Sometimes the smallest of details can add real pizzazz to home decorating.
Switch plate covers are present in every room in the house, so why not substitute plain old covers with those that make a statement.
Using a variety of techniques, you can dress up your switch plate covers to reflect elegance, whimsy, glitz or holiday themes.
We tried four different methods for this week’s Craft Corner column, all of which turned out pleasantly and were very simple to do.
For our first set, we decided to add gold glitter to gold metal plate covers for a festive holiday look.
All we did was apply a layer of decoupage medium to the front of each cover, sprinkle on the glitter, tap off the excess and spray with a fixative spray to seal.
When using glitter, always use a piece of newspaper to cover your work surface. That way, you can save the excess glitter by pouring it (or spooning it) into a small funnel and back into the glitter container.
Our second set of covers called for decorative paper and sepia-toned decoupage medium.
We selected a bark-look paper to give wooden covers a rustic appearance.
To proceed, cut a piece of paper to fit the face of each cover, apply a layer of decoupage medium to the back of the paper and affix it to the cover.
Don’t worry about covering the holes, you’ll cut them out later.
Apply one or two coats of sepia-toned decoupage medium to the cover and let dry completely.
When the covers are dry, use an X-acto knife to carefully trim the paper from the holes.
To make set No. 3, we used lilac and oak leaf rub-ons on wooden covers and sealed with sepia-toned decoupage medium.
Rub-ons come in an array of designs and cost between $1.99 and $5.99 per sheet, depending on size and style.
Follow the rub-on package directions and apply the design to the wooden covers, then coat with one or two layers of sepia-toned decoupage medium.
Regular Craft Corner readers know all about our obsession with little mirror pieces, so our fourth set of switch plate covers should come as no surprise.
We began with a set of silver metal covers and applied little mirrors to each piece using quick-dry tacky glue.
We’re not quite sure in which room these glitzy covers will end up, but they’re sure to add some dazzle wherever they land.
You can e-mail Jonetta Coffin at jrocoffin@aol.com.
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