We’re thrilled to welcome Denise from Salvaged Inspirations back to the blog with a fresh and inspiring DIY idea! If you love painted furniture and enjoy discovering simple techniques that make a real impact, you’re in the right place. In her latest project, Denise walks us through how to use a gold pen to add beautiful, subtle accents to painted pieces — no fancy tools or advanced skills required. Whether you’re updating a thrifted find or adding a personal touch to a favorite piece, her step-by-step guidance makes it easy to create elegant details you’ll be proud to show off. Let’s dive in and get inspired by Denise’s creative approach!
(The following is an excerpt from Salvaged Inspirations. Read the full article here).
If you can hold a pen, you can do this! Discover how to add gold metallic accents to painted furniture using a simple gold marker that’s mess-free and beginner-friendly!
If you’ve ever wanted to add a little wow-glitz to a painted furniture piece without pulling out fancy tools or learning a new technique, this is one of my favorite easy upgrades – gold metallic pens and markers. Seriously… if you can hold a pencil, you can do this.
Gold markers make it incredibly simple to highlight details, trace raised or recessed designs, or add delicate patterns right on top of painted furniture. There’s no mess, no brushes to clean, and no complicated steps — they glide on smoothly and dry quickly, giving you immediate impact with minimal effort. This is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to elevate a piece.
It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s such an easy way to make your furniture feel special — even if you don’t consider yourself “artsy.” Trust me, once you try it, you’ll start seeing gold-pen potential everywhere!
Below is the Vintage Dresser I found at my local Restore. It was the oldest piece in a sea of furniture. Even though the drawers were a bit wonky and the finish a bit worn, I had a vision for this tall dresser.
This dresser was in good shape but I was disappointed one pull was missing a piece because the original hardware was gorgeous. The drawer was a little wonky as well but luckily, the drawer guide was included. And look at those gorgeous legs. I knew they were going to look so good once they were all cleaned up and highlighted with the gold metallic marker.
SUPPLIES
Tall Vintage Dresser – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
Auto Sponge
Sanding Sponge
2″ Angled Paint Brush
DB Brown Wood Filler
Woodubend Flower Plaque (20% OFF as of writing!)
Chisel Tip Gold Marker
Acadia SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint
Anchor SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint
Gator Hide Topcoat
CLEAN | FILL | SAND
To start the prep process, I removed all the hardware from the drawers. Then, using my heavy-duty furniture cleaner, I cleaned the inside and outside of this dresser using a large automotive sponge.
Once the dresser was dry, I took some Dixie Mud and filled in the top hardware holes and the pin nail holes on the bottom three drawers. I also added this Floral Woodubend Plaque. To add Woodubend, I warm the plaque with my heat gun. Once it is warm and bendable, I add wood glue to the back and apply it to the dresser pressing it down into place. Once I have it perfectly positioned, I blast it with more heat from my heat gun and remove any wood glue that has seeped out from the side using a toothpick.
I let the Woodubend and Wood filler dry overnight. The next morning I sanded the filler smooth using a 220 sanding sponge. This wood filler comes in White, Brown and Black and is awesome if you don’t have a sander, as it sands easily by hand.
CUSTOM MOODY GREEN PAINT
To create a dark, moody green, I mixed Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint in Acadia and Anchor. I didn’t measure but I would guess it was 2/3 Acadia Green to 1/3 Anchor Black.
To get a super smooth finish on these shapely legs, I used my slap-it-on paint technique. The benefits of using this paint technique are a super smooth spray like finish without using a sprayer!
This All-In-One SILK Mineral Paint is a beginner-friendly paint with the primer, paint, and topcoat included, so there is no need to prime the body before painting. This custom dark green color took two coats for full coverage.
HOW TO USE THE GOLD MARKER
(Step-by-Step)
This is one of those techniques that looks fancy but is actually so easy. Don’t overthink it – you’re basically drawing with a marker.
Step 1: Start with a Fully Painted & Dry Surface
Make sure your furniture piece is completely painted and dry before you begin. Gold pens work best on a smooth surface, so if needed, lightly sand or wipe away any dust first.
Step 2: Shake & Prime the Pen
Give the gold pen a good shake to mix the metallic pigment inside. Then press the tip down on a piece of scrap paper or cardboard until the gold ink starts to flow evenly. This helps prevent blotches on your furniture.
Step 3: Practice First (Highly Recommended!)
Before going straight to your piece, do a quick practice run on scrap wood or a hidden area. This lets you get comfortable with the pressure and see how thick or thin your lines will be.
Step 4: Lightly Trace or Highlight Details
Using a gentle hand, trace raised details, edges, or designs. Let the pen glide – no need to press hard. For thicker lines, slightly angle the pen; for finer details, hold it more upright.
Step 5: Build the Color Slowly
If you’re not 100% happy with your first try, remember you can always go over the same line more than once! If you want the gold to look richer, thicker, or more pronounced, let the first pass dry and then go over it again. Thin layers give you the most control and the cleanest finish.
Step 6: Let It Dry Completely
Gold markers dry quickly, but give them a little extra time before touching or moving the piece to avoid smudging.
Step 7: Seal for Durability
Once everything is dry, seal your design with a clear topcoat to protect the gold accents, especially on tabletops or high-traffic pieces.
Pro Tip – If your lines aren’t perfectly straight, don’t stress. That tiny bit of “imperfection” is what gives painted furniture its charm. This technique is meant to be fun, relaxed, and forgiving. Here’s the Chisel Tip Gold Metallic Marker that I use. Love it!
REPURPOSED HARDWARE
While I was waiting for the topcoat to dry (it dries quite fast!), I looked for replacement vintage hardware and found eight of these gorgeous brass vintage pulls. I gave them a good cleaning by boiling them in an old pot with water and vinegar and then scrubbing them with a brush. I like leaving a little of the patina on my hardware, but to tie everything together, I used the gold marker pen to highlight the hardware as well.
THE BIG REVEAL…
Here’s the finished look! What do you think of the custom green with the gold gilding?
Gilding always looks amazing when the light hits it just right. It gives the furniture a warm glow’ee feeling!
A closer look at the smooth-as-silk custom paint finish.
Adding gold details with a pen is one of those small touches that makes a big difference. It’s quick, it’s simple, and it instantly gives your furniture makeovers that extra layer of character and charm. Whether you go bold or keep it subtle, this is such a fun way to put your own creative spin on a piece. Don’t be afraid to experiment, trust your instincts, and most of all – enjoy the process. That’s when the real magic happens.
What a fun and approachable technique! Huge thanks to Denise for sharing her creative insight and thoughtful tips on using something as simple as a gold pen to elevate your painted furniture. This no-stress accent method is perfect for makers of all skill levels and a lovely way to add personality to your projects. If you try this technique, we’d love to see how it turns out. For another easy diy project by Salvaged Inspirations, check out our blog, DIY Table Makeover with French Villa Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint. Here’s to beautiful details and joyful making!
