I am working on a chalkboard for Greta’s room this week! I really wanted something that we can hang on the wall rather than painting the wall directly. Chalkboard walls in interiors have been around for a decade or more in the design world and they have come a long way, but chalkboards have been around, well, a lot longer. While you can now make chalkboard paint in, literally, any color you want (whether you make it yourself or buy it), for Greta’s room I want to stick with the classics: black or green.
This weekend, I found inspiration in such a funny place. We were in Utah for a wedding and reunion with my dear friend and stopped at Cubby’s for lunch (get the Tri-tip sandwich–cali style!) and I found myself completely enamored with the decor, especially the green chalkboard walls. It felt so fresh!
So now I am leaning toward a green chalkboard for her room–and feeling really excited about the layer of color it will add. I’ll definitely be back with those details soon.
I was telling my mom that I leaning toward a vintage green chalkboard look and she adamant that the real vintage would be black. Haha! The internal battle of which really feels more classic: green or black chalkboards continues to stump me. I like both looks! I suppose real slate blackboards were the original, right? But green has that vintage charm. What say ye? Which is more classic looking and would you hang a black or green chalkboard in your casa?
What do you think?
Previous Post
Next Post
Semihandmade
Our wood grain Shaker cabinet fronts were designed for busy, high-traffic homes like ours. Clad with durable textured thermofoils, this line is compatible with Sektion, Akurum, Godmorgon, and Besta cabinets from IKEA. It's the perfect, practical way to add the warmth of wood to all the rooms of your home.
Collaborations
learn more
next
Loloi
We have teamed up with Loloi to create a line of rugs that are as affordable as they are beautiful. This collection houses a great mix of traditional and modern rugs, in cottage-y colorways, as well as vintage-inspired beauties that you’ll want to roll out in every room.
Collaborations
learn more
next
STUGA
We partnered with Stuga on a line of hardwood floors — The Ingrid is really livable, and the color is very neutral. It doesn’t lean warm or cool, it’s that just right in-between. We have really loved putting it everywhere in our house. It’s the best jumping-off point for design, no matter your interior style. In addition to being beautiful, Ingrid is really durable — we have three kids, and we always have a home construction project going on. Ingrid stands up to it all.
Collaborations
learn more
next
SHop all
What We're Right Now
What We're Right Now
Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop.
Loving
Portfolio
Design
Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
BROWSE BY CATEGORY
let's break this thing up
We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
Projects
Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
read more
read more
read more
02
01
03
looking for inspiration?
We recently painted our study a dark, moody green color. This is after we first painted it a muddy green, then repainted it a blue-gray. I guess what they say is true; third time’s a charm! The journey was worth it, though, because I’m so in love with this glossy green in contrast with the […]
SEARCH THE BLOG
We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?
looking for something?
find stuff like:
Can We Send You Our Love Letter?
Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!
Follow Along on Instagram
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
@chrislovesjulia
Links
Get Around
Make yourself right at home
Portfolio
Design
Casual Friday
Projects
Lifestyle
Gift Guides
All Posts
Shop
I painted the chalkboards in my kindergarten classroom black. It was shiny and beautiful. Then I seasoned it, and now it is grey and dingy looking. Is there a way to get the shiny black look to stay????
I love the green. I got a BA in math, my green board was my work it out board before it went on paper. I got this board before High School so it was before 1990. It was something out of a classroom which switched to blackboards. Mine had no lines on it though. It only had the lines which were in my mind.
I know I am late commenting, but the green feels fresh again. And the green and pink combo remind me of that incredible room that Mandy did for her niece…
http://www.vintagerevivals.com/2014/04/macies-boho-bedroom-makeover-reveal.html
I’m sure whatever you decide will be awesome. Keep up the great work :)
Now, as a follow up question: Would you rather a blackboard or a whiteboard?
http://www.rrrather.com/view/76726
spoiler alert: 76% prefer whiteboards to blackboards.
I kinda love the pic of the collage of them, i think there is 4 or 5 in pic, maybe you could do that and have black and green ones!!! Its a win win!!:-)
Go with the green! It will provide some interest and depth to the pink walls in Greta’s room!!!
When my kids were small I scored a large green vintage chalkboard from a school. Loved the color! Then years later I painted one side black. I now have the best of both options. P.S. my kids are grown now an on the “green” side I still have their writing of when they were little. I will never erase, an treasure it that much more:)
That is the most special thing ever. Amazing.
I like green! It seems like a mixed bag on the comments, but to me green seems so vintage! Maybe because so many people do black now? Also, I think I remember there being a hint if some green in her duvet? I feel like black might just be a bit too much for this room… I’m green all the way!
Yes! Her duvet and sheets have a dark green in them.
I was thinking the green too to tie in her blanket.
What color was Greta want? I’d go with whatever looks best in her room. I prefer the black though!
Typo- Meant to say what does Greta want! :)
Which does Greta prefer? I would leave it up to her. If you offer her a choice between just green or black you already know you like both of those options.
My husband designed a new science center at a university a few years ago. Interestingly, the upper level math and science professors all hated the idea of installing smart boards or other modern replacements for chalkboards. They insisted on actual slate chalkboards, which are very expensive, hard to find, and extremely heavy. But they were all adamant that these were essential to their work.
Haha. We get that a lot. “Let Greta pick.” Greta is kind of at the age where if you said, “Do you want Black or Green?” She’s say “uhh, green.” And then 5 seconds later if you asked the same question, but in the reversed order, she’d say black. She did really want pink walls and so far she is loving how things are coming together, so I better just trust my gut.
I think either one will be great. And if you hate it? Paint over it with the other color!
I don’t personally like the shade of green used for chalkboards, my vote is black all the way but obviously choose what you love and I have a feeling you will love the greenboard.
I think your mom is right that black is more “authentic”…consider the term “blackboard”. I think the original boards used in early schoolrooms were actually small tablets made of dark slate framed in wood (to cover the sharp edges). I was under the impression that green chalkboards didn’t really start being produced until about the 60s, except that someone above mentioned they have some from the 20s. It makes me wonder if the chalkboard insert part was original to the tablet. I love antiques and wish I could take a look at them!
Anyhow, I still think that black=authentic vintage and green=retro vintage.
I personally prefer the look of blackboards–I like the contrast with the chalk and how colored chalk really pops on the dark background. Plus, it works no matter what your color scheme. Still, for a kids room, I think you can’t go wrong with a brighter color. I think green would look great as well. Some people are mentioning it might clash with the pink, but it just makes me think of how you never consider a pink flower clashing with itself or the surrounding grasses/bushes. If you like green, go for it.
I love them both. I normally prefer black in any “what color?” scenario, but the green looks great too. You always see black chalkboards around people’s houses so I think the green would be unexpected.
You know I DO like the unexpected.
Black. Most definitely black. The chalkboards I grew up with were all black and I agree that it allows for more color coordination in the room, but aside from that black is what is classic for me. Good luck with this decision!
My mother was a school teacher and once was offered a ton of antiques from an attic of an old school in Salt Lake City they were tearing down. She took a bunch of old chairs, desks, and green slate boards that have dates on the back from the 1910’s-20’s. Because of my memories drawing on those slate boards with chalk, I see green as old and antique. I don’t think you can go wrong either way, but I do like the idea of green with pink!
Wow!!!!!
Dark green with light pink and gold touches? That’s like the cutest and preppiest combo ever. Definitely go with green!
I vote black! I think it’ll be easier to layer other pieces in the room with aaaand non-white chalk colours would show better :)
I would choose black. That shade of green doesn’t go with the pink walls.
Pick green! I think it goes with the “school room” feel and of course as others have mention, green + pink = adorable!
I love the old classic black :) All the chalk colors would show up better.
From a design standpoint, I’d go with black. It offers more flexibility with color coordination elsewhere in the room. But I remember fondly the green chalkboards of my school days!
I’m feeling the green for sure
Totally the green, I have a small black one in my daughter’s room and it is a sucker of light! Plus in mean who doesn’t love pink and green :)
I would go with the classic black! I think that colored chalk would show up better on the black background. All of i the chalkboards in my old grade school were green though!
Can’t get over the tall green chalkboard in that brown wood frame!
Cubby’s….I miss you. and I miss YOU too!
Florida needs a Cubby’s!
I would usually say black, but I think green would work so beautifully in Greta’s room!
I love the “they make them green now…” comment.
Oh, I prefer black generally, but green with pink? Unbeatable.
Black is the old old classic, back when we had to visit the school days all dressed up in period clothing and everything, I remember the chalkboards being black. In fact they were called “Blackboards”. They make them green now because supposedly it’s easier on the eyes.
Cool fact!