Room for a calender (as in if it's not on the calender, you can't go) and notes (because maternal nagging is a good thing) are what I had on mine.

What do you want on the board? Calender? Notes? pictures? Grocery list? Is it too high or too low depending on the short and tall people in your family? Is there enough room for all of it? Maybe you can tape sections and make adjustments?

I think it's a great idea, and as long as it's large enough for your needs, go for it!

maybe consider making it into an interesting piece of art-- either by doing it in several sections (like a triptych) or a big rectangle with a narrow rectangle below.. or puzzle-like pieces? i can't tell how low it goes, but you might want to consider having the blackboard go lower on the wall-- as it will be small visitors who will be immediately drawn to it. (pardon the pun) maybe make it an oval shape. it just depends on the design elements around it-- but i think you've got a real opportunity here to make it an interesting focal point, since you're having it made for the space. hope you post pix when you are finished! also, if you're still doing renovations, you might want to recess a chalk holder of some sort into the wall??
kawh

Thanks ae2ga and kawh!. I don't need a big cal, but do need to put things up like Tues LAX practice at field x, pickup 5:30. My son is a worrier and he likes to know what is going on when so this I think will be helpful to him.

Definitely grocery list. I need people to write down when they use the last of something from the pantry, like flour. I'll take a pic or more likely remember it being good with visual memories :). I want it magnetic so the kids can leave things like forms I have to fill out up there.

The art work is a great idea. Maybe I can do something with photos along the edge or something. Walls are all closed up but maybe I can make a chalkholder from a small basket or a small rail underneath. I think I will go lower for small visitors. I have some friends with 3 year old twins that I can borrow to check the height! I'll probably need to go higher then too to balance it - maybe to the height of the dining room door on the right?

Now, Trim it white or trim it cherry? I'm leaning toward cherry I think to avoid a dramatic contrast with the black paint.

just throwing this out there...but...
what about making it long and thin instead?
like 24" across by 8' tall?
with a large clock next to it? or a piece of art?

frame it to match your cabinets - they are a great color!

hi again. putting art work around the edges sounds fun-- but i was actually suggesting that the board itself become art work, by cutting it up into pieces that fit together-- or into an interesting shape. i am thinking that a basket may get knocked off if it is a busy pass-through (??) . is there any possible way to stick a magnet to chalk so that it "sticks" to the side of the board? (i've seen teachers do this with their white-board pens.) have fun with your project-- and do post a picture when done!

It's a great idea. And I like celineike's suggestion of making it more narrow and tall. Then you could put art or a framed photo next to it. Right now, as it is taped, it looks really big. I guess I just wonder, how much space do you really need and if there is a ton of space, will it get junky looking if it is all filled or covered with papers? IMHO, don't rush to get it finished, just to be done but give it some thought to make sure it will fit your needs and look great with the rest of the kitchen. You certainly don't want it to look like something you just threw together or after its in use, a junk-drawer on display.

Don't know about sizing, but you can actually get magnetic paint to apply first, then put chalkboard paint on top to get a magnetic chalkboard. It might give you more flexibilty on shape/size.

Hey mich, thanks for the input!

Everything I've read says the magnetic paint doesn't work all that well with the chalkboard paint on top. One person said she needed like 10 coats and things still didn't stick all that well.

I also found that the sheet metal comes in 4x4 sheets at building supply store. I called 2 sheet metal places and neither returned my calls (job too little?). So I figured I'd go buy one of those pre cut sheets and the trim and get DH's input (since he's going to be putting it up anyway).

If it ends up looking too large, we can perform surgery on it and my pantry can have one too :)

I also found someone who had creatively used 1x1 glass tile samples as magnets by gluing magnets to the back of them. I thought that was a clever way to bring some sparkle/pretty colors into the room.

I have used magnetic paint covered in regular paint to make it a "stealth" magnetic wall! It was goopy and difficult to get a smooth finish. The secret is to get special magnets. They are small but very magnetic. My DH gets them for some of his hobby stuff and he orders them online.

I've thought about doing something similar, and am deterred by the dust created by chalk.
Anyone lived with a chalkboard - painted wall and not felt bothered by the chalk dust??
Thanks!

For me, that's a lot of space for chalkboard and not having small kids who would color on it. I like the idea of making it a collection of photos and areas for different functions.

Also, I wouldn't be concerned about future owners. Anything you hang on a wall can be taken down, generally is and will probably be seen as something that won't be there when you move out.

Our Lowe's has 2' x 3' or 3' x 3' sheet metal pieces in the roof flashing and chimney supplies area.

Maybe you could use 2 or 3 of them in a checkerboard pattern alternating with white board or cork.