Cassie Bustamante

living an ordinary life extraordinarily

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Chalkboard Bookcase (Or What’s Black and Green and Written All over)

June 25, 2012 by Cassie 36 Comments

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I am back home safely after a long drive with the kiddos yesterday.  We all survived, so that is a plus!  And I was happy to be reunited with my pups.  And Chris, too, I guess. πŸ˜‰  I will be here for a couple of days, and then have a friend visiting for the remainder of the week, so again my apologies if I disappear.  And again, hope to share Haven pics with you soon.

Speaking of which, I did not attend the “I like big blogs” class at Haven, but I heard that one of the tips offered was to title your post exactly what it was, rather than doing a silly or fun title for your SEO (search engine optimization).  Therefore, you have the “Chalkboard Bookcase” title, and in parentheses, what I would title it.  πŸ™‚  I am going to stick with my fun titles, but thought I would pass on that nugget of information.

I got this hard rock maple bookcase off of craigslist recently and loved its simple shape and sweet details.  It’s hard to find cute inexpensive bookcases these days!

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I painted it with a playroom in mind and wanted to go with a fun gender neutral color.  I chose “Emerald Isle” by Benjamin Moore in Aura satin finish (I had it on hand).  I did not have much left so I thought a tinted primer would be great.  Well, I am cheap with my paint these days, so I made some DIY chalk paint in a spring green that would work well as a tinted primer.  I sanded the entire piece lightly and then gave two coats of the DIY chalk paint and 2 coats of the Emerald Isle to all but the backing.  I knew I wanted to use chalkboard paint on the backing.  I used an angled brush and applied two coats of Rustoleum’s brush on chalkboard paint.  I allowed it to dry for an entire day, and then wrote all over the backing, wiped it off, and then wrote on it again to take these pictures.

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What?  You have’t met a chicken that reads?  Well this one can.

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I didn’t distress this one.  Most likely it will end up in a child’s room and be naturally distressed over time! πŸ˜‰

Also, I am over at Denise’s fabulous blog, The Painted Home, sharing what’s in my beach bag this summer!  Check it out (it will be posted at 7:22 am).  And while you are there, check out Denise’s gorgeous home!
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What I Took Home from Haven »

Comments

  1. Sarah AKA The Thriftress says

    June 25, 2012 at 10:31 am

    Chickens are smarter than we think. They can totally read! πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  2. Storywood Designs says

    June 25, 2012 at 11:26 am

    You’re right – it’s impossible to find good solid wood bookcases these days. I’m on the hunt for one for my son’s room. Love the green with the chalkboard paint.

    PS: I like your creative titles!

    Reply
  3. Our Pinteresting Family says

    June 25, 2012 at 11:26 am

    Love the color and your funny post title. I like the funny ones…maybe that it because I can never come up with any..lol. Megan

    Reply
  4. Anne @ Hello Newmans says

    June 25, 2012 at 11:36 am

    so cute! Love the color πŸ™‚ great find!

    Reply
  5. Lisa at Shine Your Light says

    June 25, 2012 at 11:49 am

    As usual the color is so pretty, and love the chalkboard on the back!

    Reply
  6. Lisa @ Before Meets After says

    June 25, 2012 at 11:52 am

    oh you rebel…not naming your post correctly so you can maximize your SEO! hehe! Takes all the fun out of it! I like your creative titles and that’s so you. Isn’t that another one of the “rules”??

    Reply
  7. Fiona, LilyfieldLife says

    June 25, 2012 at 11:53 am

    hi Cassie – i think the reason they say to title your blog post like that is for SEO. So it comes up in the URL. you can always title it Chalkboard bookcase and then once you’ve published it go back in and change your title. then your url is chalkboard book case and it will rank higher in google searches but you can then have whatever title you want.
    makes sense?
    love the book case BTW , gorgeous shape and paint job
    cheers Fiona

    Reply
  8. Between Blue and Yellow says

    June 25, 2012 at 11:58 am

    That is the same shelf that is used as Chris’ bedside table!

    Reply
  9. Andrea says

    June 25, 2012 at 12:28 pm

    That green color is the bomb! You’re right, perfect for a kid’s room or playroom.

    Reply
  10. Chrissie says

    June 25, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    Super cute! Chalkboard paint is always fun :):)

    Reply
  11. [email protected] says

    June 25, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    You know I love this one! I’ve seen reading chickens before…don’t let anyone tell you differently!

    Reply
  12. pam {simple details} says

    June 25, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    I’m never sure what title to use, I’ve heard pros suggest cathchy titles attract more readers??? Whichever, your bookcase is too fun!

    Reply
  13. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    June 25, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    I have totally met chickens who read. And I’m going to struggle with the boring SEO titles, I heart a quirky post title, too. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  14. Bliss says

    June 25, 2012 at 1:33 pm

    What’s black and green and cute all over? Your bookshelf. And I’m in big trouble with no good post names. Obviously the person that wrote that rule never saw the best most appropriate and awesome title for my Hankie Noodle Dandy! Actually, it was hankies, and it was a noodle, and it was 4th of July dandy, so maybe I didn’t break a rule?

    ~Bliss~

    Reply
  15. McKae @ Kaes Corner Design says

    June 25, 2012 at 2:03 pm

    So cute! I love the color, chalkboard paint is so fun!

    Reply
  16. Starr @ The Kiefer Cottage says

    June 25, 2012 at 2:10 pm

    Your blog is pretty big, so you don’t have to worry about SEO, right?

    I get hits on my blog for keywords such as “bad taste” or “ugly kitchen”–whoohoo!!

    Love the bookcase. I need about dozen of those right now and all I see are pressboard junk or really expensive stuff. Might just have to build them myself (or get my husband to do it).

    Reply
  17. The Bold Abode says

    June 25, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    I’m green this morning, but not the cute bookcase kind! Fighting Morgans stomach bug…yuk.

    I’ve read that about the titles and I try to find a balance but it’s hard, b/c I just can’t be that boring. Oh well…glad to see I’m not the only one!

    I like big blogs, but I like fun blogs more…

    Reply
  18. [email protected] Repurposed Life says

    June 25, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    what a sweet little bookcase Cassie! I love the color, and I’m not usually a fan of green. πŸ™‚
    Ohh, your poor mother in law. I hope that all goes well and she gets her ankle taken care of today!

    It was great to meet you in Atlanta. I wish we had more time to talk. I would say, get to know each other better…but I already feel like we know each other so well! πŸ™‚
    gail

    Reply
  19. A Vintage Vine says

    June 25, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    So glad you r home safely! Cute bookcases, I love anything chalkboard…enjoy your friend.

    Reply
  20. { The Painted Home } says

    June 25, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    love the chalkboard and the chicken! Thanks so much for guest posting today!
    looking forward to your Haven round up.
    d e n i s e

    Reply
  21. Hetty says

    June 25, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    Very, very cute! Love this shade of green, Cassie.

    Reply
  22. Bella says

    June 25, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    GREAT color! I am green with envy πŸ™‚
    Now why can’t I find cute little bookcases like this? Glad your back!

    Reply
  23. Maury Kilgo says

    June 25, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    I miss you!!! Can you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE move to SC? I’m so glad you’re home safe and I bet you squeezed the junk out of that puppy when you got home after the little scare.

    Love the bookshelf! What a fun idea to paint the inside with chalkpaint. You’re brilliant. Consider the moving thing, k?

    Reply
  24. {Hi Sugarplum!} says

    June 25, 2012 at 4:00 pm

    I love that shade of green…great makeover!!!

    Reply
  25. Ali Richardson says

    June 25, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    I super LOVE it!!! Can I have it?? Pretty pleasey??!!

    Reply
  26. Dear Emmeline says

    June 25, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    another super cute one! πŸ˜‰ not surprised! Thanks for the blog title tip pass along. I’m not always one to use a creative title but it’s good to know that if I want to I should probably still include a subtitle!

    Reply
  27. Alyssa says

    June 25, 2012 at 4:56 pm

    Very cute! The color just pops! You are a master at chicken art πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  28. simplyvonne says

    June 25, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    great find on Craigslist! and love the color you painted too! I agree that it’s really hard to find inexpensive bookcases on Craigslist now.

    Reply
  29. Sonya Sosa says

    June 25, 2012 at 6:11 pm

    Possibilities are endless with chalkboard paint. What a great idea, super duper love!

    Reply
  30. Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says

    June 25, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    Great find. And I love that green you chose!

    Reply
  31. c.w.frosting says

    June 26, 2012 at 12:02 am

    Creative & sneaky way to get a chalkboard in there!! Another great piece. Will be pinning for future reference.

    Reply
  32. Jamie says

    June 26, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    Cute idea! I have a simple white shelf with the children’s games/puzzles on it. I may have to copy this idea for that one.

    Reply
  33. Jamie says

    June 27, 2012 at 1:50 am

    Love the reading chicken πŸ™‚ How do you come up with this stuff???

    Reply
  34. EllenaElizabeth says

    June 27, 2012 at 9:41 am

    I love that green! As a green loving girl, I applaud you!

    Reply
  35. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    June 27, 2012 at 10:37 am

    Love that shade of green and the cute chalkboard! We had so many people ask about bookcases at our last tag sale, but I don’t think any of us have found a single one.

    Reply
  36. Rory Fugerson says

    July 23, 2012 at 3:44 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.Β  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.Β  We all get one chance at this life,Β and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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