Vintage Sophisticated Furniture Upcycle with IOD Artisan Karen Johnson

Vintage Sophisticated Furniture Upcycle with IOD Artisan Karen Johnson
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Our dear friend and IOD Artisan, Karen Johnson, upcycled the most darling vintage cabinet using the Clementine Transfer from our 2025 Holiday Collection.


Karen preps the piece with an eco-friendly degreaser and paints a moody, dark background inspired by vintage European prints, blending two shades of dark gray. An earthy red undercoat on the trim peeks through the gold, while lighter and darker gray strokes build rich depth.


Wait until you see how she illuminates the emblem from our Clementine Transfer with a touch of gold, subtle texture from the Vintage Textures Stamp, and a finish of dark wax to pull it all together. 😍

IOD Products Needed:

Other Supplies:

  • Dark Grey chalk-type paint
  • Red chalk-type paint
  • Gilded chalk-type paint*
  • Lacquer Sealer
  • Dark Wax 

*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!

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!

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Vintage Sophisticated Furniture Upcycle with IOD Artisan Karen Johnson

Vintage Sophisticated Furniture Upcycle with IOD Artisan Karen Johnson
Pin this article to save for later

Our dear friend and IOD Artisan, Karen Johnson, upcycled the most darling vintage cabinet using the Clementine Transfer from our 2025 Holiday Collection.


Karen preps the piece with an eco-friendly degreaser and paints a moody, dark background inspired by vintage European prints, blending two shades of dark gray. An earthy red undercoat on the trim peeks through the gold, while lighter and darker gray strokes build rich depth.


Wait until you see how she illuminates the emblem from our Clementine Transfer with a touch of gold, subtle texture from the Vintage Textures Stamp, and a finish of dark wax to pull it all together. 😍

IOD Products Needed:

Other Supplies:

  • Dark Grey chalk-type paint
  • Red chalk-type paint
  • Gilded chalk-type paint*
  • Lacquer Sealer
  • Dark Wax 

*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!

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!

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