I do not like to dust… that’s why I have changed several table tops from black to something that doesn’t show the dust so much. This brown paper bag decoupage treatment is just what I need!
What you need for this brown paper bag decoupage project:
- Deco Art Decoupage
- Brown Paper (I used craft paper, but you could use grocery bags)
- Applicator (I used a sponge applicator but you could also use a cheap chip brush)
- Something for glazing (I used black craft paint, but you could use a glaze or a stain.
This is what my table looked like after I made it, and BEFORE I painted my bedroom and wood trim. You can see how I made this table in my post Sewing Machine Drawers into a Side Table.
I removed the drawers and worked on the table outside because it was a pretty Spring day.
Then, I laid the craft paper of the top of the table to get an idea of how much paper I would need to use.
I gathered the items I would need-DecoArt Decou-page, a small tray and a sponge brush.
Tear Brown Paper for Decoupage
To get the proper effect you will need to tear your paper and then wrinkle it. I find that it works best if you put it in your hands as though you were scrubbing a stain out of a shirt. (rubbing it back and forth to soften it a bit)
I tore large pieces and wrinkled (softened) them up a bit. I tore the pieces to size as I went along.
Begin applying brown paper bag decoupage
First, I started in the corner with a large piece, applying the DecoArt Decoupage on both sides of the paper.
I did all four corners.
Work your way around the outside
Working my way into the middle of the table.
Until I was finished.
You can see that I did NOT try to smooth out any wrinkles. I really liked this DecoArt Decoupage, it did a fabulous job and made this project quick and easy.
While I was doing this, I saw "states" of the USA. Can you find Texas, or maybe YOUR state?
Add depth and texture to decoupage
To give the paper depth and texture, I did a dry brush effect (technique) over the entire top with the black craft paint.
This is the final result.
I like the tones of brown and black together. I have done this faux leather (brown paper bag technique on several other pieces of furniture) a vanity, a dresser, and some night stands.
So, long story short, the table will still get just as dusty, but it won’t show up so much!
See more Decoupage Projects Here
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Sara Jimenez
I just came across this article and I'm going to do this with an old dining room table I was given that badly needs an upgrade. Any tips for a newbie? Thank you!
Gail Wilson
It's sort of like when you get a haircut and you concentrate on that ONE piece of hair out of place, but nobody else notices?
So, in other words, don't be too hard on yourself. Step back and look at the big picture.
IF this is a dining table that you will be using a lot, you will need to seal it with a polycrylic product to protect the mod podge. Or you can get the newer mod podge product that will last longer.... perhaps the outdoor version? Something that is waterproof.
good luck!
gail
Renee Johnson
Hello 😊 i love your work! Thank you for sharing with us all. My question is, if you dont mind, when you do the dry brush technique with the black craft paint, do you brush it all and then wipe it off somewhat or just in random areas. I so very much want to do this😊 thank you for your time
Gail Wilson
Great question Renee!
You can really do it either way for this kind of project. Test it on a scrap piece to see what you like best. the paint must be diluted a lot to get a "wash" look and not a paint look.
Good luck, let me know how it goes.
gail
Gail Wilson
I would work in small areas at a time. The paint will dry if you work in too large of an area at one time. Less is more in this case. 🙂
gail
Ann Ray
This is great. I want to use this technique to refinish the particle board seat and back of a small vintage metal drafting stool. Had just found a DIY on how to "seal" particle board and was looking for a paint idea when I found this. Could you offer some advice about how to wrap the sides/edges of the wood? Perhaps it isn't difficult at all but I'm a little nervous about being able to keep it smooth. Thanks for any tips.
Gail Wilson
Ann,
I would just use smaller pieces, and either wrap them to the underneath side, or let them hang off slightly and after they dry, use an emery board to file off the extra, allowing the paper to stop right at the bottom edge.
I hope that makes sense and helps you. If you could, I would test this technique on an old cabinet door or scrap piece of wood. If you look closely there is sort of a right and wrong side of the paper, with a little bit difference in the coloring. If that is important to you, take caution to make it all match. 🙂
have fun!
gail
Ann Ray
Thanks, Gail. Yes, that makes sense and great idea to try it on something else first (plenty of scrap wood in my workshop). I appreciate your speedy reply and the great advice! Ann
Belinda VanOwen
I tried this technique this weekend on a 2 door tv stand. I guess I took the advice of "be careful not to smooth out the wrinkles" a little too far. I ended up doing the whole thing with lots of bumps and wrinkles thinking if the bottom cost I'd mod podge didn't make them soggy and flat then surely the top coat would. So although I love the look, it's very "geographic 3D-ish" as even after 2 coats of hard coat modpodge and one coat of shellac, I can run my hands over it and it feels very rough. Any advice? If I try to peel it all off not sure what would happen but I don't know enough about sanding to know if that would work either. Thanks for your thoughts
Gail Wilson
Belinda
I would try sanding it if there are "peaks". I don't think sanding would help if there are just wrinkles. If you're just looking to "smooth" the finish, I'd use very fine grit sandpaper or even plain brown paper (like you used for the decoupage) It might help shine it up or make it smoother. But without pics, it's difficult to say for sure. Wishing you lots of luck!
gail
Kathy Allen
This looks great, I have a high school desk with Formica top, and I am going to spray paint the legs in antique bronze. Would this paper bag technique work on the top? Or do you have any other ideas for the top? I want to use this for a makeup vanity. The space in the front is perfect for a divided basket or tray for makeup. Thanks
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
I'm sure it would work. You might want to put some flat primer on the surface first if you think the glue won't stick. You could use my diy chalky paint primer recipe.
https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/diy-chalky-paint-recipe-makes-a-great-primer/
good luck, it sounds like a great project!
gail
CodeHeidi
I'm currently doing this to a table to see how it comes out. Could you do this with other colors? Like with construction paper? I wanted to do it in gray, but couldn't find anyone that had used that before so I stuck with brown paper.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
hmmm I'm not really sure if construction paper would work or not. That is a really good question. I would say if it's on the thinner side, more like copy paper, yes. As a former teacher, I know some construction paper was pretty thick, and I'm thinking it may not have worked. But, if you wrinkle it really well, it may. That would look awesome!
I should try it someday to see how it looks.
thanks for stopping by, good luck with your project!
gail
Josephine/Pinky
I've also seen people use this technique to cover floors. I imagine that would be quite time consuming and you'd have to stay off the floor in the meantime. I imagine stuck on dog hair in my case. You table looks lovely.
Holly
That's the stand I was thinking about! It looks great.
Susan Homeroad
Oh that is very cool.... I've never seen that before... it's a great save for a table with a very dented top 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Brad
If I were going to do this to a dining table, would I need to take an extra step in sealing it some way for easier cleanup? (Not that I use my dining table that often! I'm usually in front of the tv LOL)
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Brad,
I would seal it with some polycrylic (minwax) It's a durable finish you can get in a satin, or glossy finish depending on your preference. It's water based, so easy cleanup.
Happy you stopped by and left a comment
gail
ps I'm generally in front of the t.v. too....lol
Gina
That looks great! I did something similar to a beat up old Ikea table.
NayNay
Can I do this with mod lodge? I have a black shiny TV stand that shows every fingerprint from grandkids & it drives me crazy!!!
Gail Wilson
Yes, you can easily do this with Mod Podge. I would sand the top slightly so that the paper sticks a little better.
good luck!
gail
SweetPepperRose
This is such a cool project! I have two end table that are in need to a re-do - had thought about doing them with old maps, but now that I see this, I love it even more!
Gail Wilson
I'm happy you found this post! It's a fun treatment for sure.
have fun!
gail
Anonymous
I would love to see Pictures of the wall you did. I have been looking for pictures of the walls-
Did you stain or do any other glaze? To add the rich colors?
Skye3312@gmail.com
If you want to send photos.
Thanks so much
Angie
Anonymous
This came out great!
Lauren Kuchenbrod
I have a dresser that NEEDS this. It's got gorgeous bones to it, but the previous owner painted it horribly and then put marble-print shelving paper inside the drawers and even ON THE TOP. And not in a way that fit its curves... just slapped down a straight roll of it. This should really bring it back to life!
Monica Fraser
What is dry brushing technique..and can I do a clear varnish over top of it?
decoupage
Well done, another sample of great furniture decoupage
Char
I did the same thing on my living room floor. Great job!
Teresa
I did this same technique on a wall. I painted the paper first, a couple shades of purple and then tore it up and used wallpaper paste to put it on the wall.
It was really cool. I don't live in that home anymore and can't find a picture of course!
But thanks for reminding me about that!
Design-House.com
CUTE! Wish.. would work great for a table with dings etc... covers them right up! Thanks.
Debra
DesignHouse Inc. - House plans
http://design-house-plans.blogspot.com/
Corn in my Coffee-Pot
and lets face it~ until you Gail, yes, You! come up with a nifty 'faux dust' treatment and make it trendy, we'll just have to camouflage our dust by any means possible! LOL...
I have a 'faux leather' chest o'drawers (I got the idea from your faux leather vanity!)
I love it...and am actually getting ready to do some more of it myself!
Did I miss this detail ? About how long do you think it took for the total project (excluding photography of course) ?
Pat
Kathy@ Gone North
Very good looking... nice job!!
I have done this before.. my son bought an old farm house, with cement walls in the back room entry, we did this there on the walls a few yrs. ago & it looks fantastic. I have never thought to do this on furniture..
Next project for me.. : ) might be a good idea on furniture where veneer is missing & cracking...to cover the sins.. : )
Gloria Fox @ Potentially Beautiful
I love black furniture, but not that it shows dust an hour after dusting. That doesn't go well with my OCD on clean surfaces. lol Cool project. I can see using this in so many different ways.