Inspirational Chalkboard with DecoArt Paints

September 8, 2015

DIY chalkboard DecoArt chalky paint

Today's the day I share with you my first DecoArt project, made with awesome swag I received at the recent Midwest DIY Blogger Round-Up held at Randolph Street Market in Chicago back in August. It wasn't enough that there were great speakers and DIY demos ~ we had to get fabulous DIY swag, too! (I was not paid for writing this, I just wanted to share my thoughts. All opinions are my own.)

DecoArt Americana Decor paints and gloss

Here's a picture of some DecoArt Americana DECOR products I received at the event. I was absolutely thrilled to try their Chalky Finish paint (they call it an ultra matte paint for home décor),and it was in a color I've been crushing on for a while now: Escape. I've been toying with adding some color to our family room, and this shade of blue just keeps coming back into my head. Then I get this paint to try. Kismet, I think.

I still wasn't quite ready to commit, though, so I started small. It's a quick and easy project you can certainly do in an afternoon. Here's an old sign I picked up at Goodwill for $2.99. While the sentiment is sweet, it just doesn't go with our current décor. So what better way to change it up than to paint it?

Always Kiss Me Goodnight Sign with Shamrock

Here it is close-up before I began painting. Yes, it's sitting on a chipper in the garage. Don't ask.

worn wood for DIY chalkboard

You can see that it was already worn away in just the right places so I didn't even have to distress it after I painted it! (Although this particular brand of paint is supposed to distress well.) I knew I wanted it to be a chalkboard for inspirational quotes, so after using painter's tape to cover up the parts I wanted to be blue, I painted it with chalkboard paint first (two coats with a paint brush). Then it was ready for that awesome blue.

Painted DIY chalkboard sign

While I did paint some of the edges, I left the worn spots, well, worn down to the wood. I basically dry brushed it, and ended up with exactly what I wanted ~ a worn and vintage looking piece! I absolutely love the chalky, matte finish!

DecoArt Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint in Escape

   Painted DIY chalkboard sign

DecoArt Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint in Escape

Before using a new chalkboard you have to season it by rubbing it down with the side of a piece of chalk.

DIY painted chalkboard and chalk with eraser

Mission accomplished. Despite the two coats of chalkboard paint I could still kind of see the first few letters of the original saying when I rubbed it down with the chalk. Luckily, once I erased the mess, the letters didn't seem as noticeable.

Painted DIY chalkboard sign

And even less so when I wrote over them!

DIY chalkboard DecoArt chalky paint

This is one of my absolute favorite Bible quotes.

DIY chalkboard DecoArt chalky paint

DIY chalkboard DecoArt chalky paint

So what do you think?

Love the color?

Love the look?

I do!

I can't thank DecoArt enough for the generous gifts they provided to
all of us Midwest DIY bloggers who attended the Round-up!
(Stay tuned for some glossy paint projects as well!) 


Well, that's it until next time!

I hope you enjoyed reading about my Inspirational Chalkboard 
with DecoArt Paint.

Thanks for spending time with me today! 

Be sure to stay in touch:

Just click on my Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram icons in my top right sidebar. You can also sign up there to receive my blog posts via email as well.

Don't forget to Pin it! 



DIY chalkboard DecoArt chalky paint



Don’t miss another thrifty,
 DIY home décor post!    

Leave a Comment!

Diana said...

Awesome project--love the size (and your quote!). You have great chalkboard handwriting :) I've been using the Americana Decor paint a lot lately and have been very happy with it. Love your blue--I've not used that one yet. Blessings! Pinning and posting on facebook--

Angie @ Knick of Time said...

Looks darling - love the pop of color! Thank for sharing it at the Vintage Inspiration Party!

Audra @ Renewed Projects said...

absolutely love it! especially the script you used to write out the verse. was that stenciled or free-hand?

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

I'm a chalky/matte kinda gal. Love your transformation and the color you chose. Chalkboard love!! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Inspiration Party.

Jeanette said...

What a great upcycle for an old sign. Love the color and the sentiment too. I'm a little obsessed with chalkboards right now and I'm pinning this one!

Related Posts with Thumbnails