Young House Love

Home Decorating, DIY Tutorials, & Shenanigans

  • Shop Our House
  • Our Previous Homes
    • Our Richmond House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
  • Before & Afters
    • Our Current House
    • Our Previous House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
    • Our First House
    • Our Second House
    • Our Showhouse
  • DIY & Decorating Tips
    • Most Popular
    • Home Improvement
    • Painting
    • Cleaning & Organizing
    • Crafting & Art
    • More . . .
  • Podcast
    • Getting Started
    • Show Notes
  • Shop
    • Our Fav Home Finds
    • Our Lighting Line
    • Our Books
    • Book Club Picks
    • Black-Owned Businesses

Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Getting The Hang Of It

| By Sherry Petersik | January 6, 2010 | 36 Comments

Reader Redesign: Getting The Hang Of It

When Bethany sent over her simple yet oh so chic message board project we had to share the goods. Anyone can do this in an afternoon to add function and beauty to a kitchen, office, mudroom, or more. Here’s her letter:

Thank you so much for your upbeat positive attitudes and for all that you do to inspire creativity! I wanted to share a project that I completed a while back that was extremely simple, cheap and totally DIY. I think it’s a good fit for anyone who wants to feel more organized but doesn’t want to sacrifice style. I spray painted a garage sale picture frame and used leftover chalkboard paint to paint the glass insert of the frame with a few thick coats (then I waited a while before using it to be sure it was completely cured). You can check out more step by step instructions on my blog. Thanks again for the fun site! – Bethany

RR Chalkboard Frame1

RR Chalkboard Frame2

Isn’t that a sweet and simple little frame facelift? Especially because she used a garage sale frame and extra chalkboard paint that she already had laying around! Thanks so much for sending the fun before & after pictures our way Bethany! Your message makes an organizational freak like me grin from ear to ear. Full disclosure: my mouth is actually watering…

More posts from Young House Love

Filed Under: Reader Redesigns

Romantic Traditions: Displaying Keepsakes Like Chopsticks!
How To Grout White Subway Tile & Marble Floor Tile

Comments

  1. Avatar for KristenKristen says

    January 6, 2010 at 2:08 pm

    I love it! Easy, inspiring and stylish…looks like something that even I can tackle!! I have the perfect spot in my kitchen for something like this! Thanks for the great idea!!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Lacey (Laptops to Lullabies)Lacey (Laptops to Lullabies) says

    January 6, 2010 at 2:15 pm

    My Hubby and I collect licence plates from every U.S. state we visit, and then I create a shadowbox around them, with photos and other mementos from the trip. We also take a goofy “theme” photo that captures the essence of the state!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Danielle@Newlyweds Paradise[email protected] Paradise says

    January 6, 2010 at 2:33 pm

    How adorable!!! Great job Bethany!!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for Allison HAllison H says

    January 6, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    I have been collecting shotglasses for several years now, but the hubby and I started the vacation postcard tradition after seeing it on your blog! You guys are such a great decor inspiration :)

    Reply
  5. Avatar for CassieCassie says

    January 6, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    What a great job! I love how the frame went from gaudy to chic and classy.

    Reply
  6. Avatar for DanaDana says

    January 6, 2010 at 2:47 pm

    I think this is great! I love visible lists… can’t avoid it when it’s staring back at you! And who wouldn’t want to make lists on this message board? So cute.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for JCJC says

    January 6, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    Ack! You’re doing it on purpose now! ANOTHER “oh so”?!?!

    Really like the frame makeover though. Definitely an achievable project for even a non-crafty person like me.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2010 at 2:52 pm

      Haha, let’s just say I noticed it when I was proofreading… but I left it in anyway! Call me a rebel.

      xo,
      s

  8. Avatar for BarbaraBarbara says

    January 6, 2010 at 2:54 pm

    I have a frame similar to that! I got mine at a So Cal Salvation Army for $1.50. It was a pukey grey color. I painted it gold and put a mirror in it. It’s now white and used as my bathroom mirror.
    ____
    http://ifididnthaveasenseofhumor.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Lesley @ TheDesignFileLesley @ TheDesignFile says

    January 6, 2010 at 2:58 pm

    I love smaller projects like this. It’s perfect! And I would not have thought to just paint the glass. I would have found a hardboard piece to go in the back. It’s so smart to just use what’s already there. Great job!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for SamanthaSamantha says

    January 6, 2010 at 2:58 pm

    I LOVE THIS! i might do this myself, honestly!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for Bridget B.Bridget B. says

    January 6, 2010 at 3:50 pm

    very cool and chic! i’m gonna have to find a way to incorporate this in one of my rooms.

    Reply
  12. Avatar for MichelleMichelle says

    January 6, 2010 at 4:02 pm

    Love this!!
    My sister just did this in her bedroom at our parents house with old picture frames and mirrors-minus the chalkboard paint- and it looks totally chic and vintage-y. keep up the good work!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    January 6, 2010 at 4:23 pm

    I LOVE how ornate that frame is. I must have the worst garage sales/thrift stores around here. I never find anything!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for Marine Corps BrideMarine Corps Bride says

    January 6, 2010 at 4:24 pm

    Love it, love it, love it!!! You could also put a light colored paper behind the glass and use whiteboard markers to write on the glass. I did this in a rental house that had a cheezy wall of tiled mirror. Great work and fabulous idea Bethany!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for margiemargie says

    January 6, 2010 at 4:25 pm

    I just love how white paint can make anything so chic and beautiful! Love it!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for Bethany @ b*spokeBethany @ b*spoke says

    January 6, 2010 at 4:54 pm

    Wow! Thanks so much for posting this and thanks to everyone for the kind words! This is a SUPER easy, quick and cheap project… anyone can do it, I promise. Feel free to shoot me an email with any questions, [email protected] :)

    Reply
  17. Avatar for JenJen says

    January 6, 2010 at 4:54 pm

    as a fellow sushi lovin richmonder i’ve got to let you guys in on the secret of “mai sushi”. it’s a small sushi place out in the west end (near UR) that isn’t too well known yet (aka not crowded), super delicious and reasonably priced. it’s like a little hidden sushi gem!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for JenJen says

    January 6, 2010 at 4:56 pm

    whoops… meant to leave that comment on your new years eve tradition post. oh well, there ya have it.

    Reply
  19. Avatar for ConnieConnie says

    January 6, 2010 at 5:09 pm

    Oh, how cute is that frame! I love the inspiration and simple things in life. Repurpose, recycle, reuse!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for JamieJamie says

    January 6, 2010 at 5:14 pm

    You can find the grestest things at garage sales and with just a little creativity you can turn something into a treasure. Great idea Beth!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for 31everything31everything says

    January 6, 2010 at 5:57 pm

    VERY pretty redo :) LOVE it :) Nice job.

    Reply
  22. Avatar for RachelRachel says

    January 6, 2010 at 7:54 pm

    Wow, what a great idea! It looks amazing! Love that it was done on a budget. Great job :)

    Reply
  23. Avatar for ChristineChristine says

    January 6, 2010 at 8:23 pm

    This is such an effective and beautiful project. I’m filing this idea in my design-to-do list for the future! Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
  24. Avatar for Jessica @ How SweetJessica @ How Sweet says

    January 6, 2010 at 8:45 pm

    Gorgeous!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for Megan SMegan S says

    January 6, 2010 at 10:15 pm

    Ooh! A fellow Minnesotan! I bought a can of spray chalkboard paint in hopes of making tags for baskets, but haven’t follow through as yet. Maybe this project will inspire me to finally get it done!

    Reply
  26. Avatar for yansyyansy says

    January 6, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    Love, love the frame. What a great idea and simple project!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for thursdaythursday says

    January 7, 2010 at 12:06 am

    I want to do this! We could really have fun with a chalkboard here.

    Reply
  28. Avatar for Suzi QSuzi Q says

    January 7, 2010 at 2:16 am

    I’m so bummed. I LOVE seeing all the chalkboard projects and making one would be right up my alley. I want one but my husband hates them and says they are too messy. They are adorable but I do agree (don’t tell him, hehe) that chalk is messy and not the easiest thing to write on. Does anyone have a hybrid idea?? Something as stylish as a DIY chalkboard but functional like a white board? Does anyone know about that (I think its called) chalkboard paint pens? You know like the blend of the day menu at Starbucks.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 7, 2010 at 2:17 am

      Hey Suzi,

      I think chalkboard pens are the answer! Just google around for them and order them in a plethora of colors and forgo the dusty chalk!

      xo,
      s

  29. Avatar for LindsayLindsay says

    January 7, 2010 at 10:51 am

    The black and white contrast is so fresh, I love everything about this. Especially that it was trash-to-treasure. I just solved a window shade situation by rummaging around in my garage for unused stuff and sewing a new curtain panel, for free. It’s very satisfying to re-use things that could otherwise end up wasted.

    Reply
  30. Avatar for pk @ Room Remixpk @ Room Remix says

    January 7, 2010 at 7:45 pm

    Love the detail on the frame and the fact that the makeover was so inexpensive. Much more fun to be organized when it’s pretty to look at!

    Reply
  31. Avatar for bonniebonnie says

    January 9, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    hi sherry! i love this! i once found a really old ornate frame similar to this- and made a chalkboard out of it (love that paint!) and kept it in my kitchen. perfect for menus or grocery lists! i also put a coat of the magnetic paint (found at lowes) on before the chalkboard paint- so it held magnets and notes as well!

    Reply
  32. Avatar for JulianaJuliana says

    January 15, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    I did this same thing recently with stuff that was just lyin’ around. I love my new chalkboards!

    Pictures of the project here:
    http://bearandhoney.net/2009/12/10/could-it-be-a-craft-project/

    http://bearandhoney.net/2009/12/28/chalkboards-finished/

    Reply
  33. Avatar for CaraCara says

    January 16, 2010 at 5:48 pm

    I love this project. I am wondering if the glass will hold up or if it might be better to put in a thin wood panle in?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 16, 2010 at 8:29 pm

      Good question! Substituting thin wood for the glass pane definitely wouldn’t hurt so it’s all up to you. Although if you don’t have another use for the pane of glass it’s a great way to use what you have and see how it works out (before buying wood for the job if you need to). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
*This site contains ads and affiliate links*
See our disclaimer & privacy policy to learn more

Latest Finds

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

SHOP OUR LIGHTING

Young House Love Shades Of Light Capiz Chandelier

GET POSTS BY EMAIL

We’re Digging

Traditional Rug
The “Magic” Rug
Smokeless Solo Stove Firepit
Smokeless Firepit
Woven Storage Ottoman
Storage Ottoman
Subtle Pink Rug
Our Bedroom Rug
Blue Air 211 Air Purifier
Our Air Purifiers
Faux Potted Olive Tree
Faux Olive Tree
Kohler Memoirs Toilet
Our Favorite Toilet
Soft Striped Rug
Soft Striped Rug
SEE MORE OF OUR FAVORITE FINDS > >

  • About
  • FAQs
  • Press
  • Contact
  • :)

© 2023 Young House Love ® · Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · A Fun Wordpress theme on Genesis Framework · Hosted by Liquid Web