Yes, it can be done. You can make your own designer table that has a really interesting leather look for pennies, and all by using ordinary paper bags. What is more, is that you can use this same technique to create other pieces of furniture and even a durable and unique floor. It is a DIY (Do It Yourself) project like no other.
When I heard about this idea, I thought immediately of my friend, Elaine. She is always coming up with unique ideas for making her own household items. Well, I think I have her beat on this one. It is such an unusual bit of home improvement that will have your friends and family wondering where you bought it.
First you’ll need a smooth table. There are a few different ways to get a table. You can buy an inexpensive particle board one purchased at your local store, get a garage sale or freecycle find, or even just take a piece of plywood and mount it on top of some sort of pedestal or legs. Maybe you already have an old table that needs new life. Just work with what you have.
Next, tear grocery bags into small pieces and apply them to your table top (writing side down, if there is any writing) with wallpaper paste. When the surface is dry, apply a golden oak stain. The stain will soak in more in some places than in others, and it will make the tabletop look like leather. When the stain is dry, apply four to six coats of polyurethane sealer, sanding the surface between the coats. Install quarter round molding (which can be purchased inexpensively at a home improvement store) around the edges to give it a finished look and to keep the edges down. That is all that it takes to make yourself a beautiful, but very frugal designer table.
Mary Ann Romans also writes for the Computing Blog here at Families.com where she shares everything from the latest news on technology to cool downloads and fun websites.
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