I found these botanical prints at the flea market and I fell in love with the bright chartreuse, almost neon green matting!
I wasn't the hugest fan of the forest green painted frames (or rather, I didn't like the color combo - I am a fan of forest green in general). So I bought them with the plan to change the frame color. I think black would have looked great, but I really wanted to bring some gold over to the entry console area.
Have you ever used these gold leaf pens
? I might be a little obsessed with them. I've been adding gold detailing on furniture and mirrors like a mad woman. It's an addiction really.
? I might be a little obsessed with them. I've been adding gold detailing on furniture and mirrors like a mad woman. It's an addiction really.
I used the Krylon leafing pen to make the botanical frames gold. So much better than dark green! I didn't bother to take apart the frames (they were professionally framed and had kraft paper backings I didn't want to mess with). The good news is it is so crazy-easy to paint frames with glass or mirror. The glass sort of repels the paint most of the time, and 100% of the time you can get off the paint with a little windex and a razor blade.
Also, a couple of you asked about the console. You must be newbies! Here's the post on painting a cheapie dresser with Behr's Billiards Table in high gloss.
Huge difference. Love the gold, especially with the green/blue chest.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I never would have thought to pick up those prints in a store, but they look amazing!
ReplyDeleteI have a few of these pens that I generally use on greeting cards, etc. Would've never occurred to me to paint a frame with them. You think of everything!
ReplyDeleteThat pen is fantastic!! I need one of those! I love the chartreuse matting as well. Works so well with other colors.
ReplyDeleteChristina
it's a beautiful color! Thanks for the tip with the pen. I may get a little crazy myself...
ReplyDeleteLove the outcome! I go a little crazy with the Antique gold Rub N' Buff sometimes.
ReplyDeleteSo much cleaner than rub 'n buff. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo excited to see you like them, I know I'll be gold leafing like crazy now hahah!
ReplyDeletexoxo
eileen
That is really perfect. I am definitely going to use this trick on a little photo frame on my desk.
ReplyDeleteUh-Oh, I can see this (gold-leaf pens) being dangerous for me!
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, I used some Rub-n-Buff gold leaf to do the same thing, but I might like a pen better. I'll have to give it a try. And where did you get your horn bowl? I've seen them at Jayson Home and keep thinking I need one, but if there's a better source I'll definitely check it out. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteEvery single dang time you are killing me with your smarts and know how. Also with those cutie fingernails? How do you always manage to have them so nicely painted????
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! The frames look fantastic! And I have a project where that pen will come in very handy!! Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteAhhh, some of those pens are coming home with me!
ReplyDeletenow that is a pen i can get behind. LOVE it. i'm guessing they have other colors too??
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip I'm definitely going to have to do this. The frames look gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWow...I love the gold...it really makes them pop!! =)
ReplyDeleteLemanie's Randomness Blog
Jenny, it's because of posts like these that I subscribe to your blog. You are a master at envisioning the possibilities in something! And on top of that, your solutions are usually simple... Or at least you make it look that way. Thank you for sharing all these little gems with me over the past few years.
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS!!! You have completely inspired me! Off thrifting I go!
ReplyDeleteI am going to go big on gold leafing and the pens are perfect! Sorry all I cannot deal with the sheets of gold and silver leaf...a mess whenever I try a project with it.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Brilliant idea, Jenny! Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteAmazing transformation! Love it, and I just ordered two pens from Amazon!
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know these pens existed. Erika is right, you do think of everything.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this! I'm wanting to paint everything gold these days.
ReplyDeleteI love the gold leaf pens. I picked one up to detail a dresser because I didn't trust having a steady hand with a little paint brush. It was just the ticket. I love the arrangement on your console.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely transformation! I've been following your blog for a few months now and have already earmarked a few projects to undertake after I move next week! This is certainly one of them.
ReplyDeleteAlso, which flea market(s) do you frequent in NY? I haven't had much luck in my few excursion, but am eager to keep looking and would love a little direction.
Oh I love gold pens, and you did a beautiful job here. I love the way you arranged them on the chest. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
xoxo
what an amazing and simple project! thanks again, jenny!
ReplyDeleteKnowing me, I'd have to be careful with one of those pens. I'd end up with a gold leaf toothbrush if I get carried away.
ReplyDeleteI tried your windex and razor blade tip last time i painted a mirror and somehow the razorblade totally scratched my mirror! It wasn't a big deal and I'm sure I did something wrong, but you might want to add a little "be careful!!" disclaimer for special people like me :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing change. I love it. A gold leaf pen-you just changed my life! Sounds a little easier than my good friend "rub n buff".
ReplyDeleteIt looks gorgeous! I'm going to have to get me one of those pens!
ReplyDeleteThat's such a gorgeous little table! Love the color.
ReplyDeleteHere's a quick question I didn't see answered in the post you linked to-- did you paint it with brush or roller? Do you have a preference? I painted some furniture for the first time the other day and I ended u[ with a lot of brush-marks... but the roller didn't give a smooth finish, either. So what's your technique to ending up with such a glossy, smooth table?
You rock! So creative. Where'd you get the new hardware on the console dresser?
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get that gorgeous red lampshade?? Absolutely LOVE.
ReplyDeleteJenny, you should take a poll about how many of your readers actually do any of the things you show us how to do on your blog, versus people like me, who simply enjoy reading about your creativity and resourcefulness at work, and convince ourselves that one of these days, we will actually do something in our own lives with these terrific ideas you share with us.
ReplyDeleteDid you have to order the pen online, or do they have them at Michaels or other similar stores?
ReplyDeleteHow long does the ink last in one pen? I just bought a 22x28 inch mirror with about a 3 inch frame. I thought I might give these pens a try instead of using rub'n'buff or spray paint.
ReplyDeletewhitneykayestyles.blogspot.com
thanx for the link to the previous post on the chest and the details today! I pulled out my Behr samples and can't beleive what LOOKS like DEEP TURQUOISE on my monitor is actually a deep GREEN!!! Please tell me it is not just the lighting but actually looks the color on the monitor. I did not want to use a deep green .....but on the screen it looks like the elusive color I cannot find.
ReplyDeletei am really loving the lamp here as well - i poked around for awhile looking for a source on old posts, but couldn't find anything? i promise i tried :)
ReplyDeleteThe gold definitely looks better than the forest green. And I'll have to pick up a couple of those pens. Working with gold leaf is just way too much of a pain.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing idea!! Thanks for sharing. Also I don't know how i never really noticed it before but i am absolutely smitten over that lamp!
ReplyDeleteJenny,
ReplyDeleteYou and your blog are AMAZING!!! What is so unique about you is how you have so much "high end style" but figure out a way for regular people to achieve the same look for less. I read your blog every single morning w/ my cup of coffee and I have to tell you that I am disappointed when you don't post - stalker anyone?
I'm shocked that no one has asked you where you got the orange lamp shade!!! I love it. I've looked through your archives and can't find a post about it. Hope you have the time to share your source or how you did it yourself.
Keep up the amazing work - you are one of a kind. And I have no idea how you have time to sleep with all that you do.
Rock on!
Jena
I love the color of the dresser!!!!! What a beautiful green.
ReplyDeleteWow, amazing transformation. Definitely must pick up one.
ReplyDeleteOh my Heck ... what a great find! I need one of those pens!!!
ReplyDeleteJenny, I love the gold so much! I have to tell you that the vignette you created is one my favorites I've seen in a long time. The table, the accessories, all of it! Seriously, it speaks to me and I love it!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I have to get one of those pens!
ReplyDeleteHuge difference!! So good!
ReplyDeletekisses from Italy
http://labellavitalowcost.blogspot.com/
Love it! Thank you for posting this. I've been wanting to use a gold leaf pen for a while. I have gold leaf fever:)
ReplyDeletethanks for this! Gold is so hard to get the right color. I've been wanting to try gold leafing, but it seems like a chore, and I haven't had the motivation to do it. I did wonder how well those pens work. I'll have to try it now!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the Gold leaf pen! Gold is so classic and fun to use. I think your frames look amazing! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteLOVE these prints! Really love the modern pop of chartreuse yellow/green - and the subtly of the prints - lovely contrast and an overall beautiful grouping!
ReplyDeleteI love all the layers on your entry table! It's looking great.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds fun! Sorta like Modern Masters Metallic paint which I discovered just recently via Hi Sugarplum blog. Just sponge on. Gorgeous. Also have Rub N Buff, antique gold, love it. So a gold pen is out there too??!!
ReplyDeleteYou have me totally sold on the gold! Just a little touch that makes it amazing... like the red border on the photo.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't mind me asking, where did you get the bowl with your keys in it?
I bought a G-leaf pen recently too- and was super psyched at the result!! I used it to "gold leaf" 2 spider crab shells I found recently on a beach combing adventure.
ReplyDeleteThe frames look GREAT!
I hadn't ever heard of a leafing pen before... you smartie pants you!!
ReplyDeleteLove these frames! Agree with Jess - which flea markets do you like to go to in NYC? Which one did you find these at?
ReplyDeleteI go to the Antiques Garage in Chelsea almost every weekend. It's so good!
ReplyDeletexx
I also have gold fever lately. I just spray painted really nice antique turquoise hooks from Anthropologie for my closet. Now all my fun J.Crew, Anthro and vintage necklaces are hanging from it in my closet. I also have a lot of black frames from pottery barn that looked great years ago in my old home but am not thinking of switching to gold. Problem is there's no detailing on the frames- do you think I could pull off the gold look on thick plain pottery barn frames?
ReplyDeleteThis gold pen works! just love it. Did a frame in it and it's just beautiful and SO easy to use. thank you for this tip, have never seen this product and found it in Michael's!
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