OH Design Co.

In the process of setting up this blog, I realized I haven't talked about the dining room since I completed the bookcases.  I guess, I got it to where I really liked it, because not a whole lot has changed.  These were some pictures I took over the summer, but never really posted, so I thought I would show you some of those.  I will probably be tweaking the room a small bit with the coming of the fall and changing of leaves.  I can't wait to bring in some fall leaves and autumn colors!





A closeup of what's on some of the shelves.  This probably gets rearranged about twice a year, to bring the fall colored dishes back up top.

For a couple of years I have had a tear out of this chalkboard from Restoration Hardware.  My inner 'frugalista' would not allow me to spend $499 on a chalkboard.  But I knew that I could build one on my own.  So finally this week, I bit the bullet and decided to do  it.  And she is glorious!  I still consider myself an amateur woodworker, so it is not perfect.  But it actually turned out even better than I anticipated!



I figured if I liked it, someone else would probably like to build their own as well, so below is a tutorial.

To get the project started I had to create a frame as a base.  For the longest, I felt stumped as to what do.  I finally settled on building a frame out of 1x2's.  These pieces were attached with screws.  The outside lengths are on edge so that the 3/4" edge is showing.  I did this so that I could later attach outer trim.  The two inside lengths are flat and flush with the front of the frame.  I did this so that it would better support the hardboard that I would later attach.  My frame was 36"x 68".  If I were to build another one,  I would add another support so that they were closer to 16" apart.  These were spaced about 23" apart.



I then attached a 36" x 68" sheet of quarter-inch (1/4") hardboard to the frame to serve as the chalkboard surface.  I used a nail gun and 1 1/4" nails to attach it.  I also used regular wood glue on the back as well.  This is where I ran into my first problem.  I got the hardboard cut at the store, but it was off by about 3/16th of an inch.  I wanted my outside trim to lie flush with frame, so I ended up buying a piece of trim that was 1/4"thick and the same width as my frame and just applied it to the overhanging edge.

Not too shabby for two days of work.

Cost breakdown:

3ct 1x 2 x 6 whitewood, for frame                           $10
4x8 sheet 1/4" hardboard                                          $ 9
chalkboard paint (on hand)                                       $ 0
'Provincial' Minwax stain (on hand)                         $ 0
1x3's(one 8' length, two 6' lengths) for outer trim   $17
3 ct 8' lengths of 3 1/4" base molding                      $21


                                    Total Cost                             $57

So, if you have been eyeing those chalkboards, or just love a good DIY, let me know if you try this project.  I'm off to hang this in the playroom.

Update: The chalkboard is finished off  and hung up.  Check out how!

Linking up to Beth's Tutorials and Tips Link Party at Home Stories A to Z.  Thanks Beth for the feature in 10 Tutorials and Tips Not to Miss!

First, the staff was wonderful.  We were talking to them, and one of them told the Bub, "We're so happy you could come today."  His response was, "Well actually, I really wanted to go the zoo, but my parents brought me here."  They got a crack out of that, but by the time the show was over and he had explored the science center, he didn't want to leave!

My family and I spent Spring Break in NYC.  It was our first ever spring break vacation, first airplane flight for my son, and our longest family trip ever.  I think I came back more exhausted than when I left, but we had fun!  The whole trip was planned via travel hacking, but I think it was the nicest vacation we have ever had.






and visited the Empire State Building,














Another place we ate at several times was Angelo's Pizza, which was a few steps from the hotel.  It was everything you would expect from New York Pizza--a thin, chewy crust + delicious toppings.  For some reason, I only have a pic of my salad, but it was just as good!