This year, I wanted to do something a little more, well...me when decorating my mantel for Christmas.
I wanted a gigantic chalkboard in the middle, urns with evergreen trees, and real garland this year.
.
I have a chalkboard obsession, and any of you who have been around for a while know it isn't going away any time soon. I'll try not to bore you with the details, but if you feel like you need a chalkboard fix, you are welcome to check out my Turn a Mirror into a Chalkboard post or my post on Turning an Old Picture Frame into a Chalkboard, there is even a post on How To Make Chalkboard Vinyl Labels...I know, it's a sickness.
Anyhow, I have been holding on to this old issue of Cottage Living since December 2006, because of the sheer chalkboard envy of this old cottage kitchen. I think this may be where my chalkboard obsession began...I mean, isn't it gorgeous? I've looked and looked for something similar for years, and have had absolutely no luck at all...until my friend Angie had a yardsale...
She was selling this huge mirror from an old dresser for $20, and I had to have it. I knew it was meant to be...this mirror would some how, some way become the chalkboard of my dreams. Sadly, it took me 3 months to finally start...then I became obsessed.
I used some white chalk paint, and covered the entire thing...wood and mirror both. I went ahead and painted the wood with an extra coat, then distressed with a sanding block.
Next, I painted the mirror sections with 3 coats of chalkboard paint. After they had dried overnight, I held a stick of chalk sideways and went over the entire chalkboard. I lightly wiped it off, then began drawing and erasing, and drawing and erasing some more. I wanted it to look old and worn, like the chalkboard of my dreams. This process went on for days, until Matt finally popped in and said I was getting a little crazy with the whole chalkboard thing. So, I stepped back and said, okay...that'll just have to do then. It's not exactly the same...it could never be, and there isn't a spot in my kitchen for it, but I have the perfect spot for now...
He helped me lift the gigantor chalkboard onto the mantel, then the decorating began. I added fresh garland, the Urns I made for less than $3 each were stuffed with arborvitae clippings from our yard and some old amaryllis, then a few more small details were added.
I think it's my favorite mantel yet! I love the natural elements, mixed in with some old family favorites. I even popped some wooden spools and a horseshoe up there for fun...
So, how about you? What do you think? Have you done any Christmas decorating yet, or am I just Christmas crazy?
Leslie Stewart says
What a great idea to use that old dresser mirror!!! Love it!
Leslie
House on the Way
Laura @ Our Prairie Home says
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! What a great find and an awesome transformation! I love your mantle! GORGEOUS, Jessica!
Anneke at This, That and Life says
This looks SO great! It's hard to believe that it used to be a mirror - great score and decorating!!!
Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says
Awesome! I love how that turned out! Love the crown molding on the top of the mirror! That is such a great piece. And that garland is fabulous too!
Life Happens says
Very cute mantel. Love the distressed look of the chalk board.
Janel from NellieBellie says
It is meant to be on your mantel!! It looks amazing!!
I'm in chalkboard lust now. thanks alot :)
[email protected] Line House says
You know what? I think the little spools may be my favorite part! But then again, anything looks amazing against a chalkboard. :) I've got chalkboard on the brain, like, always too. What can you do? Run with it!
[email protected] at the Crossroads says
Jessica, I will never look at mirrors the same! I had no idea you could turn a mirror into a chalkboard! Yours looks marvelous as part of your Christmas mantel display. Love how you added those spools into it, too.
[email protected] at the Crossroads says
I forgot to thank you for adding our blog to your sidebar! Thanks so much and I've added you to ours, too!
Cheryl @ That's What Che Said says
Absolutely Love it Jess! Love, love, love it! I want one now! (adn I can't believe you scored that awesome mirror for only $20) Awesome job!
Carlene @ Organized Clutter says
I love that huge chalkboard on the mantel. Great transformation.
Cassie Taylor says
I love the chalkboard idea! I saw your blog on the Meet me Monday Link party and wanted to check it out!
Sue says
Woo hoo! This is a fun transformation and the perfect focal point for your holiday mantel. :-)
Katie @ Creatively Living says
What a makeover! Fabulous!
Lucy Farmer says
Absolutely fantastic!! I love what you did. BTW, my friend just bought that house that is pictured in Cottage Living! She didn't get to keep the chalkboard, though. It's a great inspirational house!!
Shannon Fox says
Umm.. yeah. I want that. No, really. You better hand it over before someone gets hurt! hehe
It's freaking super gorgeous girl. $20??? You scored. It's fabulous and it looks great right where you put it! Happy Holidays to YOU! You wonder decorating diva.
reFresh reStyle says
You had me at gigantor chalkboard! It looks amazing and I love that you used your urns :) and for $20~get outta here!
Debbie
Inspire Me Heather says
Nice job on the chalkboard, that turned out gorgeous!! I loved your mantle too, all together it looks beautiful!
Debbiedoo's says
Girl you outdid yourself on this one! WOWZA..it was totally meant to be. I love it. What a steal too.
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
Wow, this is so SO stunning! I can't believe it's even the same mirror!
Eclectically Vintage says
You're crazy good - I share your obsession with chalkboards! What a beauty and the whole mantel looks amazing.
Kelly
The Other Me Is Sane says
ok sister, I think I've finally found someone who loves chalkboards as much as I do. I have that Country Living 2006 picture too in my binders of tear sheets. Love your chalkboard, if you ever decide to sell it...
Jennifer Dawn Oliver Shelton says
I adore this idea! Love any project involving a chalkboard. :) I'd love for you to stop by and link it up to my weekly link party. http://thelifeofjenniferdawn.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-little-bird-told-me-link-party-19.html
Danni Baird @ Silo Hill Farm says
Love the chalkboard! It looks better than your magazine inspiration! Actually, I love your whole mantel!
Biz says
Stopping by from The Life of Jennifer Dawn and let me tell you I LOVE the chalkboard!
I too looked for quite sometime for an old school house chalkboard.
I never did find one and I settled on buying a newer magnetic chalkboard, but yours is stunning and it has re instilled in me the desire to search on!
Wrighty says
AMAZING!! Your chalkboard looks so much better than the magazine version! The whole mantle is beautiful and so homey and personal. You've really inspired me to get going with my decorating and crafting. I have Some Harry Potter ornaments to make for a friend and two little grandchildren to decorate for. Great job! :)
Katie Drane says
What a clever idea! It's beautiful!
Katie
http://www.funhomethings.com
TheMoonAndMe says
It's gorgeous...you did a great job! I can see why you were obsessed over the one in the magazine! AH! Now I'm envious of yours. :)
Kelly
Amber's Snippets of Design says
I love it! You did a great job...it's beautiful!
xo,
amber
snippets{of}design.com
[email protected] says
This turned out beautifully! I love the very dark as the center of the mantle display. I so miss Cottage Living magazine . . . I still have about 6 years worth packed away.
[email protected] Designs says
The mantel is so very cute and festive....great idea about the chalkboard...you did a wonderful job as always!!
Stacey Hann says
Looks great!! You did a great job!
Kim @ Too Much Time says
You did a freakin awesome job on this one, girl! Love a good Craigslist score and the white finish is fab. If you have a sec this weekend, I would love for you to share at Get Schooled Saturday! http://too-much-time.com/2012/11/get-schooled-saturday-50.html
xxx
Kim @ Too Much Time On My Hands
chateau chic says
Your chalkboard is awesome!! It makes a great centerpiece on your mantel.
Mary Alice
Jill Flory of Sew a Fine Seam says
Your mantel is beautiful! And you did a great job with the mirror transformation into a chalkboard!
Erika says
What a great idea!! It looks amazing - I am totally going to steal this idea:)
Kim says
Aw, it was meant to be Jessica. I love that you had such vision when you saw this mirror. It looks perfect now as the chalkboard of your dreams! Great job.
xoxo,
Kim
Kristen {Ella Claire} says
So Pretty~~ I think that is the chalkboard of my dreams too!!
Vanessa @ Our Thrifty Ideas says
Wow, what a transformation. I love it.
malia says
I have a stack of Cottage Livings that I refer to all the time... and it still looks so fresh! Love your project.
Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says
This is just gorgeous!!!!! Featuring later today!
XO
Kristin
[email protected] Charm says
Awesome price on that mirror:) It's perfect for your mantel too! Makes a huge statement and that's what we all want, right?
Blessings,
Linda
One More Time says
Very Pretty
Erin Spain says
Looks great! So pretty.. And I love the chalkboard! It turned out great.
-Erin @ DIY On the Cheap
Ginger says
Featuring you today! :)
Ginger @ gingersnapcrafts.com
http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/12/take-look-at-you-christmas-edition.html
Wild Oak Designs says
Wow, I didn't know that you could paint a mirror with chalkboard paint! Really?? That is so cool!
It looks fantastic. I have learned so much just from reading blogs!
Merry Christmas!
Nancy
http://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
Stacey says
So pretty!
Would love if you stopped by the Holiday Linky Party - mantels - to link it up! The party is happening NOW!
Stacey of Embracing Change
http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com
Heather SettingforFour says
Looks fab Jessica! I tried turning a mirror into a chalkboard once - epic fail...the paint kept bubbling in a few places! I like the idea of painting it with chalk paint first! Beautiful decorating - so festive!
Debbiedoo's says
You really blew me away on this one Jessica. Awesome job! So happy you joined me.
Linda @ A La Carte says
It is amazing and gorgeous! A dresser mirror...I would never have thought to use that. Great job!
Marla and Steve says
It's perfect!
Sandy says
What a great idea! It looks fabulous on your mantel!
Stacey says
Very cute Jessica - and I adore that chalk board!
Great idea!
Thanks for linking up to the Christmas Mantel Linky Party at Embracing Change!
Stacey