Chalk it up

Combine a chalk calendar with a nifty magnetic board to keep the whole family on track and on time

Postcards? Tick. Party invites? Tick. Ballet exam, rubbish day, dentist appointment... tick, tick, tick. This ingenious timetable - cum-display board will help all the fam stick to the plan and stay organised. Just don’t forget to schedule some fun time!

Magnetic chalk shelf

You will need:

Measuring tape, pencil and eraser
Long ruler, level and set square
Painter’s masking tape
Small paint roller and tray
500ml Resene Magnetic Magic base coating
500ml-1 litre Resene Blackboard Paint in black
Chalk and soft cloth or duster

Props: Wall painted in Resene Alabaster. Wall planner painted in Resene Blackboard Paint in black. Wooden wall hooks and The Sunday Bench all from Sunday Home Store. Mercury rain jacket, Seagrass belly baskets and jute hall runner all from Shut The Front Door. Other items, stylist’s own.

Instructions:

Make sure your chosen wall area is clean and smooth. Decide on the size of your wall planner then draw the rectangular outline on the wall in pencil.
Mask it off with masking tape.
Using a roller, apply two smooth, even coats of Resene Magnetic Magic, letting it dry between coats. Once dry, test your magnets hold well (if they don’t, add another coat of Resene Magnetic Magic).
Apply two coats of Resene Blackboard Paint, letting it dry in between.
Once touch dry, remove tape. Leave painted wall for a few days to fully cure, then draw planner with chalk.
Fill in your planner using magnets to attach memos .etc and chalk for jotting.

Tips:

For a stronger magnetic hold, you may need to apply more than two coats. The thicker and smoother the application, the stronger the magnetic effect.
Take care removing the tape as paint can catch if you’ve left it to dry for longer. If it’s stubborn, score lightly along the tape’s edge then remove slowly.
Instead of adding a blackboard finish, leave it as a magnetic wall and just apply topcoats in your chosen Resene paint colour.