How To ~ Faux "Wood" Kitchen Table Top

Check out how I made my white table top look like this!

It's not perfect, and it's just a faux finish, but now I have the "look" of wood.

I bought this table for $15.00 at a thrift store.  It was scratched and the leaf had a name carved in it.  I tossed out that part and painted the rest of the table ivory.

Well, after a few years I decided I wanted a natural wood table and white chairs.  After looking around  for about 6 months...I decided to do the FAUX!

Here's how it started.

First I used a coat of Kilz.

I picked a satin paint color that was sort of a nutmeg/yellow/ gold for the base.  And let it dry.

And then my trusty "Aged Oak" gel stain.

I started brushing it on in very straight strokes.  I used enough on the brush to stroke from the center of each row and out to both edges.

When the whole table was covered...I started adding in the darker streaks.  I did this pretty light handed because the gel stain wants to start globbing up pretty fast.   I also tried to bring it down the sides to sort of follow the same grain.  On the ends of the table I went the same as the grain.

I would brush up the sides about 1 ft. down the table and then fill in the top, then brush up the side again.. and fill in the top again. Working my way along the table.

This is the shot where it looks like a brushed on "wood" top.  But in most lights, and times of day it just looks like a real wood table top.

My last step will be to use a paste wax or rub on clear coat to make it more durable.

Go ahead and try it.  Just do it when you won't have to stop or have any interuptions.

I did mine at midnight the other night  :)

Kelly