Fun Entertaining: Chalkboard Tablecloths

Children's art canvas by day; edgy modern party accessory by night! We saw these chalkboard tablecloths and immediately saw their potential in party situations. Imagine a wine tasting with the names of each wine written next to the glass. Or a dinner party with secret notes written under the plates. What do you think?

We also love the black matte finish on these tablecloths. It would look elegant and refined by candlelight, and no one would have to worry about spilling!

We could write the name of each dish on a buffet tables (so we stop getting asked a million times), add people's names next to where we want them to sit, write special messages around the table to match the theme of the evening, keep everything labeled at a cheese or wine tasting, or a million other simple ideas.

Here are a few sources we found:

• Chalkboard Oilcloth Tablecloth, $24.94 from Linengirl on Etsy - The original tablecloth that caught our eye!

• Chalkboard Placemats, $12.00 from ChristinaChristina on Etsy - A smaller version are great for individual place settings or for a special display in the middle of the table.

• Liquid Chalk Markers, $36.00 from Amazon.com - These write more clearly than chalk and won't smudge as easily, and they can still be wiped clean

• Bulk Chalkboard Oilcloth, $152 from Vogue Fabrics - This buys 18 yards of oil cloth fabric, which is plenty for you and a few friends to custom make your own table linens.

• How to Make a Chalkboard Tablecloth from Martha Stewart - Or you can make one yourself with a little chalkboard paint and some canvas!

• Make a Chalkboard Table from DesignSponge - We also spotted this Craig's List table make-over on DesignSponge. The owners bypassed the tablecloth and painted the whole table with chalkboard paint! They have some cute ideas for dinner party decorations, too.

What would you do with a chalkboard tablecloth?

(Image: Linengirl)

Comments (5)

It's funny this came up because over the summer I painted the insert to my drop leaf table in chalkboard paint. It's all manner of practical in that as we eat dinner if my son finishes first he can draw at the table while I'm still eating so he isn't bored, we still get to talk and spend time together. I draw out the ABC's and numbers and we talk about them.

I also thought it would be handy during parties, and if you leave home while the person you live with is sleeping, you could write them a note on the table letting them know where you went, when you'd be back instead of wasting paper.

I also did the back door, which is nice to have my son do GIANT drawings on as I do homework. Afterwords I take photos of him next to his art, I upload them, and we wipe it clean. Also, no use of paper!

I really like the idea of making your own w chalkboard paint.

Oh, I LOVE the idea of painting just one leaf with chalkboard paint! Doing the whole table isn't something I think I'd do, but one leaf would be totally practical and nice-looking. Thanks for the tip!

mmmm, chalk dust in my food...so tasty.

I agree w/fischbowl. Your utensils would be laying on the table right in your artwork. I do like the idea though.

Inspired by this post, I googled and found these fun chalkboard placemats!

I may just have to get these for my son:

http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?itemId=13911