Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/85232
It turns out blackboards aren't just for the schoolroom, they can also be a fantastic feature for your home. The ease of purchasing blackboard paint enables you to add a board of any size and colour to your home, creating a handy asset or unique design feature. Children can doodle and you can plan your month with the brilliance of chalk. Here are some unique ideas of how to incorporate these clever boards into your home: Wall Planner A clever trick to make your planner is through the use of mixing white and black chalkboard paint. Start with a base wall of black chalk paint. Then make different shades of grey by mixing the black and white paint. Use a stencil to paint even squares on the wall in the varying shades. Voila a cleaver calendar that can be started over each month! Doodling Board Satisfy little artists who love to draw on the wall by choosing a room where the children like to play. Paint the bottom panels of a section of the walls in store black, classic green or in a shade that matches your room. Those little artists can then chalk to their hearts content and you can wipe down all evidence at the end of the day. Control Centre It always seems that when you discover you need to add something to the shopping list you have misplaced it. Solve this problem by turning your pantry door into that list. Simply mix a colour of paint that suits your kitchen and coat the inside of your pantry door. Always be sure to tape off the door handle and knobs before you paint. How to customize in your chosen colour. 2. Pour one cup of paint into a container with 2tbs of unsanded tile grout. Mix through carefully breaking up clumps. 3. Apply the mixed paint to a sanded or painted surface with a roller or sponge paintbrush. Go slowly; work in small sections. To ensure you have full and even coverage go over the same spot several times. Leave the surface to dry. 4. Smooth the area over with 150- grit sandpaper. Wipe off any dust. 5. Before first use, use the side of a piece of chalk to coat the whole surface and then wipe it off with a barely damp sponge. Above: Ferm LIVING wall stickers from Denmark: "This Month" $215, "To Do" $125 all from The Paper Room your paint 1. Begin with a flat-finish latex paint DIY Chalkboard