Thursday, November 18, 2010

Vieux Tableau de Fenêtre - {Old Window Blackboard}

I have quite the addiction my friends to writing lists. To do lists....shopping lists....renovation lists.....things I want to make lists...present lists.....the list goes on (get it...ha!!). Coupled with a love affair for old casement windows I had a list lovers match made in heaven. This blackboard was easy peasy lemon squeezy.....so easy in fact I thought I'd show you how.

Step 1 : Find yourself an old casement window. It needn't look exactly like mine but something with a large middle panel is best. (I particularly liked this one and it was a bargain but I did have to remove a few pieces of timber from the centre.....an easier version would just have one big central piece of glass)

Step 2: Decide which glass panel you want to turn into a blackboard and which ones you want to leave just cause they're pretty! Turn your window over and using a hammer and chisel chip away the old putty holding the glass in place. Go slowly and please, please, please wear safety glasses. Your peepers can't grow back!

Step 3: Wearing gloves very carefully remove the glass.....old glass like this can really bite! Using your hammer flatten back the little naily things that help hold the glass in place and then measure and cut a thinnish piece of MDF to fit your new space (make sure you measure right to the edges of the space so the MDF can sit on the little rebate all around the sides) . Apply a few good coats of blackboard paint trying to paint in one direction. When dry, lay your blackboard face down into the space.

Step 5: Using a hammer, gently tap weeny nails into the back sides of the window to hold the blackboard in place (hammer the nails on a bit of an angle and only tap them in about half the way). I used one every 15 centimetres or so. Attach a good sturdy picture hook to the back....

Et voila! Your funky shopping list/menu board/Mumma's taxi bookings/lusty date night with your Hubby schedule etc. is complete.

May your shopping list always read like so: 2 bottles of Moët, truffle oil, a slab of triple cream brie, double cream, fresh raspberries, un baguette, portobello mushrooms, white asparagus, fresh tortellini, chocolate of all shapes and sizes.....


To see the list of all lists head over here to see all the creative lovelies and what they've been up to. Mmmmm....I really should make a list of which blogs I have visited over at Kirsty's this week....

18 comments:

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Oh i love this, totally cool & collecting lots of ideas like this for my future homestead. Ah, the dream . . . love Posie

CurlyPops said...

I love this Steph. You have the coolest ideas!

Sarah said...

that shopping list just sounds perfect!!! i love the clever use of the window...fun idea

Brenda @ 13 Acres said...

Ahhhh....Steph my twin my twin my twin!! perhaps we should make a list of all the times we have made what each other was thinking or about to make!!! I have the blackboard paint and instead of an old window panel i was going to use an old framed mirror from when we renovated. It's just sitting their waiting for me to get the courage to give it a go! I love your tips and tricks....Enjoy writing more lists xx

Anita said...

How clever! Thanks so much for visiting my blog Steph, and for your lovely comment. I'm so glad you did, because it lead me to you delightful blog :) So much to see and be inspired by here. It is lovely to "meet" you. xx

Teresa said...

What a fantastic idea. I feel so inspired (helped by the fact you've made it look and sound easy)I want to go out now and make one. Thanks for the step by step instructions. Love it!!

spectacularfairywren said...

great great window... am always on the lookout for this since i saw it... somewhere..? You have perfected the execution. Love it.

Wendy said...

Love this, Steph...

Jennie said...

Love it Steph!x

melissa said...

Yet another fabulous creation from the House of Steph! love it!

Kylie said...

If only I had old casement windows - Love it - well done - Love lists here too - I would not get through my day without them.
Blackboards will be a thing of the past one day soon - Amelia's school use those snazzy new boards - what will happen to children who grow up without hearing the shreak of the chalk on the blackboard.

BOB & MABEL said...

You've done a great job. I've got a few old windows around and now i'm feeling inspired!

Heidi said...

You talented little cutie what a great idea!
You are quite the toolbelt diva.

Maxabella said...

Where do you come up with these ideas!? This looks amazing, Steph. x

bron @ baby space said...

Love this! Genius.

Have a lovely weekend with Spaces!

Rosalind said...

Great job as usual :-) Have you wallpapered furniture before? I am toying what to do with my girls dresser - to paint or not to paint? Any tips?

ana @ i made it so said...

what a great idea for re-purposing! i am a list-maker too. brings a bit of order and sense to the chaos :)

felix and lily said...

What an awesome idea! Thank you for sharing :)

- Krystal xo

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