
I recently went through a phase of buying wooden chopping boards whenever I saw them. Nothing special, just plain ordinary boards found at KMart. I was inspired by photos I had seen of beautifully renovated kitchens with chopping boards hanging stylishly on the walls … very chic and a little rustic. My kitchen is neither chic or stylish and I thought I could inject a little rustic charm with a couple of well placed chopping boards. Only problem … brown boards against yellow melamine cupboards, coupled with a tan splashback looks … well I think you can guess! I decided a chopping board hack was required to help lift and lighten my still original 1989 kitchen. I wanted to play around with using an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) wash to lighten the chopping boards. Here is the before photo … it may be hard to tell, but both boards where coated with a good layer of factory strength polyurethane.
The idea is for the paint wash to seep into the wood grain. As I’ve never been able to completely remove varnish with sandpaper, I decided to use a paint stripper. I didn’t want the polyurethane to act as a barrier, preventing the paint wash from soaking in.
When using a paint stripper, always follow the instructions carefully. Keep it well away from children and pets. Apply in a well ventilated area. Use protective clothing … gloves, eye mask and plastic apron. Cover up arms and legs well because speaking from personal experience … this stuff BURNS!
But the results were great! After scrapping off the varnish with a plastic scraper, I washed the boards under a running tap and allow them to dry thoroughly. For the paint wash I used ASCP in Old White – about 2 parts paint to 1 part water. I painted the wash on with a paint brush. After a minute or two I wiped down with a damp cloth. Remember to watch for drips down the side.
I found applying the paint wash was all about trying out different techniques until I got the look I was after. The less water you use … the more colour build up you’ll get. While a damp cloth will remove more paint, giving a lighter finish. Try a dry cloth if too much paint is being removed.
Allow the wash to dry throughly. Then tape off the bottom section with painter’s tape (about a third of the way up the board) – ensure the tape has no air bubbles etc.
Paint with your desired colour … I choose ASCP Duck Egg for one board and Paris Grey for the second. Using the paint straight from the tin, I painted both sides of the boards and propped them up on a baking paper box to dry.
Carefully remove the painters tape while the paint is still wet. Once the board was completed dry, I lightly sanded with a very fine sandpaper (about 210 grade). The plan was to distress the the board quite a lot, especially the bottom block of colour. However, I was really pleased with the look of the boards after a light sand, that I left them as is.
I haven’t use a finish on the boards (such as a wax or polyurethane) as I quite like the flat finish. Plus … they’re really for decoration and I’m not planning to use them for cutting food.
Have you tried a chopping board hack before? Any ideas you’d like to share?
Also sharing at:
Something to Talk About, Metamorphosis Monday, Made by you Monday, Show and Share, Inspire Me Monday, Show & Tell, Project Inspire{d}, The Gathering Spot, Mod Mix Monday, Bloggers Brag, Metamorphosis Monday, Something to Talk About, Create Link Inspire, Tutorials & Tips, Tweak it Tuesday, One project at a time, Do Tell Tuesday, Motivational Monday, Amaze Me Monday, Hit Me with Your Best Shot, Be Inspired, Talented Tuesday, Wonderful Wednesday, Wow Us Wednesday, Wow Me Wednesday, Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday, Share Your Style, Work It Wednesday, Creative Spark, Create It Thursday, inspiration², Creative Ways, Your Turn to Shine, Handmade Hangout, Grace at Home, Inspiration Gallery, Weekend Retreat, Home Sweet Home, Creativity Unleased, Show Off Friday, Awesome Life Friday, Foodie Friday and Everything Else, Feathered Nest Friday, Catch as Catch Can, The Painted Drawer Inspiration, The Pin Junkie, Freedom Friday, Show and Tell Friday, Link Party Palooza, Best DIY Projects and Recipe Party, A Morning Cup of Joe, Flaunt it Friday, DIY Inspired Party, Fridays Unfolded, Saturday Sparks, Bouquet of Talent, Silver Penny Sunday, Sundays at Home, That DIY Party, Frugal Crafty Home, Monday Funday, Marvelous Monday, Totally Terrific Tuesday, Anti-Procrastination Tuesday, Inspire Me Tuesday, Frugal Friday, The Creative Collection, Found & Foraged, June Before and After, You’re Going to Love it June,
Those look great! What a good idea! I think I’ll try It!
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Thank you 😀
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Great idea! Thanks for linking up! #bloggersbrag
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Thank you 😀
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Cute — I like them a lot! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you 😀
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Jane, I have been collecting boards too! This is such a great idea that I just have to try it!
Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with me each week for Something to Talk Anout!
K
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Great party … I always enjoy linking up each week. Thanks for stopping by 😀
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Thank you for joining our Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday Link Party, this is such a great idea, so simple but yet effective! Have a great day, co-host Evija @Fromevijawithlove
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Thank you 😀 This was a great simple project I could finish in an afternoon.
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Love this idea…it’s easy and adds a graphic punch to the kitchen. Thanks for lending your craftiness to Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday!
Shellie
http://www.thefabjourney.com
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Thank you 😀
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Those look great. What do you plan to use them for? Found your awesome post at Show it off Friday
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Thank you 😀 These are purely decorative, I’ve got them displayed in my Kitchen at the moment. Thanks for stopping by 😀
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Great project, Jane! I have a little obsession with cutting boards and finding things to use them for, so this is something that I’ll have to try!
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Thank you 😀Yep … I have quite a collection too! Thanks for stopping by!
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These cutting boards look great! Please come share your blog posts over at the Home Matters Linky Party! We’d love to have you for a visit. The Door is OPEN. http://lifewithlorelai.com/2015/05/21/home-matters-linky-party-38/ 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
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Thank you 😀 Will pop over and link up … thanks for the invite!
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Such a great idea!
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
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Thanks for stopping by 😀
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What a great re-purpose! So beautiful! Thanks so much for taking the time to link up with us over at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend, and that we see you again this Friday! Feel free to bring a friend 🙂
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Thank you 😀 will definitely come and party again next week!
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What a great idea! They truly look like pieces of art! Thank you for sharing at the Talented Tuesday Link Party – I hope to see you back again this week! 🙂
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Thank you 😀 Great party, I’ll definitely visit again!
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