I love it when people “knock off” a project from one of the big stores that most people only dream about having the funds to shop at…stores like Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, and Restoration Hardware. Just to name a few.
I am guilty of such dreams, but I have never done a knock off of my own. Until today. An Industrial Rivet Chalkboard Knock Off.
A few weeks back I fell in love with Restoration Hardware’s industrial rivet chalkboard, it was simple and just cool industrial. Obviously my wallet could not afford the price tag $399, so I set off to make my own. As luck would have it my friend had given me some old windows that she had removed from her basement. Even though she gave me several I just used one for this project and it was the perfect size!
Now this baby was not made of metal like RH’s version, and it also wasn’t as thin on the edges. As long as I could get the look and feel of RH’s piece then I was good. I went to work…
I removed the rubber strip and the metal thingy. Then cleaned it up and gave the glass 3 or 4 coats of chalkboard paint.
Once the last coat of paint was dry I set out to create my fake metal and rivet corners. I chose a scrap piece of chipboard 1/4 inch thick and drew on a pattern using the window frame as a guide (far left photo). To save time I stacked three more pieces of chipboard under the patterned board, clamped them down, and started cutting out the pattern with my jigsaw (middle). When all four corners were cut, I kept them together to sand the edges smooth (far right).
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Not too bad, obviously thicker than the original, but the right size for the window frame. You can also see I filled in the crack where the rubber thing was with spackle.
Next up was gluing down the corner pieces, I used Gorilla wood glue and set one on each corner of the window frame. Then, to avoid splitting the wood, I drilled holes for my upholstery tacks. Before I hammered in the tacks, I added a dab of hot glue, to make sure they would be nice and secure.
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I like yours alot better!!!!
You rocked this knock off! I actually like yours better and think it looks more expensive with the thicker frame. I would love for you to link this awesome project up to Your Designs This Time on Monday’s at 8:00! I hope to see you there!
Awesome knockoff!! I like the thickness of your frame better than RH’s thin frame. Yours actually has a more industrial look, to me. And upholstery tacks for the rivets, genius!!! Great job!
LOVE this idea….thanks for sharing the “how to”. I really enjoy your blog and looked forward to each post.
Malinda in Mississippi
Oh man! I think it looks so close to the real thing. I like how you did the “rivets” in the corners!
Mindi, However do you find time to sleep? I need to use your toothpaste and drink your tea. Creativity comes out of your every pore! Definitely a WINNER!
La Verne@hope&salvage
Very cool, very pinned.
That is JUST COOL right there!
Very great knock off. 2 Thumbs up Mindi
Patricia
Great Mindi, I like how you did those corner pieces… very creative!
Oh Mindi! How I love this knockoff! I love everything about your industrial chalkboard, but my favorite is the faux rivets (thumbtacks) super job!
Well done, Mindi! Nice sized note pad.
Great Job!
Totally love this–
Catherine
This knock off is incredible, Mindi. I like yours better than the original!