just wouldn't be nice!  Only love goes on at this blog!  More info HERE.