The Gathered Home

A Blog about Finding and Making

White and Gold Leaf Credenza Makeover

by

I kept you guys waiting on this one, because I kept myself waiting on it.

There were too many choices. There were too many amazing suggestions

I second-guessed myself into paralysis.

I’ve always had this idea of myself as a visionary – an intuitive decision-maker who always knows exactly what she wants and who clearly sees the outcome before even taking any steps to accomplish it. Well that’s hilarious.

I bit my nails for a week over this. I went and bought paint and supplies and they waited in their plastic bags in my entryway for days. I primed the credenza. It sat for days.

You see the problem was this:

In my heart of hearts I did know exactly what I wanted. But my heart of hearts was also worried that what I wanted was boring. Not like all those fabulous inspiration pieces on my Credenza Love pin board….

 Oh look, she painted it white. Big deal.

 Part of me wanted it to be flashy. A statement piece. What can I say? I wanted you guys to be impressed. I wanted to be “that girl with the really awesome DIY credenza.”

But then, I remembered that I am *not* in first grade carefully picking out the perfect Lisa Frank folders that will compose my identity as a person.

Funny how you could just lose twenty years like that, right? Twenty years of becoming comfortable in your own skin, with your own frizzy hair, and your own funny sense of style… Learning to be you. Discovering that you have an inner minimalist.

 So in a fit of devil-may-care, I painted it white.

And to appease my inner-art-deco-crazed personality, I added some gold leaf. Naturally.

And you know what? I am really pleased with how it turned out. I like that it doesn’t overwhelm that wall and it keeps the room feeling light and airy.

Also, I love my little Target foxes…

As if this little journey of self-discovery wasn’t convoluted enough, there was more to learn about myself.

Like the fact that I do not have the patience for gold leaf.

I may or may not have been toying with the idea of creating a design on the top of the credenza with gold leaf… And then, when those straight sides on the front of the piece took up my entire Sunday afternoon, I promptly discarded it.

There were horrible flashbacks to crafts in kindergarten. Where you raise your hands, covered in paste, squares of tissue paper stuck to every finger, colors bleeding from the paper… When all you ever wanted was to make a stained-glass window.

If you’re considering gold leafing something at some point in your future (and why not, it’s simply gorgeous?) I’ve created a simple quiz to help you make the decision…

My quiz is title “Is Gold Leafing For You?”

Question 1: Are you a perfectionist?

If yes —> Gold leaf is probably not for you. Step away from the glue. Slowly.

There, wasn’t that fun? We’ve just come full circle from first grade insecurities to kindergarten crafting-trauma, which I consider a good day’s work, my friends.


 So tell me – Is gold leafing for you? Do you have fond memories of Lisa Frank school supplies as well? Anyone else with childhood crafting scars? What do you think of the way the credenza turned out?
Brynne

Update: I have since become a HUGE fan of gold leaf! Check out these other metal leaf projects I’ve done:

metal leaf projects4

Black and Gold Leaf Art | Agate Slice and Copper Sconces | Metallic Pillow Covers
Gold Leaf Embellished Curtains | Anthropologie-Inspired Giraffe Trinket Dish

Comments

  5. Becky says

    That looks amazing! And I love how the gold leaf picks up accents from the rest of the room. Specifically it pops against that couch!

  6. Christina O says

    It's gorgeous! I think the white and gold is the perfect choice for your living room.

    I'm a perfectionist, until I start to get tired of a project, then I just want it done. I guess gold leaf isn't for me…good to know! 🙂

  8. PattyM says

    This past spring I painted a reclaimed pine cabinet white and edged the top with gold leaf similar to the Eloquence Royale Gilt cabinet from Layla Grayce. I was so please with the way it turned out that I painted another cabinet black and applied gold leaf to the majority of the surface similar to this piece. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/156429787030471262/
    Although it was a lot of work, I love how it turned out. I used dark wax to protect the finish which toned down the glitz a little. Also when I buffed the wax some of the gold leaf lifted off, exposing the red primer underneath so it looks like a well worn antique piece.
    If you ever try it again, I would recommend using the gold leaf that is backed with a piece of plastic, making it easier to apply, and to wear cotton gloves which will help with the stickiness issue. Lastly, it doesn't have to be perfect. If you miss spots, just apply more adhesive and scraps of the gold leaf. It all blends if you burnish it. Don't give up yet! There are some good You Tube tutorials that can help.

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      Patty, that's wonderful advice! I love that pin – I was originally thinking of doing something similar with the credenza's doors, but decided I didn't have the patience 😉 I'd love to see pictures of your gold-leafed cabinets!

  12. Tiffany McCormick says

    I just found your blog (and facebook and pinterest) and I am OBSESSED!!! I just love everything you have posted! (In fact, I love it so much I stayed up waaaaay too late looking at all your blog posts!) This credenza is fantastic! I love the "inner-art-deco-crazed-Scarface personality" pop of gold!

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      Thank you Tiffany! Your comment is the type of comment that makes me float through my day on a sugar-high and smile really really wide and drag my husband over to the computer while cooing "She likes me! She really really likes me!" It's so nice to meet you and I promise I'm not a creepy stalker who is secretly trying to find your address so I can come give you a hug in person 😉