Ever feel like you have a wall in your home, or maybe an entire room that feels so blah? Well there are still a couple of those in my house…but that’s also because I can’t ever keep anything the same too long…I definitely have Decorating A-D-D.
Anyhow…that is exactly what was going on in my kitchen. The Kitchen definitely has come a long way, and you can read about our $400 Kitchen Makeover here, but where I had added a coffee nook in the far side of our Kitchen…it was feeling pretty boring. Though I love the idea of having the coffee nook which also helps since we have very very little counter space, I felt unsatisfied with the way the wall looked all together. I think it was the color, and the mugs, and the accessories on the shelf ; that were starting to bore me…and I am still anxious to get a new table (since I have been using a sewing machine table from the 70’s). Well, it all hit me when I was on vacation and we stopped at The Paris Market in Savannah, Georgia. If you are ever in Savannah this is a must see store! Well, instead of me just describing their coffee bar let me just share that picture here one more time.
I mean the subway tile, the marble, and the contrast with that gorgeous black cabinet!
My Kitchen checklist
Subway tile…check!
marble…in my dreams
Black contrast with the white…hmmm now I’m getting an idea!
Though I have subway tile in my kitchen…having the gorgeous subway tile all the way up the wall, I would die for! Believe me I would, but not with my floors. Let’s just say bored is not the word…disgusted is more like it. If you have ever seen my floors in any of my pictures that’s because I did not edit the picture good enough lol. I seriously try to avoid showing my kitchen floors to the world because I flat out…hate them! They are builder grade white (use to be white) tiles with dark ugly grout and square grid pattern. Every little crumb shows up on them and I can not even tell you how many times a day I have to clean them. It has come to the point that if someone handed me money to do one thing in my entire house those floors would be on the very top of my list.
I know I sound like an ungrateful snob right? I really don’t mean it, but we all have something in our house that we absolutely can not stand and those floors are it for me. Are we going to replace them? I really don’t know…it’s probably a project bigger than the hubby and I can handle on our own so if we can’t DIY we probably just have to put that idea a side for a while.
So back to that gorgeous inspiration! The black contrast just makes this entire photo delicious! delicious? yes delicious….good design= delicious in my book! So it hit me…how about a black wall! I know it’s not that original, but after having about 3 chalkboards in my house already, doing an entire chalkboard wall never seemed like something I would do. I felt I would be over doing the chalkboard thing and it would be too much. Until I got it in my head and it wasn’t going away and then I couldn’t sleep at night anymore and I had to just go for it. Luckily, I still had some left over chalkboard paint in my garage and was able to save money and test it out…kinda for free. and so I did…
Here is the BEFORE
And the AFTER
Well, can I tell you I love it! Do I feel over done with the chalkboards, slightly, but  is it all worth it….yes! The wall now pops completely! I mean something my husband kept staring at when he got home from work that day, and the next day. Its funny I think I get more excited when my husband gawks at my DIY projects as I do when he does a double take at me when I’m all dressed up.
So with some new accessories, of course, the wall feels completely new and completely alive. It was just the right makeover to do to make a dramatic difference. I say if you’re looking for that drama go dark! As long as it’s not an entire room…dark accents seem to be my thing. Dark doors, Dark Wainscot, Dark Backdrop to shelving, and now an entire dark wall. You know what else I’m loving dark window trim…oh if I could pull that off!
 
So now the coffee nook area is not all complete. I do have a few more ideas I’d like to get to, to make this a finished accent wall. I especially want to still do a new table…I am even considered building custom open shelving. What do you all think? Though the gray colored sewing machine table looks better now than it did before I still would love something new…something DIY!
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26 Responses
I love it! What a difference. It really pops! And, what a beautiful coffee bar you used as your inspiration! I have a BLACK kitchen floor, Oh.Em.Gee the crumbs!
Thanks Sara! Oh yea black is just as annoying lol
Oh girl, I love this! It’s looks so amazing!! It’s perfect for that wall.
Thank you Amanda!
Okay, I was skeptical when I started reading. BUT, I totally get the idea thing keeping you awake at night because that happens to me all the time. AND, I think it is absolutely GORGEOUS!! It made such an impact in the space! I would have had to do it also, even though an entire wall intimidates me like crazy! So, how do you keep the kids from writing on it?! 😉 Those floors in The Paris Market are exquisite!!
Benita recently posted…Smoky Mountain Cawnbread….
Thank you Benita! The kids have no idea it’s a chalkboard wall lol. They think it’s just black haha Couldn’t tell them.
I love it Deb! I have been considering painting a wall in my kitchen/dinning area for awhile. I’m just so afraid it will suck the light out of a dark corner. But yours reminds me of all the reasons why I love those accent walls. we would love to have you stop by and share at our Dream. Create. Inspire. Link! Party tonight starting at 7pm CST. I really hope we’ll see you there!
Cat
Cat @ Pocketful of Posies recently posted…Finding My Style: The Eureka Moment
Thank you so much Cat! Yes, I agree the dark wall sucking the light out of everything. My house is so dark too…so that was a bit scary, but it adds so much drama that it works and the rest o the kitchen is painted a bright color.
I love what you have done but most of all I love the light over the table, the black chandelier with the oil lamp shades. Is it electric and where did you get it from. Thanks keep up the good work
Thanks so much Jan! Believe it or not…that light fixture was here when we moved in. It had ugly glass cover over it and it was all honey oak color. It was terrible! That was a non-blogging project (kicking myself) that I had done like week 2 of moving in. Oh an it is definitely electric!
Dang girl, that inspiration pic is EVERYTHING. So far I love what you have done in your kitchen. I am loving the matte look on chalk paint—it is has such a cool factor! Someday I too will have a black wall.
Jessica recently posted…Adding Decorative Nailheads to a Sofa
Thanks Jessica! I have to say it’s pretty cool to have a black wall in your hosue!
Looks amazing! I love a black wall, and chalkboard is all the better!
Jen @ Fresh Crush recently posted…DIY a Giant Slip n’ Slide
Thanks Jen!
I love the chalkboard wall. It looks like so much fun and not too dark. Good job.
Kelley recently posted…I Did It Again – Flat Book Shelf #2
Thank you Kelley! It’s a great addition to the kitchen.
That wall is perfection! I’ll love black walls until the day I die, so overdo it with my blessing! haha
Will be featuring you on my FB page a little later today. 🙂 Thanks for linking up to Party Junk!
Funky Junk Interiors recently posted…PJ 294 – an upcycled link party
OH yay thank you so much Donna! Made my day : )
You knocked this out of the park, Deb!!!! I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m a sucker for contrast too. It adds so much drama but it’s still so classic. I have got to find that awesome coffee bar in Savannah next time I’m there.
Lauren recently posted…DIY Board and Batten Reveal + Glidden Review & Giveaway!
Thanks Lauren! Yes, contrast is the way to go can’t escape my favorite two colors black and white!
Definitely pumped up the drama! I love it. Its so chic and still feels welcoming.
Stephanie @ Casa Watkins recently posted…Put Your Wallet Away and Create A Fall Vignette With Items in Your Home
Thanks Steph!
I love the chalkboard wall! It really gives depth and character to the entire space. I swear, I wish I had a big wall in my kitchen to do a big chalkboard wall. I have these stupid niches that just mess with my flow. 😉 I’m seriously thinking about taking one of them out to make the wall a flat space for an awesome chalkboard wall. You have my wheels turning now….
Jenny@EvolutionofStyle recently posted…An Indigo Desk Redo
oooh sounds great! Love having it…such added drama!
It is amazing what a difference just painting that wall made!! Now I need to find a wall to paint with chalkboard paint!!
Caitlin @ The Delighted Dwelling recently posted…Quick Fix – Lattice Trim
Thanks so much Caitlin! I agree…so much drama added to one wall. I hope you do, you’ll love looking at over and over again in your house.