As a furniture painter I love finding a piece with lots of curves, carvings and details which let me unleash my creativity and use lots of different mediums (for some ideas see my blog on finishing techniques). But when these pieces prove elusive, or expensive, I take a second look at vintage furniture that may have been passed over, knowing that I can makeover these plain Janes with decor molds.
Supplies
- Casting Resin
- Etruscan Rose Furniture Mould
- Cherry Blossom Furniture Mould
- Botanist Floral Furniture Mould
- Leafy Blossoms Furniture Mould
- Titebond II Wood Glue
Using these affiliate links does not increase your cost but it does support my business and allows me to continue to provide content free of charge
Just what are decor molds?
Not to be confused with moldy furniture (which I have had my fair share of!), furniture molds or “moulds” are often made of flexible silicone. You can find silicone molds at most craft stores, often in the cake decorating section, but I prefer designs specifically created for furniture and home decor. There are a wide array of styles but some of my favorites are florals. It is helpful to have a variety of sizes and shapes from the large Etruscan Rose and Leafy Blossoms to the rambling Cherry Blossom and smaller Botanist Floral leaves and blooms.
How to use molds to restyle furniture
I have used both white air-dry clay and casting resin and each has its own merits. Air dry clay is the more economical alternative and produces vintage looking cracks while drying. I generally prefer to use Alumilite Amazing Casting Resin which hardens quickly and is both durable and smooth. Follow the package instructions and be careful not to overfill the mold — you want a flat surface to glue to your furniture.
I use Titebond II wood glue, which is both water and heat resistant, to secure molds to my furniture. I have also used Stick Fast, a super glue adhesive, but Titebond allows you to slightly shift pieces if needed. Sometimes a few millimeters in one direction or the other makes all the difference in creating a cohesive look. You will want to have your piece flat as shown here, to prevent your molds from sliding as the glue dries.
Painting molds
I prefer to attach my molds prior to painting my furniture because I find it hard to paint them without getting paint all over myself! But you can also paint your furniture and molds separately, in fact this would be optimal if you would like to use a variety of colors.
