with sliding ladder WALL!
Wow that's a mouthful!!!!
But I think it all came together beautifully and my son LOVES it.......
Things I have always wanted to include in my Home Decor are galvanized wainscoting (that a friend had in their basement), a sliding ladder (from my favorite library) and chalkboard paint!!
After seeing The DIY Show Off's sliding ladder and Attempting Aloha's homemade chalk paint....it inspired me to start a project and include all the things I LOVE.
This Art Activity Wall is on a 9ft wall in a hallway in front of my son's room
This project cost around $100.
Here is what I used:
- Homemade Chalk Paint ($10)
- 1 Sheet of Galvanized Steel ($24)
- Pipe and Fittings ($ 30)
- 1x8 10ft primed board ($15)
- Dry Erase Paint ($15)
Here are Steps 1-4:
Step #1: Painting
I made homemade chalkboard paint using white non-sanded grout and flat interior paint. I bought the grout at Home Depot for about $4.
I used Glidden's Tropical Lagoon for my upper wall.
Mix 2 Tablespoons of grout to 1 Cup of paint. The paint will be slightly gritty. I used 2 cups of the blue paint and painted 2 coats on my upper wall.
I may be creative but I can't draw a straight line!
So I cheat and use my handy dandy projector and some transparency paper.....
I found this projector at my Habitat Store for $15!
But I'm told that most libraries, schools or colleges will loan them out......
I search google images for ideas, printed them on transparency paper,
project them on the wall and traced.
Easy Peasy!!!
This takes less than an hour:-)
Next, I mixed a little grout with some of my craft paints. We are learning our colors so I painted the train, sun and trees in bright fun colors.
After the chalkboard wall was completely dry, I prepped by wiping the whole wall down with chalk and wiping clean.
There are many colors of steel....I used a 36" x 10' sheet of galvanized steel for $23.30. I decided to use the sheet horizontal. Placing the 10 ft sheet on it's side saved money and we only had to make one cut for my 9 ft wall.
I always have my little helper with me:-)
We measured and marked the steel and cut with tin snips
Find studs, mark and screw in place.
We framed out the steel with a 1x8 and 1x1 board,
so no little fingers get cut on the steel.
I painted both boards with Dry Erase paint.
Dry Erase paint needs to be mixed to activate and used with in 2 hrs. and you have to wait 3 days for it to cure....
I painted the boards, clouds, train windows
and the closet door at the end of the hall with dry erase paint.
Step #3: Make Ladder
Mark two 4ft 2x4's and cut holes.
We cut a dowel, glued and clamped in place.
For less damage on our hardwood floors, we used rubber wheels and screwed them on sideways.
We measured and marked the amount of tilt for the ladder and cut holes
We bought a 3/4" 10 ft pipe for $14.92.
Home Depot will cut and thread the pipe for free!!
To attach the pipe and allow the ladder to slid, you will need 2 of each: floor flange, nipple and elbow. You will need the same size as your pipe.
We used a 3/4" pipe but they come in larger and smaller sizes.
Screw one end to wall, thread ladder and screw in opposite end.
I found it easier to paint the ladder while it was hanging...
I painted the ladder in a chalkboard black. One felt tree and one chalkboard tree....
He will be able to draw apples OR pick apples!!
In my next post I will share all the adorable felt items I got from this Etsy shop...
There is so much activity and learning in-cooperated in the wall:-)
We have loooong winters here in Wyoming so this wall will provide lots of learning entertainment for years to come....
Check out all the places I party!
Worth the wait! That is awesome and you are right, it will provide hours on hours of fun for Rains. Great job Michell!
ReplyDeleteAHH! I love love love it! It turned out so awesome. Thanks for the play by play. I love that galvanized steel too. Perfect for magnets of any size ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat job you guys! What a lucky boy!
Michell this is amazing!! :) I love it!!! He looks like he loves it too!
ReplyDeleteWOW!! You should totally pat yourselves on the back! What you've done is AWESOME - my boys would SOOOO love it! Thanks for sharing it & how you did it. I just might copy-cat you someday! :) LOVE LOVE LOVE what you've done!!
ReplyDeleteSimply amazing! You're little guy will have hours of fun. I stumbled this I like so much!
ReplyDeleteSarah
That is so cool! I am going to show this to my husband. He loves this sort of thing. Great job!
ReplyDeletei am blown away. wow, wow, and wow. what a lucky little boy you have--he has such a loving family! again..wow.
ReplyDeleteWow! You are one brave woman!
ReplyDeleteI am so in love wit this!!! My son would love the ladder alone much less the rest of it!!! So amazing, I might have to use the ladder idea somewhere! LOVE!!
ReplyDeleteWow! He's a lucky boy. That is awesome. I wish my boys were little again so I could do that for them.
ReplyDeleteThis is insanely amazing!!! WOW!!! GREAT JOB!!!
ReplyDeletewww.iheartmygluegun.com
What a great project!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Now THAT is a PROJECT!!!
ReplyDeleteI love how you drew the train and details with the overheads ... I feel your pain! Can't draw a straight line to save my life! :)~
Way to go! You are a Super Star!
~Bec
This room has so much inspiration, amazingness & fun all wrapped into one. SO AWESOME! great job. Fantastic seeing the finished project.
ReplyDeleteGirl, you have VISION!
like love.
ReplyDeletereally.
i have been dying to get my hands on the dry erase paint.
be honest...is is worth it?
wow amazing. THe ladder seems so easy I may try this with my son
ReplyDeleteI am not shocked to see so many comments - right now every women in the world wishes to be you for just one day... Include me too...
ReplyDeleteEvielynne
http://rvtravelingpets.blogspot.com
Wow! Totally amazing! That ladder looks like so much fun! What a great space for your little guy.
ReplyDeleteMichell this is beyond fabulous! You have totally outdone yourself! I could see this being incorporated in a school, or daycare. You should be proud of your beautiful project...what a lucky little guy Rains is for having a creative mom like you!
ReplyDeleteHeather
I have been waiting anxiously to see how this turned out... and it is AMAZING! Come do one at my house next, ok? =] What a lucky little boy you have!
ReplyDeleteKrista
Oh, WOW! I always wanted a sliding ladder! You guys did an AMAZING job on this art activity wall. I'd love if you'd link up to Sew Woodsy!
ReplyDeleteYAY! it looks awesome! You are a rockstar!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know they even made dry-erase paint! What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI saw your link on Delightful Order!
Kristi @ A Nest in the Making
What an amazing idea!!! I so wish i could do this for My Noah's room!!
ReplyDeleteI have nominated you for a blogging award over on my site!
check it out!
http://chasingmynoah.blogspot.com/2011/05/me-award-really.html
wow! makes my little magnetic board project look really small!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea! And hours of play time fun!
Michell, you have got to submit this to some magazines! You never cease to amaze me! I think great things are coming your way! Thank you so much for linking up!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is so amazing:)~ You have one kucky little boy. Beautiful and fun!
ReplyDeleteBeth
This is amazing and looks like so much fun! I love the ladder idea and the magnetic boards.....your so creative!
ReplyDeleteThis is "FANTASTIC"! Makes me wish my kids were young again! (just so I can decorate?? lol)
ReplyDeleteAHHHH!!!! I was waiting....I KNEW it was coming...I also KNEW it would be amazing but...OH MY GOODNESS! This is just incredible Michell! I know I'm using all exclamation points but I just cannot get over how fantastic this is! Thank you so much for sharing this at Inspiration Friday...I'm off to go put this up on our Facebook wall right now! :-)
ReplyDeleteVanessa
There are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many things that I love about this. I think that the bottom portion would be especially fun in our hallway right acroass from the boys rooms.
ReplyDeleteLove this! It's so creative & FUN!
ReplyDeleteWarm Wishes,
Jodie
http://lovelaughteranddecor.blogspot.com/
Awesome project! I love the magnetic wall and that ladder is just too cool:)
ReplyDeleteYour the coolest Mom ever!! I may try something like this in a smaller version! It looks liek sooo much fun!! Your right MANY years of learning and creating fun ahead! =)
ReplyDeleteWOW! I dont even know what else to say!! WOWWW!!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a project!!! This is great, I should hire you to do my son's room!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
I am so impressed! You are so creative, it turned out awesome! I am definitely following you now!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog, by the way!
What an amazing project!!! Your son is one lucky guy!!! If we ever have a playroom big enough I am so borrowing your idea. LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteHOLY COW!!!! I am jealous! That wall is amazing! I in love with everything in that room. Your son is SO SO SO lucky to have a mom like you! I am featuring this tonight at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. I am also putting your button on my sidebar as a "BLOG TO WATCH" for a few weeks. I should have done this months ago! You can grab the blog to watch button. Watch out Tatertots and Jello - Here comes Girl In Air.
ReplyDeletePure delicious awesomeness! This is AMAZING! My boys would go NUTS to have this in the house--so cool!
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing! I would use the ladder idea for a wall lined with books...like an old-fashioned library! Great job! :)
ReplyDeleteMichell! It's completely awesome! That wall is going to last him for years and be so much fun! I love every detail and all of the fun ways to inspire creativity!
ReplyDeleteI showed my husband the ladder that we inspired and he thinks your entire project is sooo cool!
Great job! :)
Thanks for sharing in the DIY Project Parade and for the shout out! You rock!
Roeshel
Your are an awesome Mama. I love this project. I have a downstairs playroom and this would be awesome! My son is older but my 4 yr old loves cars and trains so this is something she would love.
ReplyDeleteMJ
Lucky 7 Design
Ok this is too clever !
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed with your creativity,
Thanks for sharing the fun !
This is truly amazing. Imaginative, creative, so much fun!
ReplyDeleteAdrienne
Michell, it is feeeee-nomenal! I love it and I am sure your son is going to get into Harvard on a full academic scholarship, directly attributable to the learning fun and imagination he was given as a child. :)
ReplyDeletethis is WOW amazing. I am in love with what you did. It's so creative and it came together awesome.
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower!
kathryn
www.thedragonsfairytail.blogspot.com
That is so awesome!!! I love all of your rooms, they are amazing! Do you want to come and do my house? :) Where in WY do you live, I grew up RS and then went to UW!
ReplyDeleteHoly cow~!!! My kids would never leave the house if we have this! wow!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing wall! Your little helper is so cute pushing the cart!
ReplyDeleteMichell--This is an amazing wall! I can picture my kids using something like this all the time! Your newest follower, Brenda @A Little Chic.
ReplyDeleteOK, that is seriously the most AWESOME room ever!! What a lucky little guy :)
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else..I love this! I wish I had one of these when I was a kid. Heck, I'd like one right now!
ReplyDeletethat is insane! amazing ! wonderful! i so want to make something like this for my kids!!!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love this! Love the galvanized metal and ladder - what a great learning/playing room feature.
ReplyDeleteNow that is seriously cool! My kids would flip if I made something like that!
ReplyDeleteFound you @ C.R.A.F.T
You always do such beautiful projects! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!!! My daughter would love this!
ReplyDeleteSarah @ practicalpraise.blogspot.com
that is awesome! so cool!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, this is absolutely amazing!!!!! Where on earth did you come up with these ideas? I just love it!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have you share this at my For the Kids link party! Stop by and join in on the fun!
http://sunscholars.blogspot.com/2011/05/for-kids-friday-9.html
SO COOL. You are such a great mom to make this for your munchkin. Heck, I wanna play with it. :-) I would love it if you would link this up to my Marvelous Mess party!! Every week I pick one project to feature on my sidebar!! Here is the link: http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com/2011/05/marvelous-mess-13-and-features.html
ReplyDeleteSo fun! You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Way fun! WYOMING?!?!?!? I'm a Wyoming girl, you are the first Wyoming blogger I know of, other than myself! Where are you?
ReplyDeleteHappy Day,
Jasey @ Crazy Daisy
jaseyscrazydaisy.com
OH MY! that is the COOLEST project EVER! I would love that!! I have 2 little ones and we would enjoy that in our house! If you don't mind I am going to feature this project on my blog - this week - because I am totally in love with it and want to share it! excellent job! I am inspired! just reading more of your tutorials. wow, wow and wow!
ReplyDeleteLove is in the air for Girl in the air!! Great project and definitely adding it to my pinterest page!!!!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, you are a very very very talented mama. This is incredible. I love every single thing about the wall, and can't believe you incorporated so many different things there, even dry erase, as if chalkboard wan't enough. You are truly amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteYour little guy is precious, and I can only imagine the countless hours of fun. You rock girl!!!
Thanks so much for linking up :)
Hugs,
Bella :)**AMAZE ME AUGUST** @ Bella Before and After
OMG, if my son came to your house I would never get him to leave!! This is so creative. I just love it! Hope you will share at my party!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cherishedbliss.com/2011/05/craft-and-tell-tuesday-no-5-and-new.html
Wow that's a big project but it looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteI have an award for you.
http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/2011/05/i-just-won-major-award-sorry-i-love.html
Michelle that is the coolest wall for a little boy's room EVER!! I love it so much! You did an amazing job.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for stopping by my blog the other day. I have to say I am not too ure about Windows Live Writer. The pictures upload way faster though, so that's a plus.
You never cease to amaze me with your talent and creativity! How awesome is this room?!?
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've never used an overhead projector. Glad it worked for you. (I think you'd be surprised that you really CAN paint on your own though ;) You can also just blow up your image (kinko's or blueprint copy place) and transfer it onto the wall.
I'm just sayin' . . . would love to see more of your 'work'!
Amazing!! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeletexoxo
amy
OMG....you are one creative chick!!! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteWOW THIS IS JUST TO DARN PRECIOUS. I adore all the details. SO DARLING, YOU SHOULD BE SO PROUD. WELL DONE! winks-jen
ReplyDeleteNicely done!
ReplyDeleteJudy@cutest-little-things
http://www.cutest-little-things.blogspot.com
VERY cool! You're inspiring me to try something in my little guy's room! Found you over @ Today's Creative...just signed up to follow you, stop by when you get a chance http://juliechats.blogspot.com to see some of my papercrafting & decorating inspiration! :) Nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteThis is soo great! I might have to borrow your ladder tutorial when we build our new casa and have a playroom!
ReplyDeleteJessica@hollcountryhomebody.blogspot.com
Wow...that is one ambitious project. It came out amazing. Too cool. Thanks for sharing at my Swing into Spring party.
ReplyDeleteThis is just awesome! You are amazing!!
ReplyDeleteSO CUTE!! I wish I were closer to my grandsons so I could do this for them! My grandsons are HUGE Thomas fans so they would REALLY like that train!
ReplyDeleteAWESOME job!
This is so smart! Great idea. The whole thing is great, but the ladder makes it over the top. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHoly incredible! That is one intense, but incredibly awesome project! I would be sooooooo proud. Officially save to my "someday" project file. :)
ReplyDeleteFound you on LittleKnickKnack. Nice to see a "neighbor" from WY. Helloooooo Spring! :)
Wow this is super de super awesome!
ReplyDeletewow, this is AMAZING!!! you are such a good mom for doing this! lol :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to Your Whims Wednesday!
Wow! That wall rocks! If only I had a wall I could do that to, I would! But I don't. :(
ReplyDeleteWow... I am totally speechless, but so excited for you and your kiddos! I might have to get my carpenter hubby to try this out on a smaller scale in my office! It would remind me of Bell in the library in Beauty and the Beast!
ReplyDeleteI just added this project to my blog!! Your projects are inspiring! ♥
ReplyDeleteThis is such an awesome I idea. I love it!
ReplyDeleteI am seriously squealing right now. We are building a house right now and I was trying to think of something that I could do in one particular area of our upstairs landing and this would be PERFECT! Oh, my. Girl, you rock!
ReplyDeleteAnd as far as the projector is concerned Hobby Lobby and Michaels sells a projector (I think it is called the Tracer?) for about $50. If you use a half off coupon then you can get it for $25 like me! :) I use that projector for so many things. I've used it to create murals for our kids' walls, for creating my own artwork on blank canvases, and I recently used it to cut out a costume pattern that would have required that it be blown up using a copy machine and taped back together. That projector was a great investment.
Thanks for the great idea. :)
This is sooo sooo awesome! I just cant even say how much I love it. How creative and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThis is AMAZING! Your son is one lucky duck! What little kid wouldn't LOVE a room like this...I want a room like this :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a project, it turned out amazing! I bet he loves playing in his room now. Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteCrystal
This is SUPER awesome!!! So many things to learn here. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWOW - that is absolutely amazing! Well done!
ReplyDeleteJess
jbeedelightful.blogspot.com
I L.O.V.E. This! you are so creative! Thanks for sharing this at Fantastic Friday. I have chosen to feature you tomorrow, so stop by and grab a button . . . again! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is GREAT! I am saving it for future house plans! Not only an awesome activity wall...but it also solves the grubby-finger-prints-down the-hallway problem! LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Heidi
This turned out so great! Thanks for sharing it at For the Kids Friday at Sun Scholars! You have been featured this week! Stop by and grab an A++ button for your page, and link up again for another week of fun!
ReplyDeletehttp://sunscholars.blogspot.com/2011/05/for-kids-friday-11.html
Very different but cool!
ReplyDeletethat is such a cute and creative project! Love it!
ReplyDeleteCrazy cool! I have a big wall like that but I'd never have the patience to tackle this project. Good job!
ReplyDeleteWhat an Awesome idea! I'm sure you have one happy little guy.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing. I don't know who would have more fun playing on that wall, me, or my two little ones. :0) So inspiring!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I am linking back to you on our FB Page The Joys of Home Educating...
ReplyDeleteYou rock!
Michell this realy is amazing!!! That sliding ladder is just ridiculously cool! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you linked it up to Think Pink Sundays - I featured you today!! http://www.flamingotoes.com/2011/05/crush-of-the-week-think-pink-features-7/
Girl... I LOVE this!!! You are such a talented lady! Thanks so much for linking up this week! :)
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh I LOVE this! Briliant!! Your son is going to love that FOREVER!
ReplyDeleteThat is incredible! Love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteHoly cow, you packed a TON of activity onto that wall!!! What an amazing vision, wonderful plan, and very impressive execution. What kid wouldn't LOVE that!?
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome!! Thanks for sharing this great idea.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
http://creativecowgirl.co
How fabulous is this!?! Your little one is going to LOVE your new activity wall!! GENIOUS!!
ReplyDeletethis is absolutely amazing!!! love love it!
ReplyDeleteOh, my! LOVE IT! It's the ladder that really gets my heart racing. I love sliding ladders and I never once thought to do a small one for kids! Found you through Stories of A to Z and can't wait to get a bit more time to delve into the rest of your blog. :)
ReplyDeleteWOW! Fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteWow! I am blown away by your idea! Your little one must love this so much! I would love to do the same for my daughter! Great job and keep up the amazing work!
ReplyDeleteI am still in awe of this entire idea! I featured you today on my blog. Here is the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/2011/05/wednesdays-wowzers-oh-you-will-be.html
Thanks for inspiring!
~Alison
This is seriously the most darling idea ever.
ReplyDeleteMy mouth is hanging open in awe.
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!!!!!!!!
This is just incredible. You deserve a medal for this project! Great job! Love the idea of using the galvanized metal for a magnetic wall.
I'm just blown away. VERY impressive.
um, holy comments, batman! what can i say that hasn't been said- it rocks! or rolls really. so cool!
ReplyDeletewow!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is simply amazing! It's so great how you incorporated lovely little details... love the hanging bucket for the chalk too!
ReplyDeleteFantastic! I linked this to my ladders post too, awesome project!!
ReplyDeleteI may have commented on this AMAZING wall already...but you have so many comments I cannot find it. I know I posted on my FB wall. This is just unbelievable and so well done.
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing!!!! Pretty sure that's like the coolest wall ever! :) ....will be saving this! Maybe one day when I am older and have kids I would love to do something like this!! GREAT job! :)
ReplyDeletewow. this is seriously amazing. i love it!
ReplyDeleteOne of the best project I have seen! Thanks for sharing. I featured this on my blog: http://koolbeenz-blog.blogspot.com/2011/06/gallery-of-featured-crafters-4-with.html
ReplyDeleteFeel free to grab my Featured Button if you like.
@pril
Wow! This is so creative. I bet your little guy will just love it. What an awesome tutorial. Thanks for all the fun ideas
ReplyDeleteWow! That's a lot of comments! Anyhoo! Very cool wall... I'm curious how you feel that the homemade chalkboard paint compares to the store bought chalk paint. I have several projects I'd like to do with chalk paint but am not sure of the homemade stuff! I love the creativity. I've got to follow along here, you've got some very inspiring ideas!
ReplyDeleteHoly Cow! This has to be the BEST activity wall I've ever seen! Even better that it was a joint effort. Now is this in the house you just moved into? (If it's in the house you just left, that's gonna make me sad...)
ReplyDeleteWow! Great DIY project, as in great! Actually I can't do this alone and even think about this. Love the creativity and uniqueness of this project, eh.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Cathy@landau scrub
OH. MY. STARS. This is brilliant! I have been wanting to create something similar for my boy's bedroom with a ladder (to the bookshelves) but I may have to incorporate some of your ideas into it also. thanks for the great inspiration!
ReplyDeletexo
Through different threads, I'm here all the way from Better After. It's been a long trip through several other blogs. But here I am! And where were you when my kids were little? Oh. That's right. My kids are 28 and 24. I guess we all know where you were. Rats! Too late for my kids but your ideas and their implementation are BRILLIANT! Thank you so much for sharing them with the world and reminding me that I can do anything I set my mind to as long as I can dream up ways of overcoming my limitations. You have a very lucky little boy. I know that he appreciates all that you do. At least he will when he starts realizing what the other little boys DON'T have at their houses! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteGoodness that is amazing! I don't think I could convince the husband that our 5 month old needs a wall like this now, but I see one in our future. Thanks for sharing the wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteThe ends of wall ladders stiles are fitted with rubber plugs to avoid accidents. Sliding doors
ReplyDeleteNice. Thanks for the blog and the details provided thereby
ReplyDeleteWallpapers
Man I wish I could pin this
ReplyDelete