We purchased this boring, affordable and functional end table several years ago from Ikea.
I think it cost around $15, if that. We used it as a TV stand for a few years, and then it lived in the attic for a while. Now it is happily serving its intended purpose in our basement play room. I decided I wanted to do something fun and different with it, and I could get away with doing that since it is in a play room, after all. I didn’t want it totally childish looking since we do have a living area downstairs too, but fun and unique was what I was going for with this table redo. Right now we have a black and white theme going on down there, so in order to make sure the room isn’t boring, I am trying to incorporate lots of different patterns and designs. It’s still a work in process.
The idea for this project was born after being inspired by this and this, which gave me the itch to paint something gold. I have a feeling this isn’t the last you’ll see of the gold spray paint, by the way. I’ve been bitten by the gold bug. (Not to be confused with this Goldbug, which our family is fond of and for whom our youngest son is nicknamed at times.) After I decided I would paint the table base gold, I came to the conclusion that I would decoupage the top. I found some black and white striped gift wrap on clearance at Target for $2. This became the design for the top of the table.
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Gift Wrap/Table Top |
The entire process was a lot like making the upcycled canisters (see previous blog post).
And here is the finished product:
Here are the materials I used: Spray primer; metallic gold spray paint; ruler; scissors; painter’s tape; Mod Podge; wrapping paper; X-Acto knife; and Decoupage gloss sealer.
First, I turned the table upside down on top of a plastic drop cloth, and taped the edges. (This wasn’t totally necessary since I was going to cover the table up with gift wrap anyway, but this does minimize having to sand if you make the surface uneven with patches of paint.) Then I sprayed a coat of primer on the base. After this dried, I sprayed a couple of coats of metallic gold Krylon spray paint. After an hour or so, I turned it over and sprayed another coat to touch it up as needed. I allowed this to dry overnight.
Then, I laid out my wrapping paper and table upside down on the floor, measuring and cutting around it, leaving enough for a little bit of overlap around the bottom and edges. I cut out little squares in the corners to make that part easier and to minimize bunching on the sides.
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Place table upside down on top of paper to cut. |
Next, I applied a layer of Mod Podge all over my table. I placed the wrapping paper on top of the table and smoothed it out as best as I could. I turned it upside down to try to flatten the bubbles, and let it dry overnight. The next morning, I used my sponge brush to apply another layer of Mod Podge, this time on top of the wrapping paper. I let it dry for a couple of hours and applied a second coat. Then after that dried, I sprayed a coat of Decoupage Gloss Sealer just for added protection. I used an X-Acto knife to carefully cut away any excess paper along the edge. (You could also use sandpaper for this.)
I made sure to let it dry for 24 hours before putting anything on top of it. Wrapping paper is a little hard to work with since it is so thin, so it’s pretty difficult to get it perfectly smooth. The table has a few bumps and small bubbles here and there but it isn’t really that noticeable, especially with the pattern.
Overall, I really like it and I think it adds a little something unique to the basement. This may not be the type of piece I would necessarily put in our family room, but for the living area downstairs it works perfectly.
Here is the living area of our basement play room. Keep in mind, we just moved into this home a few months ago so it is still a work in process! But we’re getting there. (Ignore the basketball hoop.) And there’s my new thrift store lamp too!
This table was a fun little project. I’m not a pro “decoupager” (is that a word?), but I do enjoy it. This process really allows you to use your imagination and customize almost anything you want.
Check in tomorrow for my latest furniture find and my awesome plans for it. I can’t wait!
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