HOW TO FLIP A DRAWER INTO AN ADORABLE CHALKBOARD BOX

Do you remember my adorable blue console-style dresser? It started as a dresser and I took two drawers out to update it as a console or a buffet.  Well, those two drawers have been sitting in my garage and I decided to make something out of them.

The drawers are nice and large so I wanted to create storage of some sort.  Planters are one option, although plants would have to be removable for watering since they are solid wood.  Storing quilts or pillows or linens of some sort is also a perfect option.

Let me show you how to make a chalkboard box!

After I washed the drawers with soapy water and let them dry, my first step was to paint them and fill small holes with wood filler.  Once the filler was dry I sanded lightly.  Then I painted with Rustoleum’s Chalk Paint in Linen White (it is my favorite color of white chalk paint!).

I sanded the drawers with my orbital sander to create a distressed look once the paint was dry.  This is always a personal choice how much to leave on or sand off.  If you try this yourself, go slow. Once you have sanded too much there is no going back unless you repaint the whole piece.

I had thought to use a stencil to paint text of some sort.  Maybe a friendship or gardening quote?

I decided to go with a chalkboard so that text could be changed according to the season, or the contents of the box.

Taping off the edges helped to create a perfect frame for my board.  Adding a couple of coats of Rustoleum’s chalkboard paint makes for a durable writing surface.

Always remember that chalk paint is different than chalkboard paint.  Chalk paint will not create a writing surface…chalkboard paint will.

 

Season your board once it is completely dry.  Laying a piece of chalk on  it’s side and dragging it over the surface creates a chalk layer.  Wipe that layer off with a dry cloth and you are set to write!

Check in next week for a tutorial on lettering your board like a pro!

These boxes have been sold and are happily living in someone’s house (or at least I like to think of it that way!), and I am on to my next project.

My hope is that your creative pursuits are successful and cute!