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In grade school they were black. At some point, likely when I changed schools after my family moved to a nicer part of town, blackboards changed from the self-titled black to the newer, improved, and ambiguous green or brown chalkboard. Eventually chalk was replaced with markers, chalkboards replaced with whiteboards, and white dust replaced with black, red, blue, and green dry-erase marker grime that sticks to your fingers and smells to high heaven. I’m dating myself here – its very possible many of you had nothing but blackboards all the way through school. Contrast that against today’s cold, comparatively impersonal, digital teaching tools, and the whole memory of blackboards seems romantic.
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- Image a lá Carte Blanche
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Reality check: chalkboards are MESS-Y!! Chalk dust can really get everywhere, and colored chalk is even more invasive. And don’t even think about cleaning erasers indoors! Despite that, there has been a surge in popularity for chalkboards. More accurately, chalkboard paint. I know you’ve seen it. Everywhere. Whole walls, restaurants, whole walls in restaurants,… its everywhere!
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Why? Because they are romantic. They are charming and functional and are being used in unique ways to personalize a space, decorate a powder room, or to label a wine glass or dinner place-card. Nothing is sacred from the application of chalkboard paint – but it’s okay!
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See beautiful photos & read more after the jump…
