Chalkboard wall + busy toddler = a (fun) mess
Its been a while since I have done any updates on the current status of our various house projects, so this is the post to break that streak. Remember back to the to-do list for the first floor of the house? In that post, I shared a picture of our back entry. It was a very neutral space, and somewhat useless, too.
This image is not very helpful as a before because I am just realizing that there are not corresponding shots for what the rest of the room looked like to compare with the current pictures. I guess we can just consider this a product of me blogging about life...not making my life about blogging! However, what the image does show you is the previous wall color and trim. You can understand the space a bit better in the images below but essentially this "room" is simply an exit to the backyard and a hallway to the bathroom/kitchen. A glorified hallway that is luckily a bit wider than average.
Here was my original to-do list for this space (with the completed items crossed off): The Back-Entry To Do (Phase 1):
With all of that out of the way, here is where the room stands now:
Here was my original to-do list for this space (with the completed items crossed off): The Back-Entry To Do (Phase 1):
- Paint the walls with the paint color, Sea Salt, by Sherwin Williams.
- Paint the trim a crisp white.
- Take down the existing curtains and maybe put up something new? Maybe no curtains?
- Repaint the door white because it is pretty scuffed up. Maybe paint it a bold color later.
- Add some wall art.
- Upgrade the light fixture.
- Find a durable rug to bring in a pop of color or texture but still serve its purpose in life.
- Change the flooring to be consistent with whatever we put into the kitchen!
With all of that out of the way, here is where the room stands now:
Luckily, we've checked a lot of those items off. I did have a rug in there before, but with the latest chalkboard wall addition, it was just getting chalky. For now, adding a rug is on hold. We would still like to update the flooring in this room (and most of the first floor), but for now what we have is in good shape. I still have to paint the door frame and doorway to the bathroom, but am waiting on the energy and motivation.
The chalkboard wall was a somewhat unexpected addition to this space. I had hoped to put a chalkboard in the playroom but after thinking more about it, this spot seemed like the best choice. It is right next to the kitchen and provides a creative activity for Asa to do while I am cooking or doing dishes. It also works well here because it is literally on the wall and takes up zero floor space. Since this is primarily a walkway, we need all the space that we can get!
The chalkboard wall was a somewhat unexpected addition to this space. I had hoped to put a chalkboard in the playroom but after thinking more about it, this spot seemed like the best choice. It is right next to the kitchen and provides a creative activity for Asa to do while I am cooking or doing dishes. It also works well here because it is literally on the wall and takes up zero floor space. Since this is primarily a walkway, we need all the space that we can get!
One aspect of having a chalkboard wall that I love is that I can write bible verses and quotes on a large scale in a spot that we will regularly see. It is a bonus that they can be easily changed and updated. Being able to list out our menu is a huge plus, too!
To house our chalkboard supplies, I hung two tin pots on the wall- which we already had on hand from Asa's first birthday. I'm not sure this will be the best long term solution because Asa LOVES carrying the pots around in order to bring the chalk into the other rooms in the house. Sometimes I find (messy, dusty) chalk on the couch which isn't a huge deal but it isn't convenient either. Let's just say we are working on learning that the chalk stays by the chalkboard :). For the erasers, I was able to use up some scrap fabric and foam by stitching them together into rectangles. The best part about these is that they were free and can be washed!
The only chalkboard "tip" that I have would be to place it over a hard floor so that the chalk dust can be easily cleaned! We did have one of these in our old house but rarely used it then due to its location, but I have already wiped the floor up a bunch of times with this one!
The only chalkboard "tip" that I have would be to place it over a hard floor so that the chalk dust can be easily cleaned! We did have one of these in our old house but rarely used it then due to its location, but I have already wiped the floor up a bunch of times with this one!
This space is also home to our microwave and recycling bin. Our kitchen doesn't have a built in microwave, so this spot seemed to be our best option without taking up any counter space. You can never have enough counter space, right? The recycling bin isn't anything special but since it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb it can stay for now (it has got to go somewhere). There are also three little plants who make their home atop the microwave. Those babies have been alive and thriving for approximately eight months now :).
This cart is also great because I am able to store my dining linens underneath. Both of these baskets were just sitting in storage so I was glad to give them a purpose. Leaning up against the cart is our step ladder. This little guy serves so many purposes- a platform for Asa to help in the kitchen, assisting us when we need items that are up high, etc. It also used to belong to my Grandma and Grandpa Spade which makes it all the more charming.
The cost breakdown of this room is pretty simple:
And one last thing, here is the wall in action (I drew the balloons and "A"...he just draws lines):
The cost breakdown of this room is pretty simple:
- Paint, $25 (also used in the downstairs bathroom)
- Chalkboard paint, $7.50 on sale at Target
- Plants, approximately $9 at Meijer
- The rest of the items and accessories were things that we already owned and happened to find a home in here!
And one last thing, here is the wall in action (I drew the balloons and "A"...he just draws lines):
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