Chalkboard Walls

As a designer I want to bring you fresh new ideas.  The boldness of this concept may cause you to pump the brakes. Just when I thought I had seen every possible use for chalkboard paint, check out this artist studio (seen below),  drawers painted black for easy labeling, great space.

I like the idea of painting whole walls with blackboard paint.

Below: This kitchen in London has a very modern edge, but the chalkboard wall adds an unexpected vintage touch.

Below: A hallway

Below: A dining room with trendy chalkboard wall, inspiring for children too!

Below: A kitchen with a chalkboard cabinets & backsplash.

Below: Kitchen with chalkboard painted wall on the right,  and no fussy details.

Below: A kitchen from Marie Claire Maison,  great ambience.

Below: Of course, if you don't feel like committing to painting an entire wall, a giant schoolroom blackboard will do nicely.

Below: A door painted with chalkboard paint serves as a giant shopping list in this kitchen from Living Etc.

Below: Another door painted with chalkboard paint; via Living Etc, notice the framed medic cross,  what a novel idea.

Below: How about a board painted with blackboard paint?

  The vintage lamp and file drawers,  wonderful details!

Below: A kitchen art space.

Modern is what we are seeing more of these days and we should not be afraid to mix it up. You do not have to break the bank with this idea,  chalkboard paint is inexpensive and can transform your surroundings.  Give your home a completely fresh new look.

Everyday is a gift….

 

PSssST! Over Here!

FiFi O’Neill has given us a teaser to her soon-to- be released book,  entitled;  Romanic Prairie Style. My loving friend Jennifer was kind enough to allow FiFi and her team,  to use her beautiful cottage for some of the soon-to-be revealed inside images.

Front:

Back Cover:

To be released Spring 2011.   You can pre-order copies now( click) here.

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Restaurant-style stainless kitchen

I was recently asked, “ What’s your favorite blog”? I would have to say Remodelista (click here),  tons of great stuff. I found this retro kitchen in their archives.

The kitchen mixes traditional retro elements with sleek restaurant-style stainless for a timeless look. I like the way the architects used three different yet similar lighting fixtures in one space (a pair of schoolhouse flush-mounted porcelain lights, another pair of ceiling lights over the sink, and a sconce over the chalkboard). Another clever detail: the designers used white paint on the upper cabinets and silver paint on the lower cabinets and drawers.

Steal the look with the following elements:

Above: Start with an industrial stainless-steel kitchen prep table; we like the look and the price of the Economy Stainless Steel Kitchen Island Work Table by John Boos, maker of professional food service products. Available in an array of sizes, starting at $431 for the 72-by-30-inch table at the Stainless Steel Store.

Above: The classic 26-inch counter height Lyon Industrial Stool comes in dove gray with steel seat and black rubber feet; $61.95 at CSN Chairs (can be painted white or professionally powdercoated).

Everyday is a gift