You may remember Carla from when we helped her transform her kitchen with paint and a few simple updates. When she sent over her clever DIY chalkboard wall calendar project, we knew it was too good not to share. Below is her note about the project and how she brought the idea to life in her home.
I had to pass along our latest update – we made a chalkboard wall calendar in our kitchen! We were inspired by Martha Stewart’s chalkboard wall calendar idea and thought a similar design would be perfect for our space. To my surprise, the project was fairly simple. All you need is black chalkboard paint for a base, a few foam brushes, white paint (we already had some from our kitchen cabinet project), unsanded tile grout, plenty of painter’s tape, and something like a shoebox lid to mix paint in. It felt resourceful and fun! Her directions on how to make custom-color chalkboard paint were straightforward and easy to follow, and we even managed to create the different shaded blocks successfully. Seeing a previous post about someone else’s chalkboard-painted door was a big help while we were figuring everything out, so I wanted to share our photos. Thanks for keeping such an inspiring blog, and congrats again on your baby girl news!! —Carla
Carla began by preparing the wall and applying black chalkboard paint as a durable base layer. Using a solid dark base helps the chalk colors stand out and creates a consistent surface for drawing grid lines and lettering. When you’re working on a kitchen wall that will be used frequently, starting with a tough, smooth foundation makes future touch-ups much easier.
The next step involved masking off the calendar grid with painter’s tape to keep crisp lines between the months and individual day squares. Carla used wide strips of painter’s tape to outline uniform blocks, which allowed her to create a tidy, functional grid. Taking the time to measure and tape carefully pays off: once the tape is removed, the clean edges really elevate the finished calendar and give it a professional look.
For the colorful calendar squares, Carla mixed custom chalkboard paint colors. Mixing small batches in a shallow container like a shoebox lid made it easy to experiment with shades and test them on a sample board before painting the wall. She combined chalkboard paint with small amounts of white paint and a touch of unsanded tile grout to achieve the right consistency and finish. The grout helps the paint dry with a slight texture that accepts chalk well, and mixing allowed her to create subtle variations in tone across the calendar squares.
Working in stages, she applied each color carefully to the taped-off sections, letting the paint dry between coats to avoid bleeding under the tape. After the paint was fully dry, she removed the tape to reveal crisp, colorful blocks against the black chalkboard base. The contrast between the deep black background and the softer colored squares gives the calendar visual interest while keeping it highly functional for everyday scheduling.
The final result is a stylish, practical wall calendar that adds personality to the kitchen and keeps the household organized. The colored blocks make it easier to separate categories or family members at a glance, and the chalkboard surface means the calendar can be updated easily week to week. Beyond its utility, the calendar doubles as a decorative feature that complements the room’s decor.
We love how Carla used simple, budget-friendly materials—chalkboard paint, painter’s tape, a few brushes, and a mixing container—to craft a calendar that looks custom and cohesive. Her step-by-step approach shows that thoughtful planning and a little patience can turn a plain wall into an attractive, functional centerpiece. Thanks to Carla for sharing her process and photos. Who else is feeling inspired to try a DIY chalkboard wall calendar after seeing this project?