Family Style
Would You Pay This Much for a Pretty Chalkboard?
I love the idea of having an easel in my home, but I don’t love the look of most of them. Why are so many of them plastic, garishly colored, and just plain ugly? I did find one that I’d be happy to display, but the price seems a little steep.
It’s normally $119 at Restoration Hardware Baby & Child, but it’s on sale right now for $94. What do you think? Do you like to splurge on toys when they’re prettier than the usual fare?
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11 Comments
Sunshinequeen commented on Mar 25 11 at 11:46 pmabsolutely not! I can make you one for about $50. Think of all the other things you could spend $100. Do you value this item that much (and would your kids) to make it worth the investment? If the answer is yes- then splurge. If not I would keep looking.
Fallon commented on Mar 26 11 at 2:28 amIt looks like a classic, the kind you would keep for grandkids. It is beautiful, simple, and something I would not feel like I had to hide in the basement! The big red chunky plastic ones are not that easy on the eye. I would pay the $94!
Amanda commented on Mar 26 11 at 6:45 pmThat is not a bad price at all. Any well made easel is going to be around 100 or more. I agree that this one looks nicer than most. My toddler has an orange easel. It is nice and usable but not nearly as attractive as this one. I also love the wall mounted book shelf from the site!
Dara commented on Mar 26 11 at 9:08 pmMaybe you can find a less expensive easel for another purpose and instead paint part of a wall with chalkboard paint which is easy, inexpensive and cleans up well. I painted a large section of wall in my kitchen with chalkboard paint years ago and I use it every single day. Love it.
Delta commented on Mar 26 11 at 10:24 pmOr you could buy one at Ikea for a mere $14.99 and distress it all you like.
samsonizzle commented on Mar 26 11 at 11:37 pmI would, though my husband might not be too crazy about the idea. On second thought though, it looks like a simple enough design; I bet a handy person could make one for at least a little less, maybe.
andrea commented on Mar 27 11 at 8:30 amYou could also paint that ugly plastic furniture as well. Krylon paint is WONDERFUL!!!!
Sara commented on Mar 27 11 at 3:53 pmWay too expensive- Having a child who has gone through his easel age, you need one that has some sort of clips for paper and places to store paint, markers, etc. This one could easily and cheaply be made and painted to your taste. If you are looking only for a chalkboard easel, it would much less expensive to purchase a can of chalkboard paint and plywood.
Jana commented on Mar 28 11 at 2:32 amIn theory the price is ok if it gets used ALOT….but because you paid a fortune for such an awesome classic item, your children will reject it…or does that just happen to me? *sigh*
k. annie commented on Mar 28 11 at 12:14 pmThe 14.99 Ikea one is really great!–and it has a place for a paper roll.
NicoleBalch commented on Mar 28 11 at 12:14 pmSomeone tweeted this to me: http://www.thedesignconfidential.com/2011/03/free-diy-furniture-plans-to-build-a-restoration-hardware-industrial-chic-chalkboard-easel/
DIY version!
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