Simulated Wood Inlay
For centuries games have held a dominant place within the traditions of families and the home. This painted game table incorporates a simulated inlay effect that fits well within this period style. The final result is unassuming with little ornamentation, but maintains a style and character of its own due to the darker inlayed wood contrasting with the lighter background. Tone on tone, this technique is one of my favorites, offering an opportunity to be creative while remaining uncomplicated in its final presentation.
Color Essentials
Fundimentals of color. It will set you free!
Using color at home or in the office - for paintings, furniture or any artistic challenge - takes a good eye, a little know how, and a creative imagination. Create custom color schemes and color effects in your home or office. Learn how to use the best base color, create a glaze, mixing colors, and more.
Color Palette
Colonial Maple
Dark Walnut
Step 1:
1. Beginning with an unfinished piece of furniture, I stain all the surfaces except for the top with Colonial Maple wood stain. 220 grit sandpaper insures that I start with a smooth finish in which to begin my pattern transfer.
Step 2:
To get the proper proportions, I trace the top outside dimensions on tracing paper and cut the form out to use as my template. I then find the center point and mark it as a guide. Following the pattern provided in this book on page XX, I scale the image to my required size, lay my tracing paper template over the drawing and outline the pattern. I can now place my pattern onto the table top and secure it with tape.
Using tracing paper allows me to see the table form beneath my drawing and guarantees my image is centered. Though I’ve use a circular table for this demonstration, the pattern provided works equally well on a square table top.
Artists Brushes
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Step 3:
Transferring the image
Sliding a sheet of transfer paper (page xx) under my pattern I begin to trace the forms out to leave an impression on the table top.
Step 4:
Preparing the ‘inlay’
This next procedure is the key to this treatment. Using a sharp razor blade/knife I incise into the wooden top, working over the outline image. A metal ruler is necessary to maintain straight lines. The incised pattern insures that the subsequent application of stain does not bleed past the pattern lines, creating the sharp, crisp lines necessary for the inlayed wood appearance.
Pre-mixed Glazes
Ready, set, GO!
Getting going with these premixed glazes. Select one of our pre-mixed glaze colors or create your own. We custom mix any color from all major paint manufacturers. Just pick your own color from any swatch book and let us know the paint name and number and we'll send you the right glaze - interior or exterior - custom matched to your liking.
Create classic effects such as colorwashing, dragging, striee, antiquing effects, furniture effects and much more!
Step 5:
Apply the secondary stain, Dark Walnut, with a No. 1 brush. Stay just inside the incised lines and watch the unfinished wood pull the stain toward the edges, stopping just at the incise line.
Step 6:
. Continue this process, first incising the line with the sharp razor, then filling in with the Dark Walnut stain. Cutting along the curves details takes a bit more patience, and don’t worry if you go outside the lines of the drawing. You can expect a small amount of bleeding past the lines when you are working over cross grain areas.
Step 7:
Accent the table by adding lines as boarders. Choose unique details on your table (if present) to highlight. This introduces the secondary stain onto the lower portion of the table, creating a visually balanced and unified object.
Step 8:
When dry, I cover the top with my first wood stain, Colonial Maple. Apply loosely and generously with a brush.
Step 9:
Wipe excess stain with a clean rag.
Step 10:
A clear coat, satin sealer is my final application. 2 coats may be necessary, lightly sanding with 330 grit sandpaper in between application, always sanding in the direction of the wood grain.
Be creative with your design!
This technique allows for a wide variety of patterns and colors that go beyond even the potential of real wood inlay. Mix it up, add colors. Create new patterns. Customize it for your family!
More ways to use this technique!
Use this technique to create inlayed floors too! Visit our painted inlay floor tutorial.
Create great interior accents for your living space with painted inlay floor borders. Learn this technique now!
This simulated inlay floor uses the center field to create a large tile effect, with the border adding interest and wider color options to fully accent the room.
Early American Style
Colonial Amercians drew inspriation from their European heritage. Curent design styles would filter across the ocean and become reinventedin early America. Proportion and scale took reign over ornementation, A neutral color palette of grey blue, greens and rose pinks is readily apparent.
Venetian Plaster
Polished Plaster, or Stucco Veneziano, is a Traditional wall treatment that provides a glossy, visually textured wall finish. Venetian Plaster is a natural formula composed of organic ingredients, calcium, and acrylic binders creating a decorative paste plaster for interior applications. Polishing the surface compresses the calcium within the compound, creating a narble-like finish, cool and hard to the touch.
This treatment is quite versitile, ranging from a rustic backdrop to a refined and elegant finish.
The Rustic Color Palette
The Rustic Style color palette falls within a distinct range of color tones and is essential in creating a successful Rustic interior. By using the appropriate color tones you can create a variety of design styles ranging from Period and Historic, regional or thematic. Color helps define our experiences within an interior and exterior environment. It affects us on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level and can be calming and passive, expressive and vital.
Painted Floral Details
Floral patterns used as accents in fabrics and furniture are common place details in the English Country home. These graceful and organic patterns complement the cozy interior of this style and work particularly well with lace window treatments, an heirloom tea service set and the natural and rustic charm of wooden ceiling beams and slightly irregularly textured walls.