my only experience is with chalk board paint, and I wasn't thrilled with it.

i've also used the metalic paint for magnetic boards under the chauk paint, and that didn't work at all.

Thanks Brenda. In that case, I might rethink and go with pre painted chalkboard like I have now. But to get the size I'll have to join two, doable but fiddly. I could get a small decal as a test.

You can turn any paint color into chalkboard paint by adding unsanded tile grout. Check out Martha Stewart's instructions here:

http://www.marthastewart.com/271574/custom-color-chalkboard-paint#ixzz13ciawbjO

I think it would be cool instead of using framing details, why not go for an actual frame? You could even spray paint it any color you wanted. Or even a collage of "chalkboard" frames Check out these options on Etsy:

http://www.etsy.com/search/vintage/home_decor?q=frame&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US&original_query=2

I have sort of a barn door in my kitchen that I've painted with blackboard paint, needs a couple of coats. and it works perfectly.
Friends of mine have painted their kitchen wall with magnetic paint with a top coat of normal paint and that works well too.

Blackboard paint works well, but it does take two coats. That is the bargain way to go - buy the rustoleum - stick with a good quality chalkboard paint and that will make a difference.

Isn't blackboard and chalkboard the same thing?

If the surface is VERY smooth, several coats are applied and cures, the chalkboard paint should work just fine .I would not order it from Home Depot but try Ben Moore or Sherwin Williams.

I used the martha stewart formula, and love my chalkboard calendar.

Thanks all for your advice. I'm going to investigate the collage of several frames to make a large enough area for our busy week. Different sizes and frame styles could make it interesting if all painted white. Also, an old door with panels hung horizontally would have a similar effect. Thanks for helping me think outside the box and get creative! I'll post photo when done ( may take a few weeks though).

The decals are the pits. They look nice but don't take chalk well at all. I have done chalkboard paint in the past on a large area and it worked great.

I used to have a chalkboard but off many years now have used a whiteboard. No messy chalk dust.

Check out this chalkboard IDEABOOK...
https://www.houzz.com/magazine/not-just-for-kids-cool-chalkboard-walls-stsetivw-vs~2784

Have you thought of adding one to each side with concealed hinges if room allows you? That way you would have 5 boards!

Thanks Houzzers for your ideas. I won't go with decals now. That was good advice. I agree white boards are cleaner but I still love the look of a chalkboard. Kids leave the lids off whiteboard pens at the most inconvenient of times. Loved the ideas book and I am now considering painting the whole wall in the hallway next to the kitchen. I have started collecting frames just from odd ones around the house. I'll look at second hand shops this week. I need 5: shopping, messages, to do, week planner and a pin board. Then I'll paint white and look at placement.

We use preprinted decals (bought from etsy) with headings, then use chalk pens (like the restaurant menu ones) to avoid dust. They wipe off readily using cheap baby wipes. If you're worried about kids leaving the caps off, maybe use them only for headings, and let them chalk the lists themselves? They work well for framing certain parts of big chalkboards, when you do sublists, and for decorating with colour around important things. By the way, to keep the room looking uncluttered I put the chalkboard decals on the inside of my kitchen cupboards. Works best on the ones you open 50 times a day!

Hi - why not have an iPad incorporated in the blackboard - so you can add your shopping list and reminder straight onto that and let it back up/ sync with your family's phones - that way your 'blackboard' gets to go everywhere with you and with each member of the family too !?!!
Then just use the real blackboard for artistic value only - and maybe the odd, cute message !

Wow, OnePlan! What a great idea. So... Knightrider futuristic... but then again, I'm technologically challenged. My mobile phone doesn't even take pictures :-D

Here are images of my working calendar. Its big enough for 3 months+, the squares 3in x 4 in, and we love it. A bit of dust, but not bad. I can read it from across the room, which was important to me.

Love oneplan's idea, chalk dust is pretty messy, wouldn't want to walk through the hall dragging it back and forth.

I personally find that large chalkboards look very messy. Have you ever thought of using a centrally located IPAD? They work great for organizers without the messy look :)

I like this this obelisk of Chalk and books. In a way it is a monument to expression and Ideas.

I've used both the stickers and the paint. I prefer the paint—you can make it as large as needed and no seams. The paint works fine but you need to do 3 or more coats.

I had a green chalkboard (not great quality) and painted over it with 2 coats of Rustoleum Chalkboard Paint (black). It is nicer now, and the paint has held up wonderfully.

Benjamin Moore has a great tintable chalkboard paint that can be made in any color.

Here is a photo of our 5'x8' cheery kitchen wall in Benjamin Moore 'hot spice'.

Thanks again Houzzers. One plan I do have an iPad ( working on it now) and I love it but probably don't use it to capacity though. I tend to use my iPhone calendar, reminders and notes more though. It's always in my pocket. the blackboards would allow everyone esp. my kids constant visual access to reminders etc. We are very much"out of sight, out of mind " people. The chalkboard pen is excellent. I haven't in my teaching years ever used one so I'm going to check it out. I don't think we can get Benjamin Moore paint in Australia and I've never heard of other colours for chalkboard paint but will investigate. The red wall was amazing! Again good advice on the decals. I was just about to order them before this post so Houz has saved me some money. Glad I'm not the only one that uses chalkboards etc to keep life on track!

Just another comment on chalk pens- they come in various 'qualities', some have nibs that get fuzzy too quickly, some are so intense they can take a bit of work to remove (I reccommend Eco glass cleaning spray on decals). Try a few different brands until you find one you like, there are many on eBay. Cheers

Thanks Christine for chalk pen comment. I didnt even know they existed and no nothing about brands. I'm still working on my frame collection to paint white and then I'll start my chalk pen road tests. Cheers

I too switched from chalk to erasable paint pen markers. I use them in my hallway to keep my life on track... If that is possible.....

I wonder if edding as a brand is available for you?