Your plants need sunlight, water and a stylish home to grow big and beautiful.
Plants freshen up your space with the additional bonus of health benefits and cleaner air. You can also use them as an interesting design element.
Copper, gold and silver leaf, a thin metal sheet that is a little like tissue paper, is a glitzy way to upgrade your planter. Plus, you can use just about any material you like, whether you're upcycling jars and cans or using store-bought terra cotta pots.
Materials:
A planter pot
Copper leaf foil*
Metal leaf adhesive
Metal leaf sealant
Paintbrush
Sponge brush
*Gold and silver leaf is also perfectly acceptable for this project. You can usually find the adhesive and sealant, along with sheets of gold leaf, in a kit for just over $10 at most art supply stores.
Step One:
Make sure your planter's surface is dry and clean. Apply your adhesive with the paintbrush in any design you'd like. You can paint shapes or keep it loose for a more rustic effect. Let the adhesive dry a little until it is slightly tacky.
Step Two:
Apply your metal leaf. Some sheet packs have peel-away, paper backing. If so, simply press the sheet, metal-size down and smooth the paper side with your fingers, a soft cloth or a dry paintbrush.
If you do not have paper backing, gently apply the sheet to avoid breakage and smooth with either a cloth or a brush. Your fingers may cause a lot of friction, so the least amount of pressure you use while applying, the better your results will be.
Step Three:
Make sure your metal leaf is firmly glued to your planter and wipe away any excess with either a brush or by peeling away the paper backing.
Step Four:
Apply a thin coat of sealant and allow to dry.
Now you're ready to pot your plants in their new, luxurious home.