Patriotic accessories, traditionally used as a seasonal decorating addition, are also becoming popular for year-round decorating. Carol Schalla, interior design director for Country Sampler Decorating Ideas magazine, explains how to personalize a coffee table using American wallpaper decoupage. Stars and Stripes Coffee Table Materials:
Prepasted wallpaper with stars-and-stripes pattern
Coffee table, unfinished or stained
Wood stain to complement wallpaper colors (reddish pine works well)
Foam brush
Scissors
Clean rags
Pan of water
Acrylic polyurethane
Paintbrush
- If you're working with an unfinished table, apply wood stain and allow to dry.
- Cut out pieces of wallpaper -- flag motifs or starred borders -- and arrange them on the table in your desired pattern.
- Wet the wallpaper as directed, and paste each cutout in place on the table. Use a rag to smooth out bubbles and wipe off excess moisture (figure A). Make sure all edges are flat. Allow to dry.
- Use a foam brush to apply a coat of stain to the entire piece (figure B). Include the wallpaper areas, but avoid soaking them. Wipe off excess stain with a clean rag, and allow the stained surface to dry. The coat of stain will lend an antique look to the wallpaper, making it blend nicely with the wood background.
- Seal the piece with two or three coats of polyurethane, allowing the surface to dry between coats.
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