A nailhead trim is a border formed by nails on furniture.This can be done with individual nails or a pre-made nail border that is fastened to a surface at intervals.This simple technique can increase the classiness of your furniture.If you want to be more elegant with your nailhead trim, you can buy ornamental nails and attach fabric beneath them.
Step 1: Quality tools and materials are important.
The process of installing the trim will be more difficult if you use poor quality nails.If you miss a nail, a rubber mallet or hammer covered in cloth will protect your upholstery.There are many types of nails you can use in this project.You can find unique nails at your local hardware store.If you want a more precise pounding tool, you might want to use a specialized tack hammer.Most hardware stores and craft shops carry these.
Step 2: You should plan your trim design.
You can be more flexible with the spacing and pattern of individual nails.You can either have the nails occur one after another or space them out so there are gaps between them.A rough sketch of the chair and a drawing of your desired trim design can be used to visualize different patterns, spacings and styles.
Step 3: Your design can be drawn on the upholstery.
You can apply your trim with painter's tape.Along edges and seams, trim is used.To mark the locations, use a pencil.To make the result uniform, measure the spaces between the nails carefully with a tape measure.It is possible to draw a straight line on your tape where the nails will be attached, if you are planning on using nails without any spaces in between.Be careful that your marks are even.It is easy to see if the nails are out of alignment.In some cases, you can write directly on your upholstery.To protect your upholstery, tape is recommended.
Step 4: You can pound the nails according to your pattern.
Follow the marks on your painter's tape with the nails.To increase visibility and protect your fingers, pound the nail with a hammer and use a pair of needle nose pliers.If using painter's tape, pound the nails in most of the way but leave a small space between the nail head and the tape.It will be easier to remove the tape.Needle nose pliers are not required for this project.You may be just as accurate holding nails between your pointer and middle fingers, sinking the nail partway into the upholstery, and finishing pounding.
Step 5: Remove bent or warped nails.
It is likely that a few of the nails will bend or become warped.Don't try to force them in.It can make them look unattractive and difficult to remove.If you want to remove ruined nails, use a puller tack.The end of a tack puller is marked with a piece of metal.If you want to remove the nail from the prong, you have to slot it inside.
Step 6: If you want to enjoy your trim, pound the nails the rest of the way.
You are almost finished when you attach the nails for your trim.Remove the tape from the nails.You can pound the nails with your hammer the rest of the way.Your nailhead trim is done.You may need to tear the tape around the nail to remove it.If the tape sticks to the upholstery, you can gently remove it with a knife or fingernail.
Step 7: Pick a pre-made trim.
There are many different styles and colors of pre-made trim.It's a good idea to choose a trim that matches your upholstery.Most hardware stores and craft stores have pre-made trims.There is a piece of leather or cloth under the nails.This is a great way to draw attention to your trim.
Step 8: Place your trims on your upholstery.
Use a pencil and a straightedge to draw a line where your nailhead trim will go.The line is the same distance from the outside edge of the upholstery.It will help keep your trim straight.You will only have to pound in nails every few inches when attaching your pre-made trim.The trim will hide your outline.
Step 9: Attach your trim to the outline.
Attach your trim to the outline.Attach the trim where it has gaps by holding it in place over the line and hammering in nails.Continue for the whole outline.Your pre-made trim should have nails that match the design of the trim.Attach the trim with these.To find nails that match your trim pattern, go to the hardware store.The nails used to attach the trim will not look out of place.
Step 10: Take a look at the straightness of your trim.
Even slight deviations from your outline can make your trim look bad.Look for evenness when you step back.Pull out nails with a tack and adjust the trim.Enjoy your furniture.Fresh nails should be used when adjusting trim that is not even.Nails that have been pulled out are more likely to warp and need to be removed again, which can result in an undesirable appearance.
Step 11: Under the nails of your trim, add ribbon or fabric.
You can find a ribbon of suitable thickness by cutting a piece of fabric.Use a pencil to draw a line on your upholstery.Attach the ribbon or fabric to the upholstery with tape.Attach the ribbon or fabric with pre-made trims or nails.For certain types of fabric, like braid, it might be easier to pound in the nails with the fabric already attached.
Step 12: You can make a curve in your design.
If it's bent, get a piece of semi-rigid card stock.It is 114 times the size of your edge if you cut a thin strip from it.The beginning and end of your strip should be held.The strip should be flexed so it bows in an arcs shape.Follow the arcs formed by the strip and draw a guide line with a pencil.You may need to adjust the size of your card stock to get the right kind of arcs.
Step 13: You can use different finishes on your nails.
Bright silver or gold nails are the most common colors in nailhead trim, but a different combination of finishes in your nails can create a new look.You can add character to your trim by mixing burnished or tarnished colors.There are some nails that have a colored finish.Hardware stores and craft stores have different finishes for nails.
Step 14: Different shaped nails can be used to create unique designs.
There are many different types of nails.A pleasing pattern can be created by alternating between square and circular head nails.You can explore different nail shapes at your local hardware store.Even if some of the nails don't work with your design, you can always save them for a later project.
Step 15: The corners are anchored with large studs and ornate nails.
Natural places the eye is drawn to are the corners of the outside boundary.corners are embellished with larger or more ornate designs.You might want to use a bigger stud or nail in the corners for this reason.Most hardware and craft shops have ornamental and large sized nails.A craft store is the best place to look for something fancy.