Rivets for the Restoration Hardware Inspired Cabinet {A Tutorial}

As promised, I’m giving you a quick how-to on the faux rivets I used for the Restoration Hardware inspired industrial cabinet that I painted in the boys’ room. I’ve also been working on a special project for Thistlewood Farm’s Fall For Spray Paint Party. It’s two tutorials in one so I hope you come back tomorrow to see what I linked up. It was well worth ruining my manicure.
To make the faux rivets,
you will need domed upholstery tacks, (2) pair of pliers, Super Glue, a glue gun, glue sticks, sandpaper, black spray primer, and silver craft paint. Hold one of the tacks with the pliers and use the other pair of pliers to twist the nail portion of the tack off. This takes a little patience. Once the nail is off, apply some of the Super Glue to the inside of the dome. While the glue is still wet, fill it with the glue from the glue gun.

The Super Glue will keep the other glue in place. Press the upholstery tack on a flat surface while it’s still warm. The back of upholstery tack now has a flat surface so you can apply it to the cabinet.  After sanding, priming, and painting the tacks you can Super Glue them about 1″ apart on the corners of the cabinet.
Just a recap of what they look like when they are done.

I think they finish off the cabinet nicely and give it a more industrial look.
Now, I just need to figure out what to do with the 500 or so tacks I have left. Any suggestions?

 To see the rest of the boys’ room, click on the picture:

For the tutorial on the aged steel paint finish, click on this picture: