For my last Ace Hardware blog post of the year, they challenged me to break the “paint rules” …
hmmm.
That presented quite the challenge for me. You see, I tend to think of myself as a rule-breaker. Remember the orange walls in my teen son’s room? Or the navy walls in my space-challenged living and dining room spaces? Or the rug I painted directly onto my porch landing?
I’ve never been one to shy away from going bold …
well, with one exception. Finally pulling the plug and creating that much-desired chalkboard wall.
I’m not talking about a square of chalkboard paint painted on a wall. I’m talking about an entire wall painted in black chalkboard paint. I’ve been pinning chalkboard walls for years. Drooling over them. Plotting and planning and scheming to include one in my house someday. And that’s as far as I’ve gone …
until this weekend …
and this Ace Hardware challenge …
when I finally purchased this. At Ace Hardware.
Two quarts of Valspar Chalkboard.
Which I used to do this …
painting a small nook area in our small finished basement black.
Oh yeah. I’m breaking the rules now.
I must admit I was a bit worried as I applied that first coat …
and questioning my sanity.
But after a second coat of paint and a few hours of drying time, I was quite pleased …
Okay, not just pleased.
Pleased as punch!
I realize it’s not a huge space, just a 6’ x 4’ nook …
but it’s the first giant step in realizing my dream for carving out a dedicated, industrial-inspired work space for my Etsy shop and blog crafts.
It’s overdue time to move my business — and my blog — out of my dining room!
After the paint cures for three days, I can turn my black painted wall into a true chalkboard by rubbing a piece of chalk on its side all along the wall. Followed by erasing it with a chalkboard eraser. Then it will be ready to use.
A place for to-do lists. And reminders.
And maybe some words of inspiration.
Oh, and speaking of inspiration, I have some for you. In the form of a $100 Ace Hardware Gift Card Giveaway …
Good Luck!
Linda
This post was written as part of my partnership with Ace Hardware as a member of the Ace Blogger Panel. However, any and all opinions are my own.
I would purchase spring plants for my yard. I am already ready for Spring!
Boy, I could use some paint before long, as I have some odds and ends pieces of furniture, also need paint for my Christmas Storage workshop/ craft area shed; other words Mrs. Claus’s work space.
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway opportunity
Thank you for the giveaway, I would like to try the chalkboard paint in a small area for my grandchildren to write on. They would love it!
Paint, I would purchase paint and supplies. Lots of mini touch up and wakeup projects here at the house.
My laundry room is in dire need of a little help.
I would ask my local “Ace is the place with the helpful, hardware man”, or woman, and FINALLY get the help I need choosing a paint color for a much needed make-over in my laundry room!
,,,,to buy black chalkboard paint of course!
I too am NOT afraid of color! My downstairs office is Bright Orange w/ an Orange Sherbet ceiling, my MBdrm is 3 colors! A lovely purple, green & gold. We are in the process of remodeling our 2 upstairs bathrooms & will need paint for them as well as I would SO paint the entrance wall of my sewing/craft room in chalkboard paint!! This wall will soon house my 4′ tall DIY, Martha Stewart like calendar!! I can hardly wait & THANX for the inspiration!!!
I would use it to buy tools for my husband for the holidays
I’ve been afraid to do the chalkboard paint thing but now I might dare to paint a wall.
We are doing it ourselves, a complete gut renovation of a hall bath and bedroom to make a master suite…a hardware store gift card would b fabulous!
I’d buy paint or some trim pieces so I can finish up my entry way!
can’t wait to see the reveal!
I could sure use some paint in my newly renovated kitchen! Thanks!
We’re buying our first house and have a lot of stuff we need for it! I can find plenty of uses for this gift card 🙂
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
I would use it to redo my bathroom. It needs a make over.
We need some lighting for outside.
Oh my – I LOVE IT!!!!!!! Since our house is only 6 months old – it’s still screaming for some personalization. So paint would definitely be on my list.
Paint so I can get my living room done!!
I love your chalkboard nook and would choose to do a similar look in my sewing studio 🙂
I love to just browse at Ace….so I would take my time in making my purchase. Thanks for the chance to enhance!!
Paint paint and more paint. I really need some paint.
I love your lilttle nook (office) I need a space for myself and you have given me a great idea. I’m visiting ACE soon!!!!!
I am currently searching for ideas to make over my almost 11-year old boy’s bedroom. Right now, it’s depressing and chaotic. I want to make it a happy place with a cohesive look. $100 would certainly come in handy to help in the transformation — especially as an Ace just opened in my small town.
I would buy shelving for our garage.
Ace is a dangerous place for me: I walk in with the intent to purchase one thing and danged if I don’t walk out with five or six (same problem at Target, just in case you were wondering!). Sooo, while my intent would be to use the g.c. on a Kreg Jig, there’s probably a good chance I’ll change my mind!
Thanks for the opportunity!
I would buy paint to get our house ready for sale.
I would use it to purchase paint.
I would use it to re paint my bathroom.
I would love to try the chalkboard paint, such a cool idea!
I am not afraid of color either!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would look around the store to find craft-y supplies … I’m sure there are plenty there to sp3end my $$$.
Thanks a bunch and Merry Christmas.
Ace gift card? There’s so much to be done around here that I’m not even sure where I’d start…maybe the remaining outlets and switch covers for the dining room? I love your inspiration board and your HUGE chalkboard wall! Can’t wait to see your new office! xo
I would use it to buy paint of course! I need to repaint my bathroom and I would like to paint the floor in the little enclosed porch that is off of that bathroom. ( I had to remove the carpet due to the cats missing their litter box too many times.)
I love what you did! I have long wanted to do one, too. My grandmother had a chalkboard wall in her kitchen, although it was green, and it was a thing of beauty. I was always allowed to use it to my hearts’ content.
I love what you did! I have long wanted to do one, too. My grandmother had a chalkboard wall in her kitchen, although it was green, and it was a thing of beauty. I was always allowed to use it to my hearts’ content.
I love what you did! I have long wanted to do one, too. My grandmother had a chalkboard wall in her kitchen, although it was green, and it was a thing of beauty. I was always allowed to use it to my hearts’ content.
I think I would take my cue from you and decide where to put the chalkboard wall and just do it!
I’m not sure yet, but i’ll probably use it on chalkboard paint too! got lots of ideas right now i cant seem to sift through them haha! 🙂 love your wall. love your blog!! <3
I love my neighborhood Ace. I would buy paint for my bedroom
Paint, paint, paint! I think every room in my house needs a fresh coat of paint! Thanks for the giveaway!!!
I would let my son choose tools for his begining tool collection. He loves shopping at Ace.
If I won this one I would buy a new heater and a new fan.
I love the chalkboard and the industrial inspiration board. I think it is going to look beautiful I sure could use the gift card to get a new sander mine is worn and old .
I would use the money for Paint, hardware and a gift for my hubby.
Paint lots & lots of paint!!!
Wow! An entire room – all four walls – with all the list making, note taking, future planning space to write on? I’m kinda wicked jealous right now! I live in an apartment and not allowed to paint the walls, but I recently found this little site called Pinterest and could do all sorts of fun crafty stuff (i.e. make Christmas presents & decorate) that I won’t be able to do otherwise! Thanks for the chance to win!!
I’d use it to buy some shelving to help organize our garage.
I would put it towards paint for our new house. I want to paint every single room!
i like the idea of chalk board paint. I have been wanting to paint the doors to my daughters closet (they are old woodish material and ugly).
I’d probably use it for paint…I’ve got three bedrooms that sure could use some new color! Thanks for the opportunity! 😉
I would like to use the gift card to buy some paint to repaint the dining room walls.
I would gift this to my sweet husband!
Paint & hardware!
I would buy paint for our livingroom!
I would actually get some paint for the bedroom that needs to be painted.
I would get new lights for my bathroom.
I would use it towards our bathroom remodel.
I WOULD BUY PAINT FOR MY BEDROOM
I would buy paint for making a cute baby nursery!
I would wait and spend it in the Spring….
Our house is in dire need a paint refresh!
I would use it to buy a new drill.
I would stock up on paint brushes and paint!
I love the chalkboard wall, I painted a dining room dark gey once and everyone thought I was crazy but I got a lot of compliments on it and a few copycats.
We trailblazers are often misunderstood … 😉