How to Use the Sunflower Transfer

While there are probably as many ways to use a sunflower transfer as there are pieces of furniture, today I’m going to share one charming way.  This old dresser was handed down from my grandparents to my mother.  It was in mildly rough shape.

I did a lot of veneer repair on the sides using Bondo and glue and clamps.  But this post isn’t about furniture repair, so I’m going to skip to the good stuff.

Here are the supplies I used.

Resource List

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• Dresser (mom-owned)
• White Lightning
• BOSS gray
• Haint Blue
• Dusty Blue
• In the Navy
• Sunflower transfer
• Walnut No Pain gel stain
• Clear coat flat
• Gilding wax – bronze and gold

If you want tons of information on Dixie Belle paint and products, you can check out this Comprehensive Guide post, and you can download my free guides here by clicking the pictures:

Dry Brush Paint Technique

I decided to prime this piece with gray BOSS.  I wasn’t really concerned with smells or bleed-through, but BOSS helps with good adhesion.

Once the BOSS was dry, I did a dry brush cross-hatch technique with 3 shades of blue.

You can do this with any 3 colors for a layered look with lots of depth and variation.  I used Dusty Blue, Haint Blue and In the Navy.

First, dip the brush about 3/4″ into the paint.  Scrape the excess off on the side of the paint container.  Then blot some off on a paper towel.

Lightly apply the paint to the piece with horizontal and vertical strokes, making a cross shape. 

Keep the strokes straight up and down or side to side.  No diagonal or circles for this one.

It won’t be full coverage.  Continue this technique over the whole piece with one color, and then go back with the second and third colors.  You don’t have to allow any dry time between colors.

You can go back over with each color in any order until you have the color and overall blend you want.  It helps to step back periodically to make sure the finish is consistent.

Applying the Sunflower Transfer

Allow the paint to dry 24-48 hours, so the transfer has the best chance to stick well.  This sunflower furniture transfer comes in 4 sheets with individual sunflowers and bunches of flowers.

You can cut out the section you want and hold them up to determine your design.  My mom wanted just enough to add some charm, but not over the top.

You don’t have to be symmetrical, but it’s nice to achieve a balance.  We started with this bunch in the middle of the bottom drawer.  Then we placed a few smaller flowers at the top.

You peel off the white backing and stick the flower where you want it.  To transfer it to the piece, use the wood stick provided to rub the design onto the piece.

The wonderful thing about the Belles & Whistles sunflower rub on transfers is they don’t have a clear or white “halo” around the design. It blends in seemlessly and looks hand painted on.

Gel Stained Top

I applied one coat of No Pain Walnut Gel Stain with an applicator pad to the top.  It was super easy and turned out really pretty.

The original hepplewhite hardware was perfect; I just brighted it up a little with some bronze and gold gilding waxes.  I rub them on with my finger, and they dry hard within a couple days.

To seal up all of this sunflower goodness, I brushed on 2 coats of Clear Coat in Flat.  I usually use Satin, but this piece seemed better suited to Flat.

I’ve seen the Sunflower Transfers for furniture used a lot with a beige or brown background, but I think it’s so charming with a blue background, don’t you?  

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I hope you’ll stick around and check out a few more project ideas with transfers!  (Boho Soul, Field of Flowers and Lace)