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    Home » Repurposed Furniture » Industrial Rivet Chalkboard

    Industrial Rivet Chalkboard

    Published by Gail | Published September 5, 2014 | Updated April 9, 2019
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    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.

    Industrial Rivet chalkboard Restoration Hardware 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!

    Window Before

    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...

    prepping old window for paint

    I removed the rubber strip and the metal thingy. Then cleaned it up and gave the glass 3 or 4 coats of chalkboard paint.

    Cutting chipboard 4 at a time with the jigsaw

    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 ¼ 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).

    adding corner pieces from chipboard to make fake rivets

    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.

    Using upholstery tacks to make fake rivets

    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.

    Using upholstery tacks to make fake rivets
    I now had my "rivets"!
    Spray painting silver as first coat for faux metal finish
    Since I have a stash of half empty spray paint cans, I was lucky to find the colors I needed to do my faux metal on the window frame. I started with some Krylon Silver, and sprayed it really well.
    faux metal finish spraying with brown, sponge black on edges
    Then with some brown I sprayed from really far away to give it a speckled look, to age the shiny silver. Last, I got a sponge and dabbed it in black paint (acrylic or latex) and lightly rubbed it on the edges around the frame. If it looked too dark I used a wet paper towel to blend it in.
    close up of fake rivets on RH Knock off industrial rivet chalkboard
    This gave the frame the dark industrial metal look. It isn't totally perfect, but close enough for me. Everything I used for this project I had on hand so my RH Knock Off was completely FREE!!
    Industrial Rivet chalkboard Restoration Hardware Knock off
     Now I have to decide how I want to use it. As a calendar?
    Industrial Rivet chalkboard Restoration Hardware Knock off
    For weekly meal planning?
    Industrial Rivet chalkboard Restoration Hardware Knock off
    Or just for quotes of inspiration on my mantle?
    I love chalkboards, they can be used for so many different things! I think my boys room would be a great place for it to end up...eventually. 🙂
    Industrial Rivet chalkboard Restoration Hardware Knock off
    I think I could attempt another knock off, knowing it won't be exactly the same as the original takes off the stress, and I really enjoyed creating something that I wanted for a much better price! Free is just my style!
    Industrial Rivet chalkboard Restoration Hardware Knock off

    Have you made anything from an old window lately? They are great for repurposing and you can find them for free on craigslist quite often!
    Hugs!
    Mindi

    see more of Mindi's posts on MRL below:
    [categorythumbnaillist 274]

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    About Mindi

    Mindi is a wife, mother, runner, dancer, and a lover of all things fun and DIY.

    A few years ago she discovered blogs and fell in love with the idea that she could do things she had always dreamed of doing. Like build furniture from pallets, and make cool projects for her home.... Mindi was inspired by other bloggers that empowered her to create.

    Mindi decided to give back and possibly reach someone out there that has a desire to create like herself. She believes we all have that desire in some form or another, and we all DO create in our own way, every day. Whether it be crafty or not, even creating happiness in others is a gift that many share.

    Mindi loves to learn and use that knowledge to make beautiful and useful things for her home.

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Beth linton

      October 01, 2014 at 1:58 pm

      I like yours alot better!!!!

      Reply
    2. Katie @ Little House of Four

      September 30, 2014 at 10:50 pm

      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!

      Reply
    3. Tina Bedwell

      September 18, 2014 at 9:07 am

      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!

      Reply
    4. Malinda Clay

      September 12, 2014 at 2:17 pm

      LOVE this idea....thanks for sharing the "how to". I really enjoy your blog and looked forward to each post.
      Malinda in Mississippi

      Reply
    5. Paige @ Little Nostalgia

      September 08, 2014 at 9:14 am

      Oh man! I think it looks so close to the real thing. I like how you did the "rivets" in the corners!

      Reply
    6. La Verne @ hopeandsalvage.com

      September 06, 2014 at 4:36 pm

      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

      Reply
    7. Bliss

      September 06, 2014 at 7:22 am

      Very cool, very pinned.

      Reply
    8. Pat

      September 05, 2014 at 10:03 pm

      That is JUST COOL right there!
      Very great knock off. 2 Thumbs up Mindi
      Patricia

      Reply
    9. Julie @ follow your heart woodworking

      September 05, 2014 at 9:27 pm

      Great Mindi, I like how you did those corner pieces... very creative!

      Reply
    10. gail@myrepurposedlife.com

      September 05, 2014 at 3:25 pm

      Oh Mindi! How I love this knockoff! I love everything about your industrial chalkboard, but my favorite is the faux rivets (thumbtacks) super job!

      Reply
    11. Mary

      September 05, 2014 at 12:40 pm

      Well done, Mindi! Nice sized note pad.

      Reply
    12. Catherine

      September 05, 2014 at 11:41 am

      Great Job!
      Totally love this--
      Catherine

      Reply
    13. Laurel Stephens

      September 05, 2014 at 11:15 am

      This knock off is incredible, Mindi. I like yours better than the original!

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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