Tuesday, February 8, 2011

A Chalkboard for the Nursery Fireplace

Fireplaces are charming. But when you have six of them, they become a challenge. They take up a lot of space and you can't do too much with them. I wanted to make the large fireplace in the nursery "use-able" (but not in the fire sense..). Now, the fireplace is a fun, creative place for Dmitri to draw with chalk!


 The Chalkboard

 In the fireplace

The full view

Did I mention what an easy and in-expensive project this was? We had everything on hand, except for an extra piece of trim. With the purchase of the trim, the total cost ended up being about $5.

Materials:
 -Chalkboard paint
-A piece of plywood cut to the size of opening
-Trim for the edges of the plywood
-Black paint
-Sander/sand paper
-Hammer/finishing nails
-Saw

How we did it:
1. Cut a piece of  plywood to the size of the opening (the nice people at Lowe's did this for us)
2. Cut the trim to fit the edges using a miter saw (or box)
3. Sand the plywood
4. Paint the plywood with chalkboard paint
5. Nail the trim into the plywood with finishing nails
5. Paint the trim (I used some black paint that I had leftover from another project. You could use chalkboard paint if you wanted).
6.Sit in fireplace. Our fireplace was already sealed up, and we secured the chalkboard using the nail-less picture hangers.
7.: HAVE FUN WITH CHALK! = )

The mantle still needs some love...but it's wonderful to be making progress on the "Nursery-Playroom."

I linked up at A Chalkboard Party @ Sixty-Fifth Ave!

21 comments:

Jen @ RamblingRenovators said...

Six fireplaces - lucky you! What a great idea to turn it into a chalkboard. That turned out so well!

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

So cool! How perfect for little ones to draw on.

I'm having a chalkboard link party, you should stop by!

Cassie Bustamante said...

what a great way to make safe use of the fireplace in there! love it!

Curly-T said...

Absolutely love this! I'm now making a fake fireplace just to be able to use it this way. :)

the gardener's cottage said...

omg you are so lucky!!!!!!!
i don't have a single fireplace.
i love your blog and now i'm following YOU too. and i just found out you are turning 21? may i send one of my sons over for you to give lessons on how to grow up? love your bedroom, i mean LOVE it. wowsa.

xo
janet

Anonymous said...

That's pretty fun. I would like to make one myself but where to put it! Hmm. I'll have to think about that one. Thanks :o)

Abby said...

Six fireplaces?! That's so crazy. What a creative idea, though!

Amanda @ Little House on the Corner said...

So cute!!

BTW, I love that zebra painting (photo?) above your fireplace! It seems abstract at first until you look closer. Where did you get that?

michelle said...

That is so cute and what a great idea!! 6 fireplaces!? Oh my! I am making a faux mantel/firplace in my bedroom right now, love your idea!

Unknown said...

What a great idea!

I wish I had a fireplace. We're thinking about putting in a wood burning stove of some sort.

Ab said...

Great use of the fireplace! I'm on a chalkboard paint kick, too. We only have one fireplace that we use a LOT, though...so I did my kids' doors with flags for their names/nicknames.

I also LOVE that you're young...as another young mom it's refreshing to remember that there are others like us. And happy (almost) birthday! I'm due with my son on my 25th birthday (March 7).

Tanya from Dans le Lakehouse said...

That is so cute! (I'm totally jealous of all the fireplaces, by the way). I love that idea.

Amy Lukavics said...

THAT IS AMAZING. My friend always uses chalkboard paint (on doors mostly) but this is really creative. Thanks for sharing!

Katie Olthoff said...

6 fireplaces = jealous me. We don't have a single one!

Adriana said...

So cute and creative!

the cape on the corner said...

LOVE that, how fun for dmitri!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

This is such an awesome idea! Really how cute is this? Just the right height for a little one to use.I always love reading your posts!

Anonymous said...

Caroline,
My friend, Janet from the Gardener's Cottage, told me this morning that I should take a look at your blog...I have read it from the beginning and I can see why she likes you so much!
I am blown away with your ideas and thoughts, your creativity and your approach to things. You seem like an amazing gal...I'm so glad she sent me in your direction!
And I love what you did with this fireplace...your son will love it!

Have a wonderful day ~
Sarah

btw - I adore your son's name. :)

Sarah said...

That's a great idea! I'm curious- I know you live in an old, old house. Are any of the fireplaces working ones?

Roeshel said...

What a great idea! So fun and looks gorgeous too! :)

Roeshel

Joy said...

I love this!! What a fab idea!!