As it's the holidays, I have finally got around to finishing this little set of drawers that I bought from Ikea many years ago. They were looking tired and past their best, so I had to find a way to make them look good enough to stay in my bedroom. I decided to use pictures from old Gil Elvgren desk top calendars.
It is my third decoupage project on the blog as I have also decoupaged a serving tray and a jewellery box.
You will need:
- wooden drawers, or any other piece you want to decorate
- pictures on paper
- water-based primer
- water-based matte varnish
- polyurethane varnish
- PVA glue
- wooden knobs with screws
- satin finish paint (for the insides)
- paper towel
- fine sandpaper (wet and dry is best)
- soft cloth
- paint brush
- glue brush
What you do:
- Wash off any grease from the drawers.
- Lightly sand down all surfaces.
- Apply two coats of primer, lightly sanding after each coat.
- Use the satin finish paint to coat any surfaces you are not decoupaging.
- Plan each face by laying out the pictures. Cut each one out and glue it onto the wood, taking care that there are no air bubbles by pressing lightly with a damp lint free cloth. The pictures can, and should overlap to some extent. Let it dry.
- Brush on at least four coats (I used six) of water-based matte varnish, sanding lightly after each to remove bumps.
- After wiping to remove dust, finish with two coats of polyurethane varnish for extra toughness.
- Finish by giving the knobs a coat of primer, a couple of coats of paint and a couple of coats of oil-based varnish. Screw them onto the drawers from the back.
Tip: Give each picture a few moments to stretch after you apply glue. Then, as long as you avoid air bubbles, they will dry flat. Don't be worried by bubbles that seem to keep lifting, as they will flatten when the paper dries.
Have a great Easter weekend. I hope the Easter Bunny brings you lots of chocolate eggs. I'm hoping to make the most of this lovely sun. I'll see you on Wednesday.
These are creative- you could sell on etsy with a snap. Very creative!
ReplyAwww thank you so much sweetie. I love this fifties pin up style. Have a lovely weekend xxx
I really like this. Very retro.
ReplyX x
Thank you so much. I'm so glad you like it. I love this retro style. xxx
OMG its so adorable!!!! well done you, I absolutely love it xx
ReplyAwww thank you sweetie. I'm so pleased you like it. It now has pride of place on my dressing table xx
This looks amazing! Well done you! xx
ReplyThank you so much Andrea. I'm so glad you like it :-) xx