Artificial Flowers - Can I Tone Them Down?

Question

I am really trying to decorate for Fall this year. I have some autumn leaves and flowers but they are just too bright for my décor. Is there something I can do to make them a more muted color without it looking too cheesy? I would like just a hint of color to come through.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

A flat 'spray' primer applied from a good distance will mask a lot of the color...but cheesy is a pretty big obstacle to overcome when working with fake plastic decor in the first place.

How about looking into some natural items...like dried gourds etc.

Cindy F · Answer

Maybe you could try coffee or tea staining them....not sure if it would work (depending on the material the leaves are made out of) but it wouldn't hurt to try!

Sam Schaefer · Answer

I lightly sprayed some artificial foliage for one of my projects & they turned out beautifully. To see the results, go to http://creativelysams.com/table-garland-centerpiece-tutorial/. It toned them down and didn't look like cheap Wally World flowers anymore. Hope this helped. :-)

Larose LoganOakes · Answer

This may sound crazy but I had some silk poinsettias that had faded badly and I wanted to use them outside on my front porch. So I just grabbed up a can of red spray paint and gave all of the leaves a couple of blasts and they looked great.I would recommend that you use a darker brown almost a chocolate, a muted gold and a maroon color. You could use a piece of lace to paint through or a piece of nylon netting or screening material. Any scrap will do.Either that or else use a beige color over the existing color. If you have the time and the energy you could paint the veins on the leaves with a very thin brush or those skinny fineline paint markers that they have for scrapbooking.I used one once to paint the veins on the wings of a fairy statue that I had refurbished.Best of luck!:)

Nicki Michaud Zoda · Answer

Shoe polish - just rub it on and wipe it off.

Gloria Duy · Answer

I have watered down brown acrylic paint and brushed it on things. I have also started over by spray painting all brown and then lightly brushing the ends with fall colors.

Sam Schaefer · Answer

I'm so glad I could help. You could also paint them a metallic color like I did for my copper fall wreath. You can see it at - http://creativelysams.com/copper-fall-wreath/ Don't let what's out there stop you from having what you want. My motto, if you can't find it, make it yourself. Happy Creating!

Sam Schaefer · Answer

Thank you Sue!

Tammy w · Answer

you could try taking brown acrylic paint on a dry brush or rag and rub it on the leaves. Then wipe it off..the paint will stay in creases and give it a different look.

Shelly L · Answer

Maybe a little soft gold or copper spray-paint

Madelyn Bird · Answer

Sam, I've used Old English dark furniture polish for similar projects. It looks so dark in the bottle but is actually quite transparent. I like the fact that it is flat instead of glossy. It dries quick but not so that you don't have some play time to work with it.

Gloria Clayton · Answer

There is a clear brown floral paint that sprayed on lightly will mute the bright tones, ask your local florist or Hobby Lobby!

Madelyn Bird · Answer

I have used paint brushes with success. I've started using those spongie on a stick applicators. I'm not very neat and organized and they are cheap enough to pitch. I apply just a tad with the edge and then swirl or rub with the main part

Artificial Flowers - Can I Tone Them Down?

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