The Cutest DIY Fluted Game Table and How to Stain Wood with Craft Paint - ORC Week 6 - Pretty Real

The Cutest DIY Fluted Game Table and How to Stain Wood with Craft Paint - ORC Week 6

10:41 AM

 Thank you Handy Paint for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are mine.



It's week 6 of the One Room Challenge™ and today I'm bringing you a fun tutorial for how to make a fluted side table. This is one of those trending DIYs that I just had to get out of my system. And bonus, I'm also sharing how I stain wood with craft paint. Once you do it this way, you'll never want to go back! Ever since I stained our DIY framed mirror with craft paint, I've been obsessed with the method and have fielded lots of questions in my DMs so now I'll have it in one place for you. This DIY takes a little time but is actually fun and easy to do (unlike caulking. IYKYK), so let's get to it- here's how to make a DIY fluted table in a beautiful oak-like finish and I'm using my favorite Handy Paint painting products which always help a project go more smoothly.

Staining Supplies:

Handy Paint Roller Cup 

Handy Paint Craft Cup

Paint Brush

Craft paint in colors of choice- I used Linen, Black, and Coffee Bean

Water

Table Supplies:

Pine Edge Glued Round Board

Half Round Moulding- I used 21 of these (for 62 total pieces). These are great too.

Concrete Form

Box Cutter/X-acto knife or craft knife - I used this




Step by Step Instructions:

Step 1: Measure and mark your concrete form to the desired height. Don't forget to subtract the height of your tabletop from it like I did. oops. To do this, measure from the bottom and mark- I made a mark about every 1/2 inch or so so that I could easily "connect the dots" when I cut the form. Note about choosing height: Because ours is a game table, I made it 29 inches- the same height as our dining table. If you're not sure, measure a table in your home with an ideal height and use that number. 


Step 2: Cut your form. You can see how I did it in my Instagram highlight. Slow and steady, people- It took a couple of passes with my craft knife to cut through the cardboard.

Step 3: Cut your trim. I used our very-vintage-needs-to be-replaced chop saw to cut my dowels to 28 inches. Your dowels should be the exact length as your form.

Step 4: It's time to nail those cuties in. Line up the bottom of the trim with the form and nail in place. Use a level to make sure it's straight- you'll want to use a flat and level surface like the floor. Carpet isn't ideal- and then add another nail or two. I used 3-4 nails per dowel.


Helpful hints: make sure that the first piece is straight. You can adjust slightly as you go but if it's really off it'll be hard to adjust! Also, make sure to sink your nails. I learned the hard way that it's really hard to tap them in after the fact so my finished product boasts a few nail heads. It adds charm, I say. Lastly, at least one end of the table should be level- my cuts were not exact but since I lined up each dowel on one end, it made for a nice even base for the tabletop. The other end wasn't as even but you can't even tell once it's flipped over. Make sure to use the level as you go just to make sure your dowels aren't going awry.


Step 5: Fill and sand your nail holes. It's weirdly satisfying to watch them disappear. 


Step 6: Glue the base to the tabletop. Turn your form over, place it on the tabletop and adjust so that it's in the center. There's probably a more efficient way to do it but I measured from each side and adjusted until it was even. Trace around the base to create a guide for the glue. Glue along your traced line and carefully place the base on it, adjusting as needed. Once it's a little dry, carefully flip it over and add weight to the top. Follow directions on your glue for drying time.



How to Stain with Craft Paint




Step 7: Now comes the fun part. To stain with craft paint, I find it easiest to create the color I want first and then add water. I love using the Handy Paint Craft Cup to mix paint. Prior to having their nifty cup, I used real dishes. How gross is that?! The craft cup is easy to clean and much larger than the little paint cups you'd find at the craft store. When mixing, go easy with black- a drop at a time is best. Also, have an inspiration tone near you (or on your phone) to compare. Use a test piece too- it's so helpful to see how it looks on the wood. It's pretty fun to mix the colors (what can I say? I'm obsessed with color theory) so don't be stressed about exact amounts. The goal is to get the tone you want with the craft paint.  You can see my process in stories!

Paint before I added water



Step 8: Once you have your desired color, add water. I used about 1 1/2 c of water to 1/4 c of paint (if that). I poured both into the Handy Roller Cup but you could also use the Handy Paint Pail. Just like the black paint, start slow with the water. The more water you use, the more sheer the color will be and the more the wood grain will show. The less you use, the more opaque it will be. Again, a test piece is your friend here. Make sure to mix it well and continue mixing as you go. The paint tends to settle at the bottom over time. This is one reason the more shallow Handy Roller Cup is so convenient for this project.




Optional: Use polyurethane to protect it if necessary. 

That's it. Style that cutie, kiss it, take a photo with it. Do all the things because you're a rock star and you just MADE a table!  

Chair  |  Rug



I was so married to the idea of a cute little table for a card game or a cup of coffee in the loft that I adjusted our custom sectional to accommodate it! I love sitting at it with a cup of coffee and a devotional. Speaking of my plans for the room, check out the other tasks below (TWO WEEKS PEOPLE!) and make sure to visit the other featured designers to see what they're up to!

Task List:

Install Vertical Paneling

Hide all the Cords!

Build a Built-in Entertainment System

    - build and hang IKEA boxes

    - build DIY shelves

    - make a countertop

    -add trim to media shelves

    -install semi-handmade doors and toe-kick

    -Fill gaps and add baseboards back 

    -Fill gaps in DIY shelves, caulk, etc 

Paint the Built-In/cabinetry

Paint the Room 

DIY game/side table 

Choose Art - I shared a sneak peek on Instagram but I just adore this!

Choose Accessories (hardware, pillows, drapes...)

Style and Shoot!

Catch the previous weeks here: week 1,  week 2week 3, week 4, and week 5! Make sure to check out the progress of the other featured designers here:

Ariene C. Bethea | At Home With Ashley | Banyan Bridges | Bari J. Ackerman | Brit Arnesen

Brownstone BoysCass Makes Home | Dominique Gebru | Gray Space InteriorsHaneen's Haven

Home Ec. | Nile Johnson Design | Pennies for a fortune | Prepford Wife | Rachel Moriarty Interiors

Sachi Lord | Susan Hill Interior Design This Is Simplicite Victoria Lee Jones

Media BH&G | TM ORC






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