In honor of Earth Day, we’re celebrating the joy of upcycling. The feeling that comes from repurposing discarded items into something absolutely charming. What if we could see the objects we upcycle through their life stages, the hands that used them, and the moments they were part of? Wouldn't that be a delight? In a way, upcycling bygone items preserves and honors the history of those pieces. Isn’t that beautiful? It’s also a sweet way to give back to the environment by creating darling decor and handmade gifts from something that’s lived a long life. ♥️

Over time, wooden cutting boards get scratched, stained, and sometimes a tad scorched from one too many close calls with the oven. 😉 What if we gave them a fresh start instead of tossing them out or passing them by on a thrift store shelf?

Maybe your cutting board is a little too weathered to be food-safe anymore, or perhaps it’s served its purpose and could use a fresh start. Either way, this project is all about taking forgotten treasures and making them beautiful again.

So grab that wooden cutting board, your favorite IOD paint inlay, and let’s turn something overlooked into something absolutely lovely. 💛

IOD Products Needed: 

• Portofino Paint Inlay
• IOD Brayer
• IOD Thin Mount (optional)

Other Supplies: 

• Soft White Chalk Paint
• Thrifted Cutting Board
• Misting Bottle

*we used a chalk-type paint in this tutorial, but there are many brands and types of paint. Talk to your stockist to learn which one is right for you!

Step-by-Step Guide

STEP ONE: CLEAN UP YOUR CUTTING BOARD

If you’re like me, your thrifted cutting board came complete with charred bottoms (oops!). Start by sanding away those crispy bits. Or maybe yours had a busy life full of chopping duties; in that case, sand down any deep knife marks to get a fresh start. Once it’s nice and smooth, wipe away any leftover dust with a damp cloth.

STEP TWO: PAINT YOUR CUTTING BOARD

Next, let's give it a fresh coat of paint! We chose a soft white chalk paint. Be generous—if you’re not getting great coverage, use a second coat before you get started with your inlay, letting it dry thoroughly in between.

STEP THREE: ARRANGE YOUR COMPOSITION

Now for your inlay! First things first, let's plan our composition. We started by picking one of the larger designs and placing it in the center as our focal point. Then, we snipped the lemon trim into charming little bunches to adorn the corners. Our cutting board was a tad wide, so we filled in the empty spots with some extra little bits to fill the negative space.

Quick tip: Snap a picture of your layout before you start applying. That way you’ll have something to refer to once you get started!

STEP FOUR: SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS

Once you’re happy with your layout, gently set your pieces to the side (we like to have a thin mount down just so you aren’t getting water misted on your work surface, but that’s optional). You'll want your paint close by and your inlay pieces lined up and ready to go. We want the paint nice and saturated for the best results, so we want to be quick but not rushed!

STEP FIVE: APPLY THE PAINT INLAYS

Brush on a fairly thick, even coat of paint. Mist a light spray over your inlays, then flip them so the painted surface is face down, and lay them into your wet paint. We like a brayer to really smooth out the edges and ensure good, even contact with the paint.

Keep going with the rest of your pieces. If any of them overlap, the paint will transfer onto the back of the next piece. Sometimes that’s exactly what you want (like a built-in mask!), but if not, go ahead and trim your pieces nice and neat so they all fit without touching. Repeat until your full design is in place. 

STEP SIX: REMOVE THE INLAYS

Since we're working with chalk paint, there's no rush—take your time! We’ve found that letting it dry longer gives you better results. When we tried to peel too soon, the paint didn’t always adhere the way we wanted. For this one, we let it dry for about three hours under a fan before peeling.

Once completely dry, grab your misting bottle and give the surface a light, even spray. Then, gently start to peel. If it feels like it’s tugging a bit, add a little more water, but not too much! Too much water can puddle and smudge your design.

Peel off all your inlays one by one. If one spot didn’t quite take, no worries! Just dab on a bit more paint before you finish peeling, smooth it back down, and let it dry before you try again.

STEP SEVEN: SEAL YOUR PROJECT

Voila! Once everything’s dry and looking lovely, it’s time to seal. We recommend using a roller or a spray sealer to finish things off—using a brush can reactivate the paint and risk smudging all that beautiful detail. Keep it light and even, and you’re all set!

If you're just kicking off your creative journey, have no fear — our Product 101 pages are packed with straightforward techniques to set you up for success. We're thrilled to accompany you as you explore and create. For more how-tos and creative inspo, make sure to browse through the rest of our blog.

Once you've crafted your final piece, share it with our Facebook Creative Tribe! This community is not just a showcase but also a supportive hub for when you hit those creative roadblocks. And remember, your local stockist is always ready to assist with IOD supplies and expert advice. We're excited to see what you'll bring to life!