Want to add some sparkle to your holiday table? We’ve been seeing layered table looks everywhere and decided to give chargers a try with chalkboard paint and a gold laurel design.
The secret weapon of this project is the gold leaf pen. It’s so much better than a paint pen, and gives a smooth, super shiny look. This one will have a place in our DIY tool kit for a long, long time.
Read on to see how it’s done and for the brushstroke gold leaf variation we tried too.
Supplies:
Inexpensive Chargers (We paid about $2 each)
Chalkboard Paint
Paintbrush
Chalk
For variation: Gold Leaf Kit
How to Make Chalkboard Gold Laurel Chargers
1. Paint chargers with chalkboard paint. It took us about 3 coats to get good coverage.
And yes, we realize the irony in painting over plates that are already gold, but gold happened to be the cheapest option when we were shopping.
2. Draw a circle around the edge of the charger.
Don’t fret! Any imperfections will blend in when we add the leaves.
3. Draw on leaves all facing the same direction and slightly staggered on alternating sides. This petite laurel design is perfect for harvest time.
4. Continue around the whole circle.
5. Use chalk to write a festive message, or write names for a personalized place card.
Now for the gold leaf variation!
How to Make Brushstroke Gold Leaf Chargers
This time we’re using real gold leaf for an arty high-shine look.
1. Grab the adhesive from your gold leaf kit and paint it on in your desired pattern.
2. Wait a few minutes until the adhesive is tacky. You’ll know it’s ready when most of the white has disappeared.
3. Lay gold leaf sheets down covering all of the adhesive. Gently pat into place with a soft cloth or gloves.
4. Let adhesive dry for several hours and then brush away excess gold leaf.
If you missed any spots, you can brush on a little adhesive and stick on more gold leaf. We were going for an imperfect look, so we left it as-is.
5. Ta-Da! Give your Thanksgiving tablescape some glow with these chargers uncovered, or layer other dishes on top!
Please note: These chargers are for decor only. Even unpainted, the label says they’re not safe for food. Do not put them in the dishwasher or microwave. Just wipe clean carefully with a damp cloth if they need it.
Want More DIY Fun?
Check out all of our Crafty At Home projects on the blog and on YouTube!
