Daily Dose Blogger Bios
Marble Marvel
Thank goodness Al Gore invented the Internet or I may never have found these out-of-this-world marbled papers :
I was actually looking for inspiration to paper my IKEA coffee table (yes, it can be done--with rubber cement!) when I stumbled upon a site called PAPERmojo which is full of colors and styles. My favorite is the agate pattern at top. I've never seen this peach, aqua, yellow and red combination anywhere--it could be a room unto itself. If you're not up for a furniture treatment you could use the 22" x 29" sheets to wrap presents or make your own envelopes--just deconstruct a regular one to use as a pattern, fold and rubber cement the edges. If I had kids (Nick Jr. and Sheila Laverne), all their textbooks would be covered in marbled paper. Don't these remind you of the insides of beautiful old books anyway? Four dollars a sheet!
Hi-
I saw the IKEA covered coffee table in a recent issue of Domino and loved the idea. Any additional info on how exactly you did this? How do you make it smooth? I assume you apply some varnish to the top to protect the paper? Thanks in advance.
-Jennifer
hi jennifer,
so the pros do this with a clay-based adhesive, but you can use spray mount or even rubber cement. cut the paper to fit and smooth the bubbles with the pages end of a paperback book, working out from the center. to seal i'd use polyurethan (but try a small piece first to make sure it doesn't discolor).
good luck!
nick
I'm just now connecting that you are the guy with the fabulous apartment that was featured a couple of months ago in Domino. I tore out every page of your home spread. Thanks for the "how to" on the coffee table. I also loved the black and white rug you made.
thank you!!
Hi Nick! Nice suggestion to cover Ikea stuff with contact paper. But what if I want to cover some bookshelves? Is there a way to, say, roughen the surface and apply a paint that won't flake off?
Hi Raea! Yes indeed you can paint IKEA laminate -- I used high gloss black paint on a "Billy" bookcase and it looks like lacquer. Just sand lightly, dust, and use a foam brush !!
these papers would also make beautiful framing mats! (just discovered your blog, and i love it. i've been casting about for a new design blog, as i've tired of the old favorites. you win!)