Vintage Decor DIY: Creating the Toleware Look the Easy Way

Are you familiar with Toleware? Toleware refers to objects created from metal, which are painted in decorative styles. These decorative tin pieces are creative masterpieces with utilitarian bones. I love the look, and today I am sharing a DIY for creating a toleware inspired piece with a super easy technique.

Typical tole motifs include fruits and florals. Lily of the Valley, a petite, fragrant flower, is the inspiration for today’s vintage inspired decor toleware hack. Martha Stewart inspired a love for this delicate specimen back in the day when I was setting up our home as a newlywed. I was all about the tiny details.

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The Art of Tole

According to Wikipedia: toleware refers to kitchen-related objects created from metal, typically tin or thin steel, and are often in decorative styles. The term tôle is derived from the French tôle peinte, meaning “painted sheet metal”. The technique of painting on tinplate to create decorative and practical household items is also known as “japanning,” which was developed to prevent rust and imitate Japanese lacquerware. 

Toleware originated in Wales in the early 18th century. This style of decorative art spread from Europe to the United States in the 18th century, and was popular in US kitchens in the 18th and 19th centuries. Common pieces of toleware include, but are not limited to trays, lampshades, candle holders and sconces.

How to Create Toleware the Easy Way

A simple Dollar Tree tray is transformed with a printed image for this easy tole hack project. Typically fruit and flower decorative designs are common on toleware. Lily of the Valley is a favorite of mine.

Supplies

• Small Metal Tray
• Graphite Paint
• Decorative Image (floral and fruit designs are popular)
• Decoupage Medium
• Gold Rub-n-Buf
• Acrylic Coating Spray

Tools

• Ruler
• Scissors
• Paint Brush
• Foam Brush
• Small Craft Brush

Instructions

• Read instructions thoroughly and assemble all supplies & tools
• Measure the inside dimensions of tray
• Paint entire tray with a dark paint and set aside to dry
• Once paint is dry, add a second layer of paint and set aside to dry fully

• Find a digital image that appeals to you
• Size image on computer to the scale of tray measurements and print
• Use scissors to cut image to fit inside tray
• With foam brush apply a layer of decoupage medium on tray and lay image on top to adhere
• Apply a layer of decoupage medium on top of image to create a protective coat

• Add paint around image to blend transition from image to tray
• Apply gesso to sections on image to create depth and dimension (I applied it to the flowers and some details on teacup)

• Set tray aside to cure
• Apply Rub ‘n Buff to tray edges, starting slowly; you can always add more as you go but can’t remove it easily)

• Spray with clear coat to seal
• Voila! Enjoy the toleware inspired decor accent!

Tips & Recommendations to Keep In Mind

Paint

I chose the graphite paint for two reasons. I had the paint on hand from other projects, and I wanted a dark color for the background for drama and a traditional tole effect. The graphite color is a dark color between a dark gray and black, which is a favorite around here. The graphite paint was perfect for this project {An Old, Shabby Dresser Refurbished into an Outdoor Sideboard}.

Image

I found the Lily of the Valley image on The Graphics Fairy site, which is a fantastic resource for vintage images. I chose an image with a dark background to create drama and blend into the graphite paint. If you are an artistic soul and can paint flowers, fruits and the such, I recommend skipping the printed image step. Paint your own creation right on the tray, making it a more authentic toleware piece.

Gilding

Rub ‘n Buff in the Antique Gold finish is used here to add gilding to the tray edges. The Antique Gold has a strong rose color undertone. If you prefer a true gold gilding finish, I find the Gold Leaf color to have more of a traditional Old World feel. Rub ‘n Buff has a variety of gold options so make sure to use one that appeals to you. I find using a finger provides more control for application, but a brush can also be used if you prefer.

Scissors

Deckle edged scissors create irregular edges, which are used here. It provides a more natural look as the edges meet up with the graphite paint on the inside edges of the tray. If you don’t have deckle edged scissors, you can always rip the image instead of cutting clean lines with regular scissors. Applying water to the edges makes ripping the paper easier.

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Closing Thoughts

What did you think about this toleware hack? It’s an easy way to get the look. Vintage toleware pieces are found in many second hand shopping destinations such as estate sales, Etsy, E-bay, thrift shops and more.

Lily of the Valley represents many pleasant things like happiness, sweetness, purity, and humility and is rich in history and culture. Although May is the “official” month of Lily of the Valley, I love it anytime of year. Hope you enjoyed this simple toleware lily of the valley hack. It has all the vintage vibes. Thanks for dropping by today and looking forward to seeing you next time.  Au revoir!

Shopping the Look

• Small Silver Tray Rectangular Stainless Steel Tray
• Rectangle Stainless Steel Small Tray 2pcs/set (5.3″ x 7.3″x 0.8″)
• Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® (Graphite, 1 Litre/33.8 Fl Oz) 
• 3 Pack of Variety Size Synthetic Bristle Paint Brush
• Foam Brush, 3-Pack Assorted
• Rub ‘n Buff Wax Metallic Antique Gold
• Mod Podge Matte Sealer, Glue & Finish: All-in-One Craft Solution
• Deckle Edged Scissors
• Acrylic Spray Paint Crystal Clear Aerosol

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