Create a Faux Inlay with Paper

It is easy to recreate the rich look of faux furniture for under $10. All that is needed is an old piece of furniture, some decorative paper and a clear coat or varnish and you can have the rich look of inlay furniture in an afternoon.

After deciding upon a piece of wood furniture, take a trip to a local craft supply store for some decorative paper. Depending upon what type of inlay you want to recreate, find paper with the same hues. It is easy to recreate the rich look of wood or pearl inlay by using a couple different shades of paper. If you are an avid shopper and have paper shopping bags from department stores, this paper can be recycled and used to create the look that you want as well.

After deciding upon the design that you want to create and finding the perfect paper, it is time to decide upon a decorative layout. The possibilities are endless depending upon the look that you want to achieve. Cutting the paper for your design is the most time consuming part of this project. It is best to use a paper cutter with a sharp edge to insure that the paper has clean, straight edges.

Once the paper is cut for your design, it is time to start placing it onto the furniture. A damp sponge is all that is needed to hold the paper in place. By moistening the back of the paper, it is easy to move the paper around until you get the desired look but it will also adhere until the clear coat is applied.

Once all of the paper is positioned and the design that you envisioned is complete, it is time to apply the clear coat. One coat should be sufficient and once it is completely dry, you have a one of a kind, custom designed piece of faux inlaid furniture that is ready to be displayed. The same procedure can be used on decorative pieces to accent the room. This is an easy way to pull together a custom look on a shoestring budget.