Wednesday, November 27, 2013

French Inspired Chalkboards & an Oak Trestle Table

Holy Cow!! Is it really the day before Thanksgiving??  Is it just me, or does anyone else out there feel like this season is just flying by as we blink our eyes?  Although I feel like its going too fast, I am SUPER excited for tomorrow!  I crave this dinner several times through out the year, and usually end up making it a few weeks before Thanksgiving, I know I'm crazy!  But that's how much I love it!  

Okay, now onto the chalkboards.. I made a few new ones a couple days ago and just took them to the shop yesterday.  Making chalkboads is actually a really easy process, especially if you make multiple at the same time.  I usually bring in a big work table, and set up my workshop.  So for my chalkboards, I pick up a 1/4" 4x8 sheet of masonite board.  You can find this at Home Depot or Lowes.  You can measure your frame openings ahead of time and have them cut to size.  They are really great about that!  Next you need to grab a quart of the roll on chalkboard paint.  You can use the spray cans as well, but I have never used them, so I stick to the roll on, plus it last me a long time.  Grab a small hand roller and some small foam rollers.  I roll on three coats, letting it dry in between each coat.  So for the frames, you can find frames just about anywhere.. home decor stores, garage sales, thrift stores.. I love to find a great deal on one that I can make my own.  After you have three coats dry, you can then pop it into your ready frame and secure it as necessary.  So pretty simple once you done one.  Here are a couple that I finished up.. I love each of these, and they are all SO different!


I painted this frame in French Gray color that I mixed up myself.  The frame already had the gold on it, so I left it showing and rubbed some paint off to show more on other areas.. I love how this one came out!


I love how different this frame is below.. It turned out to be the perfect chalkboard!  I added the writing and buck on Picmonkey ;)  Love that website!


This smaller frame turned out lovely as well.. It's painted with a pretty green and then I rubbed a homemade white glaze on it.  So pretty!  


I have had this old window sitting around for months and finally layered some French Grey and a creamy white painted finish.. added the chalkboards and here she is! 


Now, onto the table!
I picked up this solid wood oak trestle table last summer and finally got around to refinishing it a few days ago.  I had originally planned to do a white wash to the whole thing, but went in a completely different direction as you can see below!



I love the turned legs on this table.. they are pretty substantial and solid too!



I have some wintery decor throughout my shop now.. it's so fun to be able to change it up from season to season :)  We finally got the second wall built on my addition, now I need to paint it and the ceiling.  They will be painted a creamy white, and I'll leave one of the walls bare to show the beautiful barn wood.



Here is a console table I built a few weeks ago.  It's a chic French looking table with dainty fluted turned legs and a tea stained top with a white washed finish.  I'll post more on this table later and my building and finishing process.


This is the wall that will be painted white.  


Well, that sums it up for the latest around my shop!  I hope each and every one of you have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving and have time to just relax with your families!  Thanks for stopping by!
 

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