Jazz up a plain table with a reverse-stencil technique. Photo: Gina Provenzano
Raise your hand if you have ever owned an IKEA LACK side table. Okay, I might not be able to see you, but I know there are quite a few extended limbs out there, and why not? At $10 a piece, the composite wood, faux-finished tables are a real bargain -- they're also an excellent blank canvas for the DIYer.
One way to dress up a simple table is to use a reverse-stencil technique shown on the blossoming table above. Instead of actually stenciling a motif onto the table surface, I made a reverse-stencil out of painter's tape. After painting over the entire surface, the motif is revealed when the tape is removed.
If you'd like to create your own painted table, first find a graphic motif to use. Keep it simple: Intricate designs take a longer time to cut out and shape in tape. Once you've found your motif, you're ready to roll. Here's what you'll need: Materials:
- Simple side table, like IKEA's LACK
- Motif, enlarged and printed out to fit on table surface
- Steel wool
- Painter's tape
- X-acto knife
- Cutting mat
- Scissors
- Thin marker
- Satin finish latex paint
- Paintbrush
- Pastry cutter or other flat hard edge
- Acrylic sealer
Directions:
1. Use steel wool in a circular motion to lightly scratch the surface of the table. Wipe clean with damp cloth.
2. Cover the top surface of table where motif will be placed with painter's tape.
3. Cut the motif out. Position it over the section of the table covered in painter's tape and trace the outline with marker onto the tape.
3. Use an X-acto-knife to cut the motif out of the masking tape; avoid marring table surface by using medium pressure. Remove excess tape, leaving the motif in painter's tape on the table. Use a pastry cutter or other flat, hard edge to press down and ensure tape edges are adhered to table top.
4. Use painter's tape to mask-off the side edges of the table, positioning the tape line flush with table top. Again, use a pastry cutter or other flat, hard edge to ensure tape edges are well-adhered.
5. Paint table top with satin finish, latex paint and allow to dry. Apply a second coat and allow to dry thoroughly.
6. Use your X-acto-knife and fingers to lift up and gently remove the tape motif, which will reveal the unpainted table surface beneath.
7. Apply sealer to entire surface of the table and allow to dry thoroughly. Remove tape from table's sides.
Want more DIY inspiration? Here are two more posts about craft-tastic tape:
- Craft Ideas for Japanese HappyTape!
- A round-up of patterned tapes
