Mmm…love me some trashure time. When the second Tuesday of the month rolls around, my blood starts pumping because it’s Trash to Treasure time! {{happy dance}} My fellow rethunk junkers and I get together to share with you a makeover of some sort to get you inspired and thinking. The project I have for you today has been in my brain for over 3 years. So, I hope you enjoy how I am creating a repurposed screen door chalkboard from this…
BACKSTORY
A few years back my oldest son, Mr. I, and I were out during city clean-up doing our first jaunt together ever and we came upon a house that had a nice long dresser set out. Obviously, that caught my attention, so we stopped and began to load. While loading the man of the house brought out a few arched frames. I had no idea what they were for, but I wanted them.
I was in a stupor and I had to have looked like a linebacker ready to tackle the anyone who tried to get them before me. My son and I grabbed them as soon as he laid them down. I had no idea he had more until he asked, “Do you want the door too?” What?!! Trying not to look too obvious, I said, “Sure.” Inside my head I am screaming as if I won the lottery for a million bucks. (living inside my head is quite fun, ya know)
Not only did I get these amazing inserts, but also that gorgeous door too? I went home one happy mama.
TODAY
I have hung onto these things for over three years now as I have been patiently waiting for our home to be done and use them throughout. This is one of those rare times I am saving these for me. Much like the various things I hoarded for our bedroom and bathroom remodels.
While I am patiently waiting (not really…I’m dying!!) for our kitchen to be at the point I can jump in, I have been working on decor. The first part of this set to get its new use is the screen insert part of the door. Since I have always wanted to have a place to write a scripture or verse to encourage my family on a daily basis, I thought this repurposed screen door would make a wonderful chalkboard.
DIY TIME
I started by removing the aluminum screen that easily reminded me of redoing an upholstery project with never-ending nails and staples. Ugh.
The break in the center rail was an easy fix by using wood glue, wood filler, and a couple of nails. After that, I scraped and sanded to get a smooth surface. I would have loved to get it down to bare wood, but the 6 layers of paint stopped me. tsk.
PAINT TIME
Since this is going in my kitchen, I decided to use the same color paint as my cabinets, called Slate Green by Glidden.
And just like I did for my faux clock tutorial, I used a hardboard for the backing.
Easy to do by just tracing and then cutting with my jigsaw.
NEXT STEPS
For the chalkboard effect, I always use a simple flat black paint. It works just as well as any expensive chalkboard paint, just like I did with my chalkboard menu from a repurposed mirror backboard. It only takes a couple of coats and we’re ready.
Once dry, I simple nail it onto the back of the repurposed screen door using my brad nailer and staples.
THE REVEAL
After adding a little verse for encouragement, my new addition to the kitchen dining area (aka homeschool space) is ready for fun.
After the addition of heavy-duty mounting hardware, I added a few baskets for storage of the chalk and my handmade erasers.
Did you know felted wool sweaters make for wonderful erasers? Just pop them in the wash when dirty, and reuse. I use felted sweaters for most amazing things, including the quilts I make for my boys. TIP: Use a pencil sharpener to sharpen basic school chalk instead of buying expensive chalk pens.
HOME STORY
This serves as a daily reminder to my kids they are loved and encourages the writing of the scripture on their hearts. Each one will get a chance to pick a verse and decorate it each week or so. Fun!
I try to stage my pictures at times when my littlest naps, and when she saw me taking pictures upon waking, she had to have at mama’s newest creation. (notice the bed head with major grin)
I’m pleased as punch with not only FINALLY getting to make use of this repurposed screen door, but that it’s a functional part of our home now. We all can use a good reminder in our day, right?
I shared what I did with the main door in this post. Meanwhile, the window can be seen HERE. Sign up for my newsletter to get the details! Additionally, I would love it if you would pin and share to inspire others to give DIY a try too. ♥
Up next, I’ll be giving this empire chest of drawers a new look. Head HERE TO SEE.
MORE FUN
WAIT!! Don’t forget to see what my Trash to Treasure gals have worked on for you today!
Likewise, more of my repurposed projects for you to enjoy:
Love Love this project~ WHAT A FABULOUS FIND! Whoohoo! Can’t wait to see what you do with the door and remaining window frame! Thank you for sharing!!
I am so excited, Jamie, because just yesterday I finally found a mirror to fit the large door frame at the thrift store for $10!! I’ve been looking for years and refuse to pay for new. Cha-ching!!
U r some kind of talented, I love watching what u will do next!
I have so many projects in my head that it drives me crazy, so this one felt good to let it out. 😀 Thank you for the love, Cheryl!
oh my goodness, what a fantastic find! i would be hopping up and down too! (in my head, of course 😉
Just let it all hang out, girl! I do. tsk. 😀
Larissa it turned out beautiful. And it is a very practical and functional piece as well, especially with the baskets.. I see your little cutie is making use of it.
Oh yes, the kids love it and all are planning their own verse and art to share. What fun! Thank you, Mary.
Coolest chalkboard ever!! Love the wire baskets you added!
Woot! Thank you, Esther! Yes, I found those baskets on Etsy ages ago and finally were able to put them to use. 😀
Has a Church window look, perfect for the verses! Love it!
My thoughts exactly, Ellen. It’s fun to pass by the house we got it from all the time and know the history. Total fun!
Another winner! So “you”!!!! I love it! And I love how you keep things simple. Enjoy this day and multiplied blessings on your new school year!
Thanks so much, Sarah. We love to make our decor functional, so this definitely suits us. It’s fun to create!
This is perfect for a chalkboard! I would have totally been the same way if I saw those frames being set out ha ha!! Awesome score! XO
We would have such fun together, Christy! You can even bring your little man. 🙂
Just Gorgeous! I would have fought over those too!
The Best,
freidia
What a sweet idea Larissa! I just love it. 🙂
xo
Nancy
Love, love, love this! I wish I had a place to store fabulous finds for three years until I had just the right inspiration! Jealous!! BTW – years ago I had the exact same country “window” picture posted from Confessions of a Serial DIYer – and it would be in my storage … if I had a space! Have to check out what she did with hers!
hahahaha…I have storage? ahem. 😉 I am working to destash my stash and it never fails I get a good kind of interruption. I hope you love what Christy did…I do!
Not only do I love those AMAZING arched inserts and door you found and what you did with this, but the verse you chose is the one after MUCH contemplation and even prayer that I finally chose as the “theme” of my little business. I stamp the reference Ecc. 3:11 on the back or bottom of every piece I complete and sell. I know God wasn’t talking about furniture when He inspired it, but it says volumes to me on so many levels (including what I do in my business and booth)! You don’t see that verse displayed much so I was thrilled to see it on your new chalkboard! Blessings! 🙂
Oh, how wonderful, Tracey! It is such a short and straight to the point verse that I knew would be easily written on my children’s hearts. You picked a good one that will impact many. Bravo!!
EEk! That was a fabulous find! And what a totally amazing idea to re-use & re-love an item destined for the trash heap(= I enjoy your creative ideas immensely. But…how’s it going with the kitchen? Blessings…Jenny
You ain’t kiddin’, Jenny! I am happily working through my stash. As for the kitchen, we are plugging along and waiting an eternity for the plumber to come hook up our utility area in the laundry, dealing with a leaking roof and stopping to repair it, etc. Since we both work, I homeschool, and blog, it is a sloth’s pace, but we get it done. We seriously don’t know what it is like to rest. 🙂
You never cease to amaze me… Your creativity is boundless. And dare I say it, ..but I believe you are even more talented than Joanna ( yes, I am referring to The Joanna). Sorry Joanna…big fan.
I can sure understand why this didn’t show up in your shop?
You deserve a hug, Kathy. I am blessed to have the outlet and ability to share my passions. Thank you!
Gah, I love this so much, Larissa! It looks fabulous in your kitchen and I know your kids will love drawing on it. Great idea adding the baskets for storage too!
You know they love it when they fight over it and guess what’s been happening since it’s been up. 😉 Thanks so much, Jen!
What a wonderful job! And I so enjoyed your story behind acquiring the piece. Especially the part of looking like a linebacker ready to pounce should anyone make a move toward what you wanted! LOL! This is the first time I have written but it won’t be the last. I really like your site and am a retired homeschooler. Way to go that you are doing it. I homeschooled for eighteen years. Raised five boys and it was by far the best decision my husband and I ever made. Have a wonderful day and thanks for the post!
High five to you, Joanne, and your family! It is absolutely worth all the work and I know myself and my kids are better for it. Thank you for the love!
Love it, love it.
Thank you, Vangie!
I love the way you did that and incorporated it into your home.
Thank you, Bonnie. My kids have not left it alone since it was hung up and I love it!
I love a good DIY chalkboard but what makes yours extra special is the repurposed Arched door and the little shelf with wire baskets. You staged it beautifully for your homeschooling area too. Pinned to share 🙂 I remember your flat black paint tip and haven’t bought another can of chalkboard paint since – thanks! Will add your felted sweater chalkboard eraser tip to my memory bank too.
My kids are still playing with it all the time and creating verses for us to remember. I am so glad I finally got it done. Yes, the black paint is wonderful! Thank you so much, Marie.
As usual Larissa you have knocked this out of the park! I love the creativity behind this project!! Plus, I love creating chalkboards. 🙂 Great job!
Thanks so much, Meredith. Yes, making chalkboards is super-fun. 🙂
I really need to make one of these for my 3-year-old daughter. She loves to draw on walls, even though we bought a child’s easel for her! I’m going to try this, except instead of a chalkboard, I’ll use a holder for large pads of easel paper (like my hubby uses at work!) that she can draw on. Maybe if it stands up like a wall, she’ll draw on it instead! thank you for the inspiration!
You are an awesome mama! She will love it as my toddler is drawing on ours every day. What fun!
There you go, you have gone and made a treasure out of a terrific find. The color is so soft and you found the perfect spot. I like the idea of you kids writing their own verses on it.
Thanks, Jolinda. We use it daily and love that it’s ours to keep. yay!
I have the same door! The door has been repurposed as a pantry door in my kitchen and the one with the small glass windows is being remade with small mirrors in the panes to hang on either living room wall or dining room. They are the original doors from my 1939 Sears house. The part you use for your chalkboard is part of the pantry door and I have different curtains to match the seasons. Love your chalkboard also!
That’s awesome!I love that they find new purpose.