Being a junker can have so many perks, but certainly one of the downfalls is having enough room for all that you find. I make a rule that if I bring it home it has to find new purpose within six months, or it doesn’t come home with me. Well, rules are made for breaking, right? That’s because I’ve had this mirror backboard for a few years (before I made my rule) with good intentions of turning it into a chalkboard menu.
Here’s the story: a couple of years ago, I’m junking during our city-wide spring cleanup and find a broken-to-pieces vanity. Mirrors are all shattered and only one part of the side mirrors are left. This had to have been glorious in its prime.
I originally intended to give the vanity new life but decided to let the base go. (full story HERE)
The main mirror backboard became a new vanity mirror for my Rustic Chic bedroom set.
Now, all I had left was the side mirror backboard. While I kept thinking it would make a great chalkboard menu, I also had always envisioned of turning it into a church attendance record board. You know, where they would show the offerings, and such with those fun numbered cards?
DIY TIME
Well, since I decided that I wasn’t going to keep it, that a chalkboard menu was the better option. It needs a bit of trimming since it is broke on one side and on the bottom. That’s an easy fix with my table saw.
Because the finish is cracking and there are holes from the mirror mounts, I use wood filler to cover up any blemishes.
After letting the filler cure, I used my orbital sander to not only sand down the filler but give the wood surface teeth so that paint would have something to adhere to.
I wanted a rustic, yet chic look, so I used the same gray from our bathroom and boys’ bedroom as a base coat. After that, I decided to whitewash the board just like my dining room table, to draw out those hand-carved accents. While creating the wash I applied a bit more pressure to wet distress. Wet distressing is the alternative to using sandpaper. It works just as well but can be a little unpredictable.
GET CHALKY
To make the chalkboard, I have always used a couple of coats of basic flat black paint. It works just as well as chalkboard paint and is a fraction of the cost, like on my cabinet door turned message center.
I wanted the “Menu” text to be permanent, so I hand-painted the words on with a white and gray acrylic craft paint after using my transfer method. I then lettered my chalkboard menu with regular chalk.
TIP: Did you know you can skip the cost of those expensive chalkboard markers and just use a regular pencil sharpener to make a pointed tip on classroom chalk?
THE REVEAL
How’s that for a junker repurposed makeover?
The chalkboard menus are fun and functional, perfect for home and special events like weddings, dinner parties, birthdays, etc. If you’re not into DIY or simply love my creation, you can find it in my online shop.
Although I sorta, kinda stretched my self-made rule, I thought I was keeping it for me. I at least made use of it, right?
Do pin and share to inspire others to get funky with their junk too! ♥
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More projects for you like my chalkboard menu:
I love it! The carving really makes the piece..I think it’s perfect as a chalkboard.
I just couldn’t let it go to the trash. It’s too pretty! Thank you.
Your chalkboard project is giving me incentive to work on one that I purchased at Goodwill about 6 months ago. Yikes!
Mine has layers of paint to be removed so it may take awhile 🙂 I really love your finished board !!
I totally get it, Karen! Thank so much for the love. 🙂
Hi, Larissa…Just checking with you…I’m a Karen B but do not have an email about winning. Just wanted to make sure that there wasn’t a mix-up…thanks. Congrats to the other Karen B if she won and not me lol.
Sorry, it was the other one. Bummer! Hard not to give away the full name…should had the next letter. 🙂
Nice! And, thanks for the chalk tip. I just ordered and received a pack of the paint sticks. And now I know…lol
hahahaha…that’s always how it goes. 🙂
This is so pretty Larissa. And I love all of your thrifty tips on how to get the look while spending less. It reminds me of the joke where we crafters spend $97 on supplies to make a $5 project. The whole purpose it to do it economically.
Thank you, Mary. Yes, that’s so funny! I would not know how to do it any other way.
Hi Larissa 🙂 this is so pretty! Tell me, is the white edge painted on or did you add trimm to the side?
Love it, Larissa! Great tip for using less expensive flat black latex paint for chalkboards.
Thank you, Marie. You know me…if I can save, I will find a way!
Just LOVE that you saved and transformed this into such a beautiful piece and for sharing great tips along the way!Thank you 🙂
I am blessed to get to have fun and share. Thank you, Sam!
Can’t wait to hear your exciting annoncement! Gid bless you!
I’m excited to share. Thank you, Debbie!
As always….you never cease to amaze me ??
You are so sweet to say that, Kathy. Thank you!
Thank you everyday for your posts.It inspires me to be more creative with what I have.
You just made my day, Cheryl. Thank you! 😀
Looks GREAT! What a great way to repurpose something that would otherwise be thrown away – so charming!
Thanks so much, Jenny!