hello blog buddies! i’m sure you’ve seen this chalkboard globe floating around the internet or in your favorite inspiration catalog.
isn’t she lovely!? yes! but the price tag …$300!! … not so lovely. this has diy written all over it.
last summer i found this globe stand at my local antique shop (even though i don’t really think it’s an antique). i picked it up for $10 – $15 bucks with the intention of at least painting the stand portion (not a big fan of the honey colored wood).
the globe and stand had some great bones. perfect condition. those little bumps where the mountains are … detailed graphics … sturdy … etc.
part of me almost didn’t wait to paint it … but for $15, i decided to be confident and take the risk! so … without further adiue… check out my new chalkboard globe!!
isn’t she lovely!?
how’d i do it? easy. i removed the globe from the stand (easier said that done). i painted the stand and armature with a black/charcoal hammered finished metal spray paint. and i used chalkboard spray paint (yes! – it does exist. i got mine at wal-mart) to cover the globe.
then i used some white acrylic paint to do the outlines of the states, the equator and little compass and other fun markings around the globe. and while it looks beautiful i can pretty much guarantee that it’s not geographically correct. so don’t grab this globe if you find yourself lost. trust me. you may end up in an ocean somewhere.
i’m not sure where it’s going to go (not here because it would block the staircase a bit … i just like how it looks with my blueprints.)
so for fifteen bucks and some leftover spraypaint i have a new $300 globe! please don’t tell anyone it’s not the real thing. 
what do you think!?
OMG I love it! Well wort it for $15 there are enough globes at the trift stores who needs to spend $300 it looks great!
Awe.Some! Genius. (hands clapping here). Thanks for sharing!
i so know what you mean by not wanting to paint it…but glad that your “word” helped you to do it! it is now an amazing decor piece unlike it’s dated “before” condition.
if you haven’t already found them…try out chalk markers..they are awesome and so much cleaner (both in line drawing and no dust)
cute! very original and fun! great recycle!
Genius…of course. I’m on the hunt for a globe now….watch out Goodwill.
I hadn’t seen this until now….LUVS.
I. love. it.
THIS is absolutely BRILLLIANT!
I love it!
Love! It!
Genius! I love it!
Thanks for stopping by! Incidentally, where is St. Mary’s, PA? And I saw a mention of State College- did you go to Penn State? My hubby grew up in Lebanon and was a fine art minor at Penn State. Wondering if you’ve crossed paths?
How cool is this? I’ve never seen the chalkboard globe, so this is new to me. I love it.
Great job!!! I love making things from catalogs…but on the cheap. I like the black…I’d have been tempted to paint the frame red or orange…but I know no restraint.
Love it! I like that you outlined the continents in white.
I recently picked up a very similar globe but the stand on mine is taller and the base is uglier
Inspiring.
Honey, that thing looks totally high end!
Your globe turned out great! I love how it looks with the blueprints too. Way to go!
Michael – you’re a genius! I’m crazy about your chalkboard globe. What a wonderful transformation. I have a tan globe that’s so, well, so 60′s. Methinks I see some chalkboard spray paint in my future. Thanks for the great tip.
Love this. I’m a big fan of globes and maps (as decor, accessories, inspiration, you name it)….half of me cringed when you went ahead and painted the globe (I like them that much!), but the result looks just great.
that is BRILLIANT! thanks for visiting my little blog!
Such a cute idea, it turned out great! I love the “you are here” spot on the globe.
Love this idea! I have some chalkboard spray paint sitting around here, now all I need is the globe.
Soo fun! I love it, I am going to have to keep my eyes out for a globe of my own now.
Well! I totally want it! I’m hoping to snatch up a globe and make it into a chalkboard globe too…Let the hunt begin!
awesome. i am so trying this. thanks for the inspiration!
kiki @ http://www.kikicreates.blogspot.com
Fantastic! I’ve always wanted a globe on a stand… mine just sits on a tabletop. What a find! Great knockoff!
Visiting you from Tatertots and Jello. I was just talking to my son about putting a globe in his new room! Now I know how to make it a chalk globe!
Thanks!
Great project. I must have missed it in the catalog although I don’t know how, I’ve been looking for a globe for a while.
I found one a couple week ago and now need to decide to paint it white to add seasonal vinyl clings as I intended, or with chalkboard paint.
great job, chalk board paint is the best! A great new use for a globe.
i think its genius!love it!i hv a love thing w anything in chalks.
44308…..12800
Soooo clever! Love how the black gives it a totally different kind of punch.
Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/
WOW!! I’m def. going to be looking out for a globe.
I’m your newest follower and would like to have you return the lub =D
http://bargaincornerdesigns.blogspot.com/
Great idea, and who cares if it is not geographically correct! I love it.
Whata saving – looks as good as the original! Well done!
Holy cow, I am late for the party on this one, but just have to say I LOVE THIS GLOBE! I have a nice collection of old globes (and an almost 300 year old map of the Italian peninsula from an old European atlas), so I love anything relating to cartography!
I’ve seen some old globes that are faded and in not the best of shape at thrift stores — next time I’m going to snap one up and do this project with it!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Best,
Kimberly