HOW TO HOW TO INSTANTLY GLAM UP YOUR FURNITURE MAKEOVERS WITH AN EASY TO USE GILDING PEN | YOUTUBE VIDEO
Hello, creative friends! Today I’m sharing a salvaged thrift dresser I transformed with paint, a floral transfer and a gilding pen. I got right into using this gold marker and even tried a new technique to highlight florals on the transfer. If you can hold a pencil, you can gild! I can’t wait to share how easy and gorgeous this is.
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Here’s the MCM laminate thrift dresser I started with. I’d have to double-check, but I believe I picked it up for $14.99.
When I got it home and inspected this piece and noticed two of the drawer sliders were broken.
The finish was also a little worn on the feet and a few other areas, but nothing a little TLC can’t fix up.
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WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Thrift Store Dresser – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
Sanding Sponge
Bonding Boss Primer
Deep Sea Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint
Gold Gilding Marker Pen
Oval Paint Brush
My Favorite Bouquet Transfer
THRIFT DRESSER MAKEOVER
CLEAN & PREP
I started by removing the hardware, giving it a good cleaning with a heavy-duty furniture cleaner to clean it from top to bottom. I used Bondo to fill all the hardware holes and dings and scratches, sanded, and then primed with Bonding Boss Primer to stop any bleedthrough and give it a base for the paint to cling onto.
REPAIRS
To repair the broken drawer rail/slide, I screwed them in tight and used Woodglue to glue the backing in. Then from the back of this dresser, I used a nail gun to nail them in as well. I’ll have the full demo on the YouTube video tutorial below.
PAINTING
Once everything was repaired, patched, primed and dry I picked my paint color. I painted this dresser in two coats of this beautiful deep blue called Deep Sea SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint. I used my brush and roll technique for a smooth brush free finish. Its about as close as you can get to a spray finish without using a sprayer. I have a full tutorial on the Brush And Roll Technique HERE.
For a smooth spray like finish on the rounded legs, I used my slap-it-on technique. It’s fun to do and works so well for any cylindrical furniture legs, arms, spindles etc.
APPLYING THE FURNITURE TRANSFER
This gorgeous, large floral transfer has been waiting for the perfect piece. This four drawer dresser had such a flat face I wanted to add something bold and colorful. Working with larger transfers designs with NO negative space can be a little challenging if you want to use them in pieces rather than the full design. I took my time cutting out the florals and then ‘played’ with the pieces and where I was going to adhere them.
Here are the steps I used to rub on these florals.
Applying Floral Transfer:
- Cut the design into pieces if you are not using the full design sheet.
- Lay the design down over your piece to select your placement.
- Remove the transfer backing, place it on the furniture and rub on with the applicator provided.
- Once adhered, remove the plastic top sheet.
I have a full detailed tutorial on How To Rub On Transfers HERE, including video.
DETAILS – GILDING PEN 101
I had so much fun playing around with this ‘new-to-me’ gilding marker/pen. It’s simple to use. I took it out of the package and gave it a good shake. To prime the gold to come out of the tip, I pressed it down a few times so the felt tip loaded. Then it’s EXACTLY like using a pencil, pen, or marker. The chisled tip creates thin lines and you can angle it for thicker lines. This gold marker is perfect for highlighting smaller details, hardware and edging. It works on painted furniture, glass, rocks, metal, paper, transfers and hardware.
I found these beautiful floral knobs that I had bought from Hobby Lobby years ago. To highlight all these lovely details, I ran the gilding marker over the high areas to create some bling. It totally transformed these knobs in under 2 minutes.
Once they were dry, I installed them onto the drawer using my cheap and cheerful hardware template. Catherine made a request over on YouTube for a tutorial on how I use it so I’ve included that on in the YouTube video as well. This is seriously the best $7 investment I’ve made. It makes installing handles and knobs soooo easy!
I also tried this gilding pen on metal. The bottom of the legs had the finish half sanded off and was looking rough. The gilding marker to two coats (3 coats in certain areas where the finish was silver) but it did a really nice job.
For the final details, I took a creative chance and traced the floral design using this gilding pen. I’m not going to lie, I was NERVOUS doing this because I thought it might ruin the entire piece. But nothing gained from playing it safe all the time, right?
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What a bold statement piece! It is absolutely beautiful. I admire your talent and risk-it approach for this. Applause!
Yay! 😃 Thank you Jewels! XOXO
Beautiful!! I’m working on a piece that I think the gold pen detail will be nice. Your timing of this post is perfect.
Question: did you put a varnish /clear matte coat over the furniture paint or floral design?
Is there a way I can email other questions? Thanks
Hi Tanya! You can email me at [email protected] and great questions re the topcoat. I have not topcoated yet. The Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint includes the topcoat so the painted dresser does not require anything more. The transfer could use protection tho. My friend Do at Do Dodson Designs mentioned that some topcoats (like Gator Hide) dull the gold shimmer of the gilding pen so I won’t be using matte. Maybe a clear wax buffed up nicely, not sure yet. ?? 🤔
Hi Denise. WOW!!! I’m in love with this piece. It’s pure perfection. And brilliant adding the gold details.
Aw, thank you my friend! I had a lot of fun playing around with the gilding marker!
That is simply stunning!
Thank you Tracey, I’m so glad you like it! 🤗
You really have a gift (enriched by lots of diligent work!) for elevating not-too-attractive castoffs into lovely, unique pieces. I was drawn by the original hardware on this dresser, but your replacements work beautifully. The final piece is gorgeous.
I’ve been eager to try transfers, but had back luck with the backings coming off while unrolling them — most of the images stuck to the unglossy side of the backing paper, leaving me no complete images to work with. I’m going to watch your video tutorial this weekend to see what the transfers should look like coming out of the tube, how to unroll them, and how to store them. Your videos are always instructive.
Hi Cyndel and thank you, happy you like this makeover – not happy that you’ve had such bad luck with your transfers tho. Hmmm, I’m curious if it’s a storage issue. I had a few transfers that were delivered to me (in the freezing cold of winter) and I didn’t bring the box in right away. When I applied them, I had no issues however they started splitting and peeling off the furniture, ugggh. Can I ask what brand of transfers you’ve had this issue with?
Ohhhhh, I would have been so nervous also !! I’m so glad You are brave.
It looks wonderful. Just the right amount of bling. Did you use a sealer over everything ? Love all the colors.
Nice touch with the knobs too.
You are always inspiring.
Hi P!! 🤗 Yes, I was hoping I wouldn’t ruin the entire front but I was having fun… so I just went with it and so glad I did! I have not sealed yet. I’m letting the transfer and paint sit for 24 hours and then I’ll decide. The SILK paint doesn’t need protection but I’d like to seal the transfer – especially if I’m going to sell. As I mentioned to Tanya, Do at Do Dodson Designs mentioned that some topcoats (like Gator Hide) dull the gold shimmer of the gilding pen so I won’t be using a matte or Gator Hide. I’m not sure yet but great question!
WOW, stunning before and after Denise! Everything works together beautifully and the subtle glitzy gold on the flowers is perfection!
Thanks so much Nicki! I’m so happy you like it! XOXO
Beautiful!
Thanks Cheryl! 🤗
WOW OH WOW! What a stunning piece you have done!! I love the shade of blue you used, and the knobs are really perfect. It was great to see that you used the gilding pen on the transfer! I have done that on a couple of pieces and it was a real hit. People were surprised when the light hit the design. Kudos Denise.
Aw, thanks so much Caye and what a great idea, right?! I was so nervous about doing it because I thought I was going to muck it up but I’m so happy it turned out. I wish I had known you’ve done this. I could have reached out and had some reassurance it would all work out! 😆
So exquisite!!! Love the color and the decoupage.
Thank you Fran! 🤗
Leave it up to you to find the perfect use for the gold marker pen. Amazing! It added just the right touch to that transfer. Beautiful makeover, friend. I hope you have a beautiful week. xo 😘 Pinned!
Thanks Do!! I was nervous ‘drawing’ on such a beautiful transfer😳 …but I had so much fun with it! Thanks for the PIN and wishing you a beautiful week as well! XOXO