Materials:
marbleized or faux stone art paper or wrapping paper in marble or stone patterns
Mod Podge
pedestal or other classic design table
latex paint in flat colors such as slate gray, blue-black, deep earthy red or dark green
various paint and art brushes
white or brown kraft paper cut the same shape and size as top of table
tracing paper
lead pencil
black, white, gray and raw umber acrylic paints
scissors
latex polyurethane
very fine sandpaper
rolling pin
Note: Consult your library for pattern ideas for inlay tables.
Steps:
- Draw out pattern for faux inlay on kraft paper (mosaic pattern with small spaces between). This will be the finished pattern. Try a repeating pattern such as rectangles around the outside edge. Place a circle in the middle of the design with two larger circles around this. Then fill inside circle with a repeating pattern of triangles and rectangles or squares and rectangles.
- Paint table with chosen latex color and let dry.
- Place tracing paper ink side down on tabletop and place the pattern on top of this.
- Gently and firmly trace around the mosaic pattern on drawing.
- Cut out one example of each pattern shape from drawing to use as templates when cutting the marbelized or faux stone paper.
- Cut and place marble or stone papers down on tabletop within traced drawing. For a more authentic look, try not to place the same patterns next to each other.
- Once enough pieces are cut to cover the entire tabletop, pour some of the Mod Podge in a small plastic bowl. With a small flat brush, apply a thin layer to the back of each piece of marble paper and press onto tabletop in appropriate place. Use a book for weight to hold pieces down firmly as they dry (it takes only a few minutes).
- Repeat until entire top is covered in a marble-stone pattern with small spaces between each piece.
- Take a larger brush and coat entire top with glue. Let dry completely. Use a rolling pin to flatten any bubbles.
- Use white, black and gray paint in spaces between each piece of paper to create a loose, hand-drawn grout line. Do this with a dry-brush method (a bit of black, then white, then gray). Repeat quickly and loosely over entire tabletop. Let dry.
- Coat top with another layer of decoupage glue. Let dry completely.
- Mix together a small amount of raw umber acrylic and some of the decoupage glue, creating a brownish milky concoction. Using a light hand, brush this over the entire top, wiping off any excess with a dry cloth. Let dry, repeat until an antiqued effect is achieved. It is best to build up the layers of color to attain the desired look.
- Apply another coat of decoupage glue and let dry. Lightly sand any edges of paper or bumps with fine sandpaper. Brush off dust.
- Apply one more coat of glue and let dry.
- Finish with a coat of latex polyurethane.
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