Ikea Hack {Oversized Canvas Chalkboard}

 One day, while roaming the aisles of Ikea, I came across this huge hanging canvas.

I loved the size and saw major project potential!  The price tag of $19.99 was even more appealing so in my cart it went!  I am not going to lie...it sat in the "project pile" for months until one night I broke out the chalkboard paint and made this.... (Ignore my chalk art...I was in a hurry!)

I ended up doing about 4 coats to cover the entire design, but it went pretty quickly!  I painted the wood rods a medium gray color and lightly sanded them for a distressed look.  I even painted the twine that it hangs from and gave it a once over with the sand paper!

I am pretty pleased with this $20 project!  It is hanging on the wall in my daughter's play area...and is the first piece to start a little makeover in that area!  I have a lot to do but I look forward to sharing it with you as I go!

I believe this particular item has been discontinued, but I did find a similar piece if you are interested in making you own canvas chalkboard!

Link: Ikea SILVAKRA hanging picture

I will be back tomorrow with another Break the Bank vs. Cheapskate post...and this one is a good one!  Enjoy your day!

Linking up at: Tatertots and Jello

DIY {Breakfast Nook Shelving}

Some of you have seen our breakfast nook shelves via my Instagram feed, but I thought they were worthy of a formal blog post so here we go!

The minute we signed a contract on this house, I started thinking about what I wanted to do with the massive wall in my breakfast nook.  While I did not know exactly what I wanted to do...I had a good idea of what I did not want to do.  I did not want anything "typical", I wanted something really different. 

I happened to come across an amazing apothecary style shelf and it became my starting point for the wall.  Over time, I just started adding elements (vintage inspired sign and chalkboard) and then decided some open shelving would complete the look.  Our kitchen has double stacked cabinets so I needed something that would make a big impact and balance out the tall cabinets.  So here we are a few months later with a completed kitchen nook wall and I have to admit that I really do love every part of it!  I love that it is very different, that is incorporates different elements and that I can change it up with new accessories when I need a fresh look! 

Here is what we used:

1 pine board cut in half from Lowe's (they will cut it down to the size you need which is a huge help)
4 brackets, I selected these: EKBY BRACKET
Stain, I selected this one: BEHANDLA BLACK
Paint brush (hint: I buy mine at the Dollar Tree and toss them when I am done, stain is hard to rinse out)
Total cost: under $40!

This was the easiest project I have ever done...simply "paint" the stain on (no need to even wipe it down) and let it dry.  Wait at least 24 hours for it to dry completely and install!  I couldn't believe how simple this way!

And now for the big reveal....

 

 

 

A close up of the stain color... although it says "black" it is a very dark brown stain and matches our floors perfectly!

 



 

 

 

I had fun styling the shelves with mint colored glassware, milk bottles and white ceramic goodies.  I love how it adds a pop of color to our neutral kitchen!

 

 

A view of the entire wall:

 

 

The view from our living room:

 

As I mentioned before, I am so pleased with the way they turned out that I already have another shelving project in the works....cannot wait to share it with you!

 

Linking up here: Tatertots and Jello

                            By Stephanie Lynn: Sunday Showcase

                            DIY Showoff