Happy Monday! Let’s start the week with an easy DIY project, shall we?! This colorful, tropical idea is perfect for summer parties, but most of all, it’s the perfect way to revive greenery that’s on its way out. I love tropical leaves because they have the potential to last for weeks–and sometimes months–if you regularly trim the stems and refresh the water. But when you see those telltale signs that the leaf will soon be wilting (the green starts to turn yellow and brown), all is not lost. Especially if you have some paint at the ready…
The monstera leaf in my living room was on its last leg, so I decided to temporarily revive it. Thanks to still life photos of painted palms, and centerpieces like the one featured at this fabulous brunch from Paper & Stitch, I knew it was time to get out the foam brush and acrylic craft paint!
The idea couldn’t be easier…simply paint the leaf! While I used two coats of acrylic craft paint (the kind you buy in small bottles for a dollar or two), spray painting would be a super-quick alternative. You’d just need to tape off/cover half of the leaf if you’re going for a two-toned effect like the one featured today. I loved the colorful results and am already planning on painting a few more for a party I’m hosting this summer. The best part: you can enjoy the tropical leaves for days (or weeks) before you paint them!
Hope your week is a colorful one… XOXO, Kate
Hi, I’m a watercolor artist and found your images while searching for free photos of monstera leaves. I love the photo of the natural leaf you took and would like permission to paint it. I wouldn’t want to just use you image as a reference without permission. Thanks so much! The DIY was a great project you did!
I would be honored! And I’d love to see the finished work! Thank you so much for getting in touch and for your kind words. Best wishes on your painting endeavor!