Few days ago while I was sitting in a corner of my home I looked at my old closet and couldn’t help but wonder how I don’t really like its decrepit appearance and how it would be good to think of some idea to improve its look and give this closet a quick “redesign”. Then I remembered my friend mentioning decoupage technique.
Decoupage technique is the art of decorating furniture that dates as early as the 12th century. Romanticism artists used this technique to adorn castles and luxurious homes of rich noble families.
All you need for this simple technique are varnish, glue, water-based acrylic paints, paint brush, paper napkins and a special sealer. Decoupage technique can involve materials like wood, plastic, glass, metal, fabrics, paper. The very procedure is simple, however, it does require much effort, practice and patience above all (each layer needs to be dried completely before proceeding!) and concentration too (paper-cuts should have as smooth edges as possible so as not to deform while being glued). Since decoupage technique has become very popular, there are many stores equipped with everything one may need for this.
And, the procedure is this: An object for decoration is firstly painted with an acrylic paint and left to dry out, and if necessary, this step is once again repeated. Cut out your decorative motif and lay this piece onto the area to which you applied glue. Motif(s) should be carefully laid onto the object and immediately smoothed out with fingers or a paint-brush and once again glued rubbing outward from the centre to the edges so to avoid bending or crumpling. To keep the motif neat, you shouldn’t be using too much glue.
Few more instructions:
*When decoupaging glass, motif and paint are applied on the reverse side and naturally, the paint is applied after the motif.
*In order to protect the objects, seal the decoupage with a couple of coats of appropriate sealant, for example, acrylic spray for glass.
*Paper napkins should be well ironed prior usage in order to stick better to a glue and look better (insert a piece of paper between the napkin and iron so you don’t damage the motif).
* Motifs can always be more decorated with colours, glitters or other decorations than can enliven simple motifs.
Decoupage is very interesting and a lot of fun. I haven’t yet chosen my motif, since I still search for an ideal one – but inspiration is always somewhere, so when I find the one, I’ll write…