This thing happens to me when I’m in Ikea where I kind of go on a bonanza of DIY possibilities. They have such a great selection of simple pieces in the marketplace and I can’t help but want to put a DIY finish on everything in sight. Last time we went I grabbed a set of these chopping boards because they were just begging for something. I wasn’t sure what yet, so they sat in my closet for a while, just waiting for their turn. The other day I pulled them out and they finally got a little upgrade that I love! It’s a quickie project but it turns out beautifully, and you kind of can’t mess it up. Perfect.
Materials
- wood chopping boards with handles like these
- craft paint
- gold leaf adhesive
- gold leaf sheets
- paintbrushes
- masking or washi tape
Make Time: 10 Minutes per Board (Plus Drying Time)
Step 1: Use tape to mask off  the handle of the board. Paint a layer of craft paint on the unmasked area of the handle. Allow it to dry and paint on another coat if necessary.
Step 2: Remove the masking tape and allow the paint to dry completely.
Step 3: Mask off another portion of the handle, toward the tip. Paint the tip of the handle with gold leaf adhesive. Be careful to just use a thin layer; don’t allow it to pool.
Step 4: Allow the adhesive to dry for about a minute, or until tacky to the touch.
Step 5: Press a sheet of gold leaf only over the area of adhesive. Burnish the sheet with your finger so that the leaf firmly adheres. Pull away the sheet with the excess gold.
Step 6: With a clean, dry paintbrush, dust away the excess gold leaf until the board is clean.
Ta-daaaa! These are so pretty for so many things — cheese boards, small serving trays, a little fall gift for a friend, or just for styling in photos. (I have a feeling you’ll be seeing these pop up here and there around these parts!) Just be sure if you use them as serving trays you don’t allow the food to come in contact with the paint or gold leaf. Also, wash by hand and don’t get the gold wet. Hope you try these little beauties! xoxo
