Back To Black

Old School: Entirely Smitten (http://www.entirelysmitten.typepad.com)
& Jodie Byrne (http://www.jodiebyrne.com/)

"Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."

John Howard Payne, 1823.

Whenever I find myself with a bit of spare time, one of my favourite hobbies is looking for unique ways to turn my house into a home. With hundreds of magazines and thousands of blogs to search for inspiration, my imagination is often overwhelmed by the possibilities. Recently, I've noticed one particular trend cropping up time and time again, so decided to share it with you in my first "Home Sweet Home" post.

Blackboard paint may at first bring back memories of boring maths lessons and grumpy old teachers but I think it's a brilliant way to personalise a room - especially if you're short on space.

The paint is inexpensive and can be applied to anything - kitchen doors, coffee tables - even the fridge! For once, you won't mind when kids doodle on the furniture and it'll also come in handy when compiling your shopping list, jotting down phone numbers or even playing hangman while the kettle boils.

Thirsty Work: Decorative Drinks & Herbs

And the fun doesn't have to stop there! Once the kettle's boiled, why not enjoy your coffee in a blackboard mug? The possibilities are endless but as always, less is more. The blackboard look is a stunning statement - not to be used on every possible surface.

If you're worried about using dark colours in an otherwise bright room, fear not. Centsational Girl (http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/03/make-your-own-colored-chalkboard-paint/)has a fabulous recipe for coloured chalk paints, ideal for children's bedrooms, bathrooms and even gardens.

I'm planning to give this a go at the weekend and will let you know how I get on. If you've got any chalk couture in your home, why not send us a picture?

Worth Every Penny: Centsational Girl