Do you love the look of grain sack like I do? Seriously, I could put it on anything and never tire of it. In a minute I am going to share how to make a grain sack table. But first, in times past, I’ve created my own faux grain sack fabric for this antique rocking chair see below.
this sweet little ottoman…
…and my own pillows, decor…you get the idea. I love it!
DIY TIME
For this post, I’m going to introduce you to my oldest son, Mr. I, so he can show you how easy this method is – that even a teenager can do it. He is one of my six budding apprentices, and has been working alongside me for quite some time. Mr. I enjoys creating his own masterpieces, and selling them in my shop and locally to create a nice savings for himself.
It’s fun to help him find pieces that are deemed worthy of a makeover, and assist here and there, but for the most part, he does all the work. Here’s his latest vintage garage sale find…a solid wood Queen Anne coffee table.
American made and quality cherry wood, but has some water damage and wear to the surface that makes it a good candidate for his project. I do believe this is his largest project so far.
He has already learned how to do basic sanding and knows how to get a workable surface – to give it “teeth” (something for the paint to stick to).
NEXT STEPS
Once done with the sanding, it’s time to paint to get that grain sack table look. Though French shabby chic isn’t his style, he knows that he wants it to sell and goes with what we feel the table is lending itself to. The Queen Anne legs and skirted bottom, all create that shabby feel.
Since I had enough Deco Art Chalky Finish paint in Lace leftover from my recent blue beauty (you’ve got to see this one!), he went with that color for the table.
Mr I. has already learned about brush strokes, and such, so I just let him have at it. Cool, huh?
DETAILS
I’ve taught him how important it is to have a smooth base coat, because no matter how hard you try, it’s going to come through your topcoat even though the topcoat is good.
After two coats of paint, he agreed with me that this table needed some pizzazz. I really felt this table needed a faux grain sack stripe to take it to the next level. So, with our Frog Tape for delicate surfaces in hand, we laid out the first main stripe about 1½” wide on center.
PAINT TIME
Once the taped lines are laid on, it’s time for the fun. PAINT! We were after a smoky gray stripe, and wanted to use more of the Deco Art product, so we used the Carbon color mixed with Lace to create a custom color.
With a small round sponge brush that’s lightly coated, he pounced in the lines, not quite filling it solid so that the paint resembled woven fabric.
For added dimension, we wanted a triple stripe, and to do that we just wait until the first stripe has dried, and then tape for the second stripe about ¼” away from the large one and is also itself ¼” wide. A ruler is your friend in this instance. You will do the same for the third stripe on the other side after the second has dried.
We have our youngest apprentice looking on and taking notes. tee hee hee.
NEXT STEPS
Again, for added dimension, we wanted to add some typography to make this table unique. Sometimes I use my artist’s pastels transfer method, but this time I created my graphic in Photoshop (you could use a Word document), printed it in mirrored (reversed) method onto freezer paper cut into office paper size (8½” x 11″). Being careful not to touch the printed side, place the image ink side down, and use tape to hold it in place.
Next, using a firm edge of a credit card or ruler (whatever you have), rub firmly all over. Once you lift it up it will look pixellated, and you can leave it like that, but I like to take the tiniest bit of water and an artists’ brush to gently brush the ink around and fill in the text.
After that, he distressed the table with a 150 grit sandpaper to show time-worn wear, then finished with two coats of hand-rubbed paste wax. Yay! His faux grain sack table is done.
THE REVEAL
Are you ready for my big man’s reveal? I’m one proud Mama!
Mr. I did a wonderful job in not only painting, but creating that rustic feel and a truly one-of-a-kind piece.
From the legs right up to the top, you wouldn’t know this was once a lonely garage sale table.
Doesn’t it look so farmhouse chic? You can see my hand-painted linen pillows in the background. I told you I loved that me some grain sack. However, this mama would faint using the real deal grain sack with 6 kids, a dog, and a cat around.
So you see, if my teenage son can do this grain sack table, I KNOW you can! If you have your sights on this sweet piece, you can find it available in my shop. UPDATE: His table sold in an hour! YAY!!
Share so others can try it too! (and so you don’t forget – wink, wink)
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More DIY projects for you like this grain sack table:
Larissa, your son Isaac did an AWESOME job! A true prodigy he is! Isaac you have a great talent, creativity! If folks don’t have the “creative” part, it’s not something you can teach. But you have been well schooled and nurtured in that department!
Kudos for the Kiddo!
Be blessed, Hope
Thank you so much, Hope. He is beside himself because it just sold within an hour of listing. He says, “Thanks!” 😀
Talent and hard work, bet he got that from Mama! Glad it paid-off so fast. He now has a summer job!
Thanks, Ellen! Yes, he’s done quite a few pieces already, but this is his largest one so far. He’s already got another one in the works. (saving up for a car takes time!) 😉
Excellent job Isaac, you’ve watched and learned well from your Mama. Congratulations on selling your first major piece and how exciting that it sold within an hour! Looking forward to seeing more of your pieces.
Thank you, Marie. You’ve made his day. 😀
There is a certain pride a mother gets when her child creates something special! I know you must be feeling this way today! Great job Isaac !!! (I’m sharing this with my daughters – maybe it will rub off on them) 😉
Hee hee hee…I hope so! Thanks for the kind words, and yes, very proud Mama.
Isaac did a beautiful job on his table! Love the feed sack look!You must be so proud of him! I remember my grandmother doing that with cushions for the rocking chairs on their front porch. She had a roller that granddad made and she would roll it through paint and then follow a big T-Square ruler edge to paint it. We had fun with her teaching us to redo furniture and crafting!
Go grandma!! Yes, I’ve used a roller to do the same thing before…great minds think alike, eh? Thank you for stopping by!
Oh my goodness! Your son did a phenomenal job! Such great attention to detail. I would pay big bucks for a piece like this!
Awww…thank you, Sarah. He had fun once he started to see it coming to fruition. Getting the grunt work done, can be challenging.
Wow, what an accomplishment. I love it and it’s no wonder it sold sold so fast. He deserves a big pat on the back!!
He got a big kick out of it, and then stumbled when I said he was treating us to lunch. 😉
So pretty and Thanks for sharing your transfer method. I’ve never heard of that one and now want to try it soon! Love the child labor:) They are darling!
Yes, you’ll love that method, Wendi. Easy for a quick project. Thanks for stopping by!
Isaac did a fantastic job! Can’t wait to see his next project.
Thank you, Tamra. He’s already got another one in the works. 😉
I know you’re SO proud of him – he did a fabulous job! I love this. I’ve got the same (formerly oak) table that I did in distressed black about 5 years ago. Hmmm, may be time for an update!
Ooh…that would be an awesome transformation, Sondra. Thanks for stopping by and showing us love! 😀
Great job, Isaac, and congrats on the quick sale! So inspiring! I LOVE it! Keep up the good work. Kuddos to you, Larissa, for teaching your “apprentices” to understand and love to create and inspire others as you do. Too many youngsters these days just want to spend time with their devices or captive in front of tv or computer. Great to see.
Thanks so much!! He had a blast, even though we butted heads a bit. It’s all part of the learning. 😉
I havnt tried this yet but you made it seem super easy. Thanks for alll the tips!
You are most welcome! I’d love to see what you do with it. 😀
How amazing! That’s pretty impressive for a 13 year old!
Thank you! He does good work and tries hard.
Awesome job !
Thank you from the two of us! 😀
Can you please tell me where you got that rug beneath the finished table? Thank you so much.
Sure. I got it through Decor Steals HERE. It’s only available at certain times, but if you sign up for the email you’ll be notified.