Every step is right here.

IOD Products:

🎨 Little Lark

🎨 Alfred Peats & Co.

Additional Supplies

✨ Fusion mineral paint - midnight blue

✨ Fusion mineral paint - paisley

✨ Fusion mineral paint - raw silk

✨ Fusion mineral paint - tough coat, Matte

✨ Blue painter's tape

✨ Light sandpaper

✨ Misting bottle

✨ Hand sander (optional, for distressing)

Before a single drop of paint touches these paddles, Sonnet gives them a light sanding to remove any flaky finish and create a smooth surface for better paint adhesion. It takes about five minutes and makes all the difference in the final result. Worth every second. ✨

Then comes the genuinely fun part — choosing your colors. Sonnet chose two different shades of blue to create two completely different moods:

💕 A deep, rich midnight blue for a bold, dramatic look that stops you in your tracks.

💕 A softer paisley blue for a more subtle, vintage-inspired finish that feels completely timeless.

Same technique. Totally different personalities. We love that about this project. 😍

Here's a little detail that takes these paddles from pretty to AH-MAZING. 🙌

Blue painter's tape is carefully applied to create clean stripe accents before painting. A creamy white paint goes over the entire paddle — tape and all — and then the tape is removed while the paint is still wet. What's left behind? The crispest, most beautiful lines. Later, you can keep it crisp or age it a bit with Sonnet's technique below.

This is the part we live for. 😍

Once the painted surface is completely dry, decide on your floral placement and apply a fresh coat of topcoat right where the inlay will go. Lightly mist the back of the Paint Inlay with water, then press it firmly into the wet surface.

One tip we love and fully endorse: leave a small corner or flap of the inlay uncovered when you press it down. It makes peeling back the backing later so much easier, and trust us, you'll want that when the excitement of the reveal hits. 🤭

Allow the inlay to dry completely before moving on. Patience here pays off in the most beautiful way.

Okay. This is the moment. 🥰

Lightly mist the paper backing with water and gently wipe away any excess moisture. Then slowly, carefully peel back the backing to reveal the design underneath.

Every single reveal is a little different, and that is entirely the point. IOD Paint Inlays are designed to create an authentic, vintage-inspired finish, so if you notice areas that look slightly worn or softly imperfect, lean into it. Those subtle variations are what give each piece its depth and character.

Done is better than perfect, and imperfection is often what makes a piece truly beautiful. 💕

Once you're happy with your gorgeous reveal, seal the whole paddle with a protective matte topcoat to preserve your work and keep it looking beautiful for years to come.

Want even more vintage character? Run a hand sander lightly along the edges for a naturally aged, distressed look that complements the Paint Inlay design perfectly. It's a small extra step that adds so much charm to the finished piece. 🙌

If you're just starting your IOD journey, our Product 101 pages are packed with beginner-friendly techniques to help build your confidence and creative skills. We are so giddy to be part of your creative journey. 💕

Ready to get your hands on the Little Lark and Alfred Peats & Co. Paint Inlays? Find your nearest IOD Stockist using the big red Where to Buy button on our website. 🙌

Made your own paddle makeover? Please, please share it with the IOD Creative Tribe on Facebook — it is the most supportive community of makers on the internet, and we genuinely cannot wait to see what you create with these. 💕