where I work :: magnetic chalkboard & more

by Kaylah Stroup
A few weeks back I painted a wall in office with both magnetic paint and chalkboard paint so now I’ve got myself a fancy pants magnetic chalkboard! Awesome, right!? I’ve been wanting to change up my office for some time and finally it hit me exactly what I wanted. So I picked up Rust-oleum magnetic primer and chalkboard paint and set off to work!

The magnetic paint was kind of a hassle. I probably wouldn’t use it ever again. It was insanely difficult to mix. All the magnetic particles or whatever were just in a solid three inch glob at the bottom. My arms were actually sore from mixing this stuff. (If you pick some up locally ask someone in the paint department to throw it in the mixing machine for you real quick to make it a bit easier!) On top of that it took two full cans and what felt like a billion coats to even get it remotely magnetic. I’m really glad I didn’t decide to paint an even bigger area than this, that would have been crazy.

Let’s talk about how much the magnetic primer stinks! I had all my windows open, the fan running, taking all the precautions I’d normally take painting. A few hours after I was done painting I started smelling gas. I called the gas company and commenced a mini freak out. I grabbed the all four cats, put them in three carriers and shoved them in my car. Then ran back in the house grabbed a bunch of things that were special to me and pulled my car out into the road and waited for the gas company to arrive. Nearly an hour later the guy shows up and I take him into the house. Long story short, he didn’t smell anything, his machine couldn’t detect any gas and he asked if I’d be painting. How embarrassing!! I’m not 100% sure why it took so long for the smell to get to me especially because it never really smelled in the room I was painting but after I started painting again with the second can I realized this stuff does sort of smell like gas.

Anyway, back to my little project. The next day, after that was all dry, I applied the chalkboard paint which was a breeze compared to the magnetic stuff. I painted two coats and waited for a few days before “conditioning” it (which is just rubbing down the whole thing in chalk so it’s easier to erase.) Easy peasy! Luckily there was some spare molding in the basement from when I moved in so that made an easy frame for the whole thing. I love how it doesn’t actually look like I painted the wall itself but hung a big chalkboard instead.

Despite being a bit of pain in the butt I’m very happy with how this turned out even if I have to use super strong magnets and everything is now covered in a fine layer of chalk dust. Ha! I wouldn’t recommend using the magnetic primer if you’re looking for something easy, cheap or very strong but the chalkboard paint is great. It’s super neat to be able to write on my wall!

As well as that little project I also cleaned out the closet in this
room that was home to lots of random things many of which now are at
Goodwill. With that closet clean I was able to move one of my clothing
racks in there which freed up a ton of room and made the room SO much
brighter. I stacked my shoe racks so they take up less floor space and
moved in a table for succulents. I’m so happy with this room now. It’s
amazing how much of a difference little changes like that can make.

I love this little office of mine!
xoxo 

Sources:
magnetic paint
chalkboard paint 
calendar
giant mushroom
giant ice cream cone – vintage
bunting – handmade
hanging planter – target
wisdom tooth print 
humming bird print
shoe rack 

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75 comments

Anonymous May 14, 2013 - 12:32 pm

That's such an amazing office! What's your job or what do you use it for?

The Dainty Squid May 14, 2013 - 4:31 pm

I'm a full time blogger. 🙂

PIM PrettyInMad May 15, 2013 - 8:35 am

Lucky girl <3

Katie May 14, 2013 - 12:41 pm

This looks awesome, even if the process does sound like a bit of a nightmare!

And Katie / Beauty & Lifestyle x

Laura May 14, 2013 - 12:41 pm

i've been wanting to do something like that with magnetic or chalkboard paint or both:-) your office looks lovely, it reminds me of a teacher's corner in an old classroom! especially in the first picture:-) x

elycia May 14, 2013 - 12:45 pm

Oh my gosh yes! Last year I bought magnetic paint and had plans to paint a whole bunch of stuff. I started with the side of my bookshelf and quit after that because it took soooo many coats.
Your chalkboard wall looks great!

Lili B. May 14, 2013 - 12:46 pm

What a stunning workplace!

Sally | Queenie and the Dew blog May 14, 2013 - 12:57 pm

OOh this is pure perfection. Love your little cactus garden! xx

Hi, Im Kelly! May 14, 2013 - 1:02 pm

I LOVE it all!

Sally May 14, 2013 - 1:21 pm

Wow– it looks great! I'm impressed. And I love all the details of your little collections throughout the room!

skunkboy May 14, 2013 - 1:23 pm

I love your workspace and that chalkboard adds so much!

kimberrleigh May 14, 2013 - 2:10 pm

I love it! I would have freaked out too at the smell. As I was leaving my apartment this morning I could have sworn I smelled fire, but everything was unplugged so it was just my dumb brain.

<3
carelessly graceful

The Dainty Squid May 14, 2013 - 4:32 pm

Better to be safe than sorry!

Anikaviro May 14, 2013 - 2:16 pm

Wow, I really like it! Specially the lovely shoes place.

Elizabeth May 14, 2013 - 2:50 pm

Nice room! Question regarding the shoe rack photo…where did you get the orange suede(?) shoes? They look cool.

The Dainty Squid May 14, 2013 - 4:32 pm

I found them at Gabriel Brothers a while back on clearance for $2!

Heather May 14, 2013 - 3:15 pm

I can't believe this is a real office. What cute style you have!

Sammi May 14, 2013 - 3:18 pm

What a wonderful work space! It sounds like the chalkboard was a huge pain, but the result looks awesome. I love all of your little details. What an amazing eye you have! I just did the same thing with my shoe racks too, hehe. And I love the little animal banner! So cute.

xox Sammi
http://www.thesoubrettebrunette.blogspot.com

Thy May 14, 2013 - 3:23 pm

amazing (:

Katie May 14, 2013 - 3:45 pm

Love the layout of your office. I especially like that pink ice cream cone 🙂

Sarah May 14, 2013 - 4:01 pm

I am SO in love with your workspace! It looks so rustic and there are so many interesting things that I feel like you could spend hours just exploring and looking at all the little treasures you've collected. I also love your little succulent garden! They look great.

jessthetics May 14, 2013 - 5:12 pm

This is such a beautiful space. I love that it's not a huge room, but it looks busy and homely without feeling cluttered. And that big mushroom is SO cute! xx

http://www.jessthetics.wordpress.com

Kaitlyn Petry May 14, 2013 - 5:23 pm

Love it! How do you keep your kitties from nibbling your succulents or getting poked?

The Dainty Squid May 15, 2013 - 12:47 pm

They're just not interested in them! I lucked out I guess. 🙂

Ester Durães May 14, 2013 - 5:36 pm

oh my, I just love your work space so much, Kaylah! Can I please please just take my computer with me and go blog next to you? Seriously, it looks like such a beautiful place both to relax and work, I bet you feel super inspired there! I love the little details you've been collecting and the chalboard is way too amazing, it reminds me of primary school! so much fun, love it, I really do!!

Drawing Dreaming

Amanda May 14, 2013 - 5:48 pm

Beautiful! I'd love to work in that room! I've made my office at work as personal as I can, with lots of pictures, prints, and artwork by friends and family…but I don't have any windows! I love all your light. I wonder, if you wanted to make a magnetic chalkboard to hang (rather than directly on the wall), do you think the chalkboard paint would work on a piece of metal? (like maybe those magnetic bulletin boards some people have?)

The Dainty Squid May 15, 2013 - 12:46 pm

I'm not 100% sure but that's a great idea!

bygollymissholly May 14, 2013 - 6:15 pm

Oh my, I just love it!

Dawn May 14, 2013 - 6:31 pm

Room looks amazing! Really good to know that chalk paint works like a dream as I've been considering doing it to my room. Also, I'm dying over the bunting flags with the vintage illustrations!

Also, totally have that same pair of green and floral print platform sandals. I love them!

marysza May 14, 2013 - 7:09 pm

omg what an amazing workplace.. ahh! I could just sit there and look at the walls for the whole day!!! 😀

Cassie May 14, 2013 - 7:29 pm

Your office is so darling. Thanks for the advice about the magnetic paint. I didn't even know there was such a thing! But I'm definitely going to use chalkboard paint soon, it's just a matter of when I get my own place.

What are you going to use the chalkboard for, by the way?
If I were to have it, I would jot down scientific notions and all that jazz, especially if trying to identify species!

The Dainty Squid May 15, 2013 - 12:45 pm

Ya know, I don't really know! I just like the idea of having one. I'll probably just doodle on it. 😀

Becky May 14, 2013 - 8:12 pm

Wow, your office is insanely beautiful! I am immensely jealous!

Becky
xx

Lucy Nation May 14, 2013 - 8:36 pm

Magnetic paint sounds like too much hassle for me. I would have quit long since! Love the touches here, Emily's prints, the polaroids and that magnificent giant ice cream cone! x

Blue Carrot Shop May 14, 2013 - 9:18 pm

I painted an entire wall with magnetic paint in my office and I agree – it was so heavy I could barely lift the roller. After FOUR coats it's still barely magnetic. But I've found the lighter and stronger the magnets the better – rare earth magnets are tiny and work really well. Things still slide off all the time, but I guess it's all part of the "fun" haha.

Michelle May 14, 2013 - 9:42 pm

I want to bring some succulents in but I'm afraid my cat with mess with them. Do your cats ever mess with yours? Lovely work space!

The Dainty Squid May 15, 2013 - 12:45 pm

Nope! They're more interested in plastic bags. Hah! They normally just sniff them when I first bring new ones home but after that they leave them alone.
🙂

Trude May 14, 2013 - 10:06 pm

It looks amazing! The wood frame just makes it.

Kelsey May 14, 2013 - 10:41 pm

I love love LOVE your office space, it looks so inviting and welcoming! The table full of succulents is probably my favorite part! 🙂

Kiera Jean May 15, 2013 - 1:02 am

The hard work payed off, its incredible! xx

Kiera Jean May 15, 2013 - 1:02 am

Now, come to my place and make one for me? Pretty please 🙂 hehe xx

The Dainty Squid May 15, 2013 - 12:44 pm

If you pay me in succulents, I just might…
😉

wonderbread May 15, 2013 - 3:10 am

Super cute! I love your plant table.

Corinne Alexandra May 15, 2013 - 3:10 am

So jealous of your work space! It's amazing. Love those nature pennants.

Jade Sheldon May 15, 2013 - 3:23 am

Your office just makes me happy…

Kelly May 15, 2013 - 3:44 am

I love that giant ice cream cone!!! I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for one of my own! Chalkboard looks amazing! Sorry it was so much work for you and the gas scare must've been horrible! At least you got awesome results!

Zoe Gruss May 15, 2013 - 8:51 am

Your office space is fantastic! Loving your shoes and your enviable collection of washi tape.

Zeitverschwender May 15, 2013 - 10:24 am

Wow your office is AMAZING! I love it!!!

Charlotte May 15, 2013 - 10:32 am

I love your office, it looks so homey and cute! 🙂

pixie May 15, 2013 - 12:19 pm

Aw this looks lovely! If I had smelled gas I would have grabbed my kitty too! Better to be safe than sorry, don't feel embarrassed!

http://pixiesmess.blogspot.co.uk/

mima May 15, 2013 - 1:20 pm

You sure got your priorities straight – cats first, everythig else after, I love that!
About six months ago we had a tiny earthquake (it sure was big to me living on 7th floor and having a fobia!), and I grabbed my bunny, her food and cage and my bag and ran out like a crazy person. My dad mocked me for days, but since then I had little emergency bag prepared – just in case.

Jessica Reyna Brogan May 15, 2013 - 1:24 pm

My husband and I are planning a magnetic chalk wall in our kitchen. He does blacksmithing/welding/metal art, so his first thought was to just paint over a big piece of sheet metal and hang that on the wall. I was still in the magnetic paint camp, but after this post, we're definitely going for the sheet metal!

Jenny May 15, 2013 - 2:18 pm

I bought magnetic paint for my office, planning on doing the same thing you did ( magnetic chalkboard wall) and luckily I googled it before I started. That magnetic paint went straight back to Lowe's lol. I just don't have the time or energy to put work into something that only barely works. I love your office though! It gives me inspiration now that I have an at home job and can decorate however I'd like :)- Jenny

cowbiscuits. May 15, 2013 - 2:25 pm

This is SO awesome!!

I love your cactus collection I got a cactus tattoo yesterday and have my own tiny collection too 🙂 xx

The Dainty Squid May 16, 2013 - 2:00 pm

Awesome!! I've been planning a cactus tattoo for a while now. I can't wait to get it.

Marion May 15, 2013 - 2:51 pm

I love it. And all the details in your office… Well, it'd dreamy!

Rebecca May 15, 2013 - 3:23 pm

your office is so pretty! I love all the knickknacks! 🙂
tr[i]b[e]cca

Katie @ Metrojournal May 15, 2013 - 9:19 pm

Just love the nature bunting! Did you make it yourself or buy it somewhere?
Katie x

http://Www.metrojournal.co.uk | lifestyle blog of a language graduate

The Dainty Squid May 16, 2013 - 2:00 pm

I made it from an old nature book I found at the thrift store.

Patricia Picard May 16, 2013 - 2:42 am

I've heard that chalkboard paint is difficult to use, but mixed with magnetic paint, wow you are courageaous. I have to say that the result is stunning, it seems like a great place to work. Thanks for this inspiring idea!

Olive xox

E M M A ▼ D E E R May 16, 2013 - 2:33 pm

Oh wow, it looks fabulous! I love all the natural elements!
emma deer

luzmaría Alam May 16, 2013 - 5:25 pm

I love your work space!!!

Anonymous May 18, 2013 - 7:34 am

Wow! I totally love your office!! I've been reading your blog for a while but I don't think I've ever read what you do for work? Whatever it is, you have a lovely space for doing it in! 🙂

Sofia Miacis May 19, 2013 - 5:32 pm

Your suculents corner, it's beautiful! So perfectly arranged! I love the hanging vase 🙂

Kisses
Sofia G

Rachel May 19, 2013 - 10:11 pm

So dreamy! You have such a good eye for color and fun :o)

Harri Wren May 21, 2013 - 7:25 pm

Where did you get that holder for your lip balms and washi tape from. I really want something to hold my washi tape.

The Dainty Squid May 21, 2013 - 7:42 pm

I actually picked it up at a thrift store.

Abigail May 23, 2013 - 10:32 pm

Oh my gosh, it turned out terrific! Love it.

Jammin Jessica June 23, 2013 - 4:50 pm

I love how neat your office is. All the little trinkets add such great color to the room! And the magnetic chalkboard is so boss. I'd like to make one now.

jelly andrews July 23, 2013 - 5:09 am

Wow! You really do have an impressive office. And I think it would be very comfortable working with that kind of place. Thanks a lot for sharing these photos.
Lyt.com

Lauren Lazar July 26, 2013 - 2:47 am

This is absolutely adorable! I love the idea, and your office is so cute!

Cheri Lucas August 13, 2013 - 9:21 am

Your office-space is superb, I love theses plants a lot. That has improved the beauty of the office.

denise johnson August 15, 2013 - 3:29 am

I love your office because it is not the usual boring office. Yours seems exciting. It seems great to work in such environment.
Lyt.com

Cody Doll January 5, 2014 - 12:50 am

THis is awesome. I am going to paint with white board paint and I am hoping to do a whole wall for my bf. I can't wait to get an office.

Anouck Plume January 6, 2014 - 8:54 am

Wauw this is such a bueautifull space! It must be so inspiring to work in a place like that. I just love every detail of it, amazing! (I'm especially in love with those flags!)

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