Caxton magazines staffUpcycling pro Sacha Olivier shows you how you can use a fashionable geometric paint effect to give an old trunk a fresh feel
DRAWING THE DIAMOND PATTERN:
- Make sure that your trunk is clean.
- The easiest way to create a diamond pattern is to start by drawing a grid.
- Measure the height of the front panel of your trunk. Using this measurement, work out how many rows of equal height you can create; I was able to create two rows. Using a ruler and a pencil, draw horizontal lines to mark the rows.
- Measure the width of the front panel of your trunk. Using this measurement, work out how many columns of equal width you can create. I was able to create 10 columns, but for a more interesting look I decided to start and end my grid with a half width column. Using a ruler and a pencil, draw vertical lines to mark the columns.
- Now that you’ve drawn your grid, measure and mark the centre point of each side of each rectangle (top, bottom, left and right).
- Using a ruler, draw angled lines connecting the central marks to create diamond shapes.
- Repeat the process on the other sides of your trunk.
PAINTING YOUR TRUNK:
- To create a harlequin effect, you’ll need to paint certain diamond shapes, leaving the ones in between with their original wooden finish.
- Using masking tape, outline the diamond shapes that you’d like to paint. For a professional look, it’s important that the masking tape is straight and pushed down well so that the paint won’t bleed underneath it. Repeat the process on the other sides of your trunk.
- Using a small sponge/foam brush, fill in the diamond shapes with paint; I used Plascon Double Velvet in Grecian White. Repeat the process on the other sides of your trunk and allow the paint to dry.
- Gently peel off the masking tape and use steel wool to lightly rub over the painted diamonds to give them an aged look and smooth out the paint lines.
- Wax the trunk with floor wax to protect the paint effect.
