DIY Rustic Chalkboard

Happy Sunday everyone! We’ve been busy around here getting organized and finishing off last minute projects before Baby G arrives. Today I’m sharing one of those projects!

I’d been hinting (not very subtly) for a while that I really wanted a rustic-looking chalkboard for our dining room. So just before Christmas Nick built me this gorgeous chalkboard one afternoon. It’s simple and rustic, and just perfect for our dining room.

I have yet to practice my chalkboard writing skills, but once I do, I’ll be sure to post my tips and tricks that I learn along the way. I haven’t just had a blank chalkboard sitting in my dining room either, over the holidays I used it as a backdrop for our Christmas countdown.  But now that Christmas has come and gone I need to get creative and use it (because now it’s just sitting in our dining room begging for some attention!).

DIY Rustic Chalkboard

SHOPPING LIST:

• 1 – 24″ x 48″ particle board
• 2 – 1″ x 4″ x 8′ pine boards
• Rust Oleum Specialty Chalkboard Paint
• Minwax Classic Gray 271 (or any colour)

STEPS:

1. Cut each of the 1″ x 4″ x 8′ boards into the following lengths with 45°angles on each end using a miter saw.  Keep in mind the outside corners of the boards are the measurements, not the inside corners (see diagram above) – Board 1 – 50″ & 25, Board 2 – 50″ & 25″
2. Stain these pieces with a stain of your choosing using a foam brush or paper towels.  Wipe off the excess stain and let it fully dry.  You can apply a coat of polyurethane, but it is not necessary since the frame will not be coming into contact with any water.
3. Using a small foam roller, coat the 24″ x 48″ particle board.  You will require 2 or 3 coats to ensure good coverage.  Allow it to dry completely between each coat.
4. Lay the 4 pieces of the frame out on the floor with the stained side facing down, making sure that each corner is square.
5. Place the 24″ x 48″ board on top with the chalk side facing down, keeping it centered on all sides.
6. Using a nail gun and compressor, attach the board to the frame pieces using 3/4″ finishing nails.
7. Sand down all edges using a 120 grit sandpaper.  Feel free to distress the piece using a hammer and any other objects that will create some rustic looking marks.
8. Condition the chalkboard by placing a piece of white chalk on its side and coat the entire board.  Wipe off with a chalkboard brush.