With house plants making a serious comeback in home decor we thought we would add a little greenery to a reclaimed furniture project. Decor transfers are so easy to use and pair perfectly with Mango Paint to give an old piece of furniture a fresh new look!
Here is a quick 5 step guide to using decor transfers:
Step 1: Come up with a plan and choose a decor transfer that suits your design. We just love using the Re-Design by Prima transfers! Did you know we carry a wonderful selection of decor transfers at Mango Reclaimed? Click here to view our Decor Transfer selection.
These super easy to use rub-on transfers adhere to a wide variety of projects, including painted furniture and home decor items. I mean, just look how cute these mason jars are with a little floral decal added:
Step 2: Ensure your surface is clean and dry so you can arrange your design. If you are applying to freshly painted surface be sure to wipe gently to remove any dust on the surface. Re-Design with Prima Transfers come in a handy storage tube that keeps them wrinkle free and is also a great place to store any left over transfer pieces for your next project.
Fun fact: did you know that you can cut out different size designs from your transfer to perfectly suit your project? Here we used a small flower motif to decorate a painted book cover:
Step 3: Once you have decided how you want to lay out your design, peel the protective film from the back of the transfer and gently press it onto your project. Be mindful that they are quite sticky so you are not generally able to move or reposition them once they have been placed.
Step 4: Use a flat (but not sharp) object to gently rub the transfer onto the surface. I find it easiest to star in the middle and work my way out to the edges. I also like to apply low to medium pressure to start - then when I know it is well in place I go back over and apply more pressure overall. The decor transfers come with a small wooden application tool in the tube - however the larger plastic transfer tool (sold separately) is also really handy!
Here is what the larger transfer tool looks like:
Step 5: Small sections at a time, begin to peel back the transfer paper to ensure your design is well adhered. If you notice it is not fully transferred yet, just push the paper back down and reapply pressure. Once the entire paper is removed - stand back and admire your work of art!
Oh! And incase your wondering (I know you are!), the colour we used on the frame of this cute dresser is called Valerie.
Did you know we also have tutorial videos on how to use Mango Paint?
Click here to learn how to use Mango Paint to transform your next project!
I really love how this dresser turned out and I can’t wait to try this technique again on another project soon. Not to mention, these plants practically take care of themselves, haha! (Like, I don’t have to water them - which means they will keep looking fresh for years to come, lol!)
I hope you found this helpful. Stay tuned for more ‘how-to’ articles coming out soon.
Is there something you would like us to teach you? Leave us a comment below!