Layered Paper Dining Table Top

Rescue that formica top table with this project.  Change any piece of furniture into an Art Object.  Ger your instructions with all the details and little secrets to paper layering.  

Layered Paper Dining Table Top

Redo what you have. Take the hand me downs. Go to yard sales - even office furniture can be rigged up to work in you home. 
Most of our projects are loose, casual and sometimes a little zany. All are easy to do. Your supplies are easy to find if you don't already have them. 
Light sanding and cleaning is the biggest part of the prep work. Used, battered, even just ugly old furniture can easily have new life! This dining room of mismatched furniture works well with the pieces all jazzed up!
Well made used office furniture is pretty easy too find. It is always a good buy. Look in the classifieds in your local paper for businesses selling their own used furniture or going out of business. Look in the yellow pages for office liquidators and used office furniture stores. All of them will bargain!
Don't let a plastic (formica) top stop you. Does it have a great base? The top? Look at this jewel now! 
The top has been rigged up by layering paper, lightly paint staining and sealing heavily! 
Use this technique on everything! From chairs to little objects.
Let's get started!

Supplies you need:

· Formica table top with a self edge or rubber molded edge.

· Thirty to forty sheets plain news print or unbleached packing paper.

· Straight edge or T-square
· White glue
· Bowl of water
· Thick paper plate
· 2 inch inexpensive paint brushes 
· 1 bottle 2 fl. oz. Acrylic craft paint (your choice of color).
· Non-yellowing clear polyurethane.


Steps:

1. Clean top and edges of table top thoroughly and let dry.

2. Rip unbleached packing paper with straight edge into 
4" x 7" pieces.

3. Glue the paper to the table top. Start in the center and work toward the edges overlapping the paper ½" to 1".

4. Apply white glue on paper, diluting the glue as you work and not saturating the paper. 

Dilute glue by running the paint brush through the water 
and wringing it by running over a paper plate then dabbing the glue. Apply to paper almost as if you were dry brushing.

5. Use your hand with a soft touch to rub out any air bubbles underneath the paper. If you have a stubborn air bubble, prick it with a sharp pin and lightly brush diluted glue over the bubble. Watch for bubbles and do this as you cover the whole surface.

6. When whole table top is covered you will need to use narrower pieces to go over the rounded end edges. Do not pleat paper to fit, cut it and continue to overlap.

Photo of under table top here #61

7. Let dry completely. If you have any air bubbles, pin prick them then lightly paint glue on them and smooth flat with the paint brush.

8. When table is completely dry (at least over night), you are ready to paint. To show the texture of your decoupage you will "dry brush" your paint on the surface. This will emphasize the ripped edges and overlapping. Again, using the 2" paint brush pick up paint on you pallet then paint most of it off on a paper plate, then paint your table top.

Close up of table top here #60

9. Let paint dry overnight.

10. Seal with the non-yellowing polyurethane. Put on at least four coats. Let each coat dry in between. You may have to wait overnight between coats if you apply too thick.

You have a beautiful one of a kind table. Pair it up with your favorite chairs…Enjoy! You have an Art Object of your very own! 

Find supplies online:

You can purchase your non-yellowing polyurethane…. from the CornerHardware.com 

Find your paint and brushes at joann.com. At both sites the 
search box is the fastest way to shop if you know what you are looking for. Have fun!
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Let me know how your Layered Paper Project turns out….This project is fun…. Send me a photo!


Until next time!

Bye for now,

Vickie

Art Objects For The Home 
www.inoutdecor.com
mailto:vickie@inoutdecor.com

Jazz up an old buffet or dresser with wire and bead drawer pulls to compliment you new table. Check out projects here.

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ALL OF OUR PROJECTS ARE EVIDENT OF OUR PERSONAL APPLICATION OF THE STEPS INVOLVED, WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THE OUTCOME OF ANY SUBSEQUENT APPLICATIONS AS WE CANNOT CONTROL THE APPLICATION OF THE STEPS BY THIRD PARTIES. **SAFETY AND CAUTION MUST ALWAYS BE USED WHEN ATTEMPTING ANY CRAFT OR PROJECT.