while i’m not sure i can totally get behind chalkboard paint in my own home, in a restaurant or cafe, i’m in love. you can chalk it all up with different colors, change your menu with the changing seasons, show a little bit of your own personality, get a little messy! i hate to see a newly opened independent shop put up a big ol’ printed menu board that makes them look just like a chain store–unchanging, inaccessible, and cold. my sisters and i had a conversation once about what makes a really good coffee shop, and we all agreed, if there’s an ugly printed sign with generic graphics and fonts, we’re disappointed before we’ve had our first sip. but, give us a chalkboard and a daily special, and we’re sold.
the olive tree company, a new little deli and sandwich shop (with a kick-ass beer list), opened up just down the street from us and it has me missing wilmington already. the sandwiches are incredible and the couple that owns the shop is beyond sweet. if you’re ever in wilmington, to 110 south front street you must go. if you’re really lucky, you might even get to try some of their blackberry lemonade. so good.
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chalkboards are a mainstay of all the seasonal restaurants here in ny with menus that are always changing. i think i want to give chalkboard paint a try in my new apt. i just need to find it first – and find some wood or frame to put it on – not directly on the wall. that will be the hard part.
I used to draw all the chalkboards for a few area restaurants. And I loved doing it, it was actually my favorite job. We changed the boards in full for the seasons, with holidays about 6 times a year and changed the menus weekly.
I loved when we had great space for any kind of special or message. Then I could just go hog wild and make something I was proud of.
And I absolutely agree with you, chalkboard + good coffee is wonderful. Bad fonts and flashy graphics not good.
I love the chalkboard thing in cafes too! We will definitely check that out when we finally get out that way. It sounds wonderful. xo
i love chalkboards! i think they give such a homey and creative feel to any place!
that restaurant sounds so good! wish i could dine there!
i love chalkboard paint. they have it in the movie (500) days of summer and the new coldplay video
http://www.coldplay.com/videostrawberry.php
I agree – restaurants that change up their menus and show some personality are rarely disappointing. I think if I had a nice welcoming kitchen I would sue some chalkboard paint to use for lists, reminders, menus, fave quotes, etc.
ah see i am a fan of chalkboards in the home as well! when i open my craft store *sigh* im going to have a whole wall ofchalkboard for sketching and little ones to draw and dream on, and inspiring quotes too. yep.
I do love chalkboards in cafes… I have minimal chalk board paint in my house – it's on my kids doors (and I mixed up the chalkboard paint myself so it would be a custom color). They love it when I write notes to them on their door!
Ah, yes. Chalkboard paint. I love it, both out and about and at home. Maybe it's just because I was a teacher in another life. Like a hundred zillion years ago. And then dry-erase boards started taking over… and it's just not the same. Not at all. I love chalkboards. And good bars with good beer lists. Of course.
-maria
Chalkboard paint is just so fab! I'm planning on painting my kitchen cupboard with it, to write the week's menus down, etc. But my husband feels the same as you do so I've got my work cut out for me!!!
This looks like a place I would love to be 🙂
You captured the charm of that lovely little spot perfectly!
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