We used:

• Plascon Blackboard Paint
• Plascon Cashmere Light Reflection
• Plascon Cashmere Black
• Hamilton’s paintbrushes
• Sponge rollers
• Artist’s brush
• Masking tape
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Metal ruler
• Builder’s chalk line

Get the décor effect

• Apply two layers of Light Reflection to the feature, allowing the first to dry before painting the second. When the second coat is completely dry, mark off a rectangle at the bottom of the wall with the pencil and measuring tape. To get the lines as straight as possible, use the builder’s chalk line.
• Stick masking tape around the outlines of the rectangle and give it two coats of blackboard paint. Let it dry before moving onto the bookshelf design.
• Working your way from the skirting board up, make two marks on either side of the wall (at the height you want your bottom shelf to be), connect the dots with the builder’s chalk line and stick a broad piece of masking tape along the line. Trace along both edges of the tape with a pencil, and repeat the whole process, varying the lengths between the tape until you have the outlines for horizontal shelves.
• For the partitions, use a metal ruler to draw vertical lines at varying intervals, keeping the top of the ruler flush with the horizontal shelves to ensure perpendicular lines. Stick masking tape along the vertical lines, tracing the outlines as was done with the shelves.
• Peel back the masking tape revealing the framework of the bookshelf. Stick some more tape along the outlines of the shelves and partitions before carefully applying a layer of black paint with the roller. When dry, peel off the masking tape.
• To fill the shelves with books and objects, draw your designs in pencil and paint them with a small brush in black paint. If the thought of drawing is too daunting a task, gather visual references, then photo copy and enlarge them to the required size. Cover the back with coloured chalk, place the chalk-side against the wall and trace the design using a sharp pencil.