One current trendy look is silver-leaf furniture. With its shine and luster, many can’t help but fall in love with these pieces. There is one drawback, however – the cost.
If you have an old dresser, don't throw it away... Dress it up!
If you’re willing to put in the work, you can transform a worn-out older piece into a modern marvel at a relatively low price.
Although the steps that will be laid out here apply to a dresser, the idea is the same for any piece you might be thinking of revitalizing.
1. Choose the metal leaf that fits your needs, which your can purchase from any craft store. Aluminium is less expensive than silver and since it’s easier to handle novices like working with this leaf.
2. Relocate your dresser to a space that you easily work with metal bits of leaf that are easily blown around (kind of messy too).
3. Remove the hardware from your dresser and use wood putty to fill the holes if you’re planning of installing new drawer pulls.
4. Sand the entire dresser then coat with a spray paint – including primer – of a color you enjoy. The color will be seen through any cracks in the leafing. Allow the paint to dry.
5. Where you are going to apply the leaf, paint first with a coat of water-based sizing. After the sizing color becomes transparent, after about 20 minutes, it’s ready for application.
6. Lay a sheet of leaf on the surface of the piece and tap down with a gilder’s brush. Slightly overlap the next leaf when applied, and brush off loose bits of leaf.
7. Seal the surface by brushing on acrylic clear coat to protect from abrasions and water; allow to dry.
8. Replace or install new hardware and enjoy!
