How To Make Custom Color Chalkboard Paint Martha Stewart

We know that there's a lot to say about chalkboard paint, but, we believe that when done right and in a resourceful way, it's pretty great. Paint a small wall in the kitchen, laundry room, mud room or a kids room and you'll realize just how utilitarian a chalkboard wall can be. They look even better in custom colors.

The ability to customize the color of chalkboard paint opens up the versatility. Paint a chalkboard calendar on the wall in your office and write in each event or deadline, easily erased when the task is completed. If you're short on wall space in the kitchen, why not paint your cabinets in a cool tone chalkboard paint? Leave messages for each member in the family or write little reminders (since we all spend so much time in the kitchen!).

Here's how to make your own custom color chalkboard paint from the Martha Stewart archives:
1. Pour 1 cup of paint into a container. Add 2 tablespoons of unsanded tile grout. Mix with a paint stirrer, carefully breaking up clumps.
2. Apply paint with a roller or a sponge paintbrush to a primed or painted surface. Work in small sections, going over the same spot several times to ensure full, even coverage. Let dry.
3. Smooth area with 150-grit sandpaper, and wipe off dust.
4. To condition: Rub the side of a piece of chalk over entire surface. Wipe away residue with a barely damp sponge.

The possibilities are endless!

Images: Martha Stewart, Danny Seo, Better Homes and Gardens

Comments (16)

Or, you could buy Hudson Paint -- chalkboard paint in a pretty good variety of colors.

The first one, with the calendar squares, kinda thrills me. And I really thought chalkboard paint was dumb until I saw it. I have a blank spot on a kitchen wall that's been looking for something, and I have a busy family...could be a match made in heaven.

I used the Martha recipe to paint a 30 inch square for my son to scribble on. Great way to use up that last little bit of paint leftover from something else. I found that my mix got very thick by the time I finished painting -- almost like mud. Maybe use less grout?

I know chalkboard paint has been done to death, but I still like it. I'm planning to create a metallic chalboard in some kind of vintage frame for my office, in lieu of the boring corkboard. When I find the time (and a frame). So, I love this idea.
~Tanya
dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com

Love the idea of chalkboard paint but just the thought of chalk dust getting all over the place is enough to make me crazy!

i've never put it in my place, but it is PERFECT for my kindergarten classroom, in combination with students without dust allergies.

Must we only use chalk to write? It gets powdery and messy esp when you brush your shoulder while walking past the wall... are there any other alternatives?

I have a chalkboard in my office in boring ol' black. Maybe I'll repaint it some fun color!

Would this work with the magnetic chalkboard paint??? I loved the calendar idea too, and how cute to use magnetic numbers and letters for the days and months!!!

fyi - I have done this. It works well, HOWEVER, I would highly recommend making a water/grout slurry and adding that to the paint (assuming you're using latex - I did). I got the brilliant idea to have my paint guy mix in my grout and by the time I got it home, it was a huge horrible clump.

and I should add, if you're into having your home pristine, this isn't for you. It's definitely sort of a messy look, but it totally works for our messy family :o)

Rustoleum now makes tintable chalkboard paint! i just picked up some in grey last night.

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=168

I plan on painting a wall with it tomorrow.

To the poster looking for a chalk alternative - we bought white board paint (it comes in various colors too). We painted a small Ikea table top with it and now we use it on our patio as a game table with dry erase markers.

@suzeebanshee i think you can also use chalkboard markers on chalkboards. i don't know much about them but i think its what restaurants use for their chalkbord menus sometimes :)

I made my hallway area more interesting by painting one side with blackboard paint using the formula here. It is 6ft by 6ft. My 2 year old never painted on any wall other than that chalkboard wall, but we use dustless chalk, they are cheap and come in different colors. Why worry about dust from the chalk? And to clean it is just wipe with a wet cloth and let dry.

I just tried this, and it DID NOT come out pretty. Although it was well mixed, it just didn't coat consistently and now I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to scrap it off and try something else. u_u