The Writing's on the Door

For a couple of years, clever new home merchandisers and custom builders have been painting with chalkboard paint to transform a wall or other surface into a useable chalkboard for kids. Drawing on the popularity of the idea, Simpson Door Co. takes it one step further with an off-the-shelf new product: a magnetic chalkboard door.

Available in three design configurations - one door-length chalkboard panel, two vertically stacked panels separated by a rail and a chalkboard panel on top with a rail separating it from a 1/4-inch wood panel below - the doors come in Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, American Red Oak, maple and cherry.

The magnetized chalkboard doors, which come in standard sizes, start at about $325 and go for as high as around $650.