Decorate a Table With Bamboo Veneer Flowers

Looking to give a coffee or side table an organic, floral twist? This article will show you how to make your own pattern from photos of gerber daisies and cosmos (or the flowers of your choice) and apply them with bamboo veneer. This treatment would also look great on many other types of painted furniture. How about a 70s geometric pattern on a boring cabinet?

Steps

 * 1) [[Image:Table_7d87.jpg|thumb]]Find photos of flowers you want to use (or draw your own freehand).
 * 2) [[Image:Table_9322.jpg|thumb]]Draw a rough sketch of your design.
 * 3) [[Image:Table_6858.jpg|thumb]]Measure your tables and make sure your paper is going to be big enough for your design.
 * 4) [[Image:Table_3e1e5.jpg|thumb]]Clip a sheet of paper to the clipboard and lean it against the wall. Place your image under the projector and aim it at the clipboard. (You could tape the sheet of paper to the wall instead, but the clipboard provides a smoother surface for tracing.) Measure the projection and adjust the distance of the projector from the wall until you achieve the right size flower. This cosmo is 18 inches in diameter.
 * 5) [[Image:Table_888.jpg|thumb]]Trace the outline of the flower, then cut it out. You may find using a craft knife to be faster than scissors. Use whatever tool you’re more comfortable with.
 * 6) [[Image:Table_7737.jpg|thumb]]Tape the flower to the table to visualize your pattern and decide the size of your next flower.
 * 7) [[Image:Table_4318.jpg|thumb]]Repeat steps 4 — 6 for each additional flower. Make sure the table looks good from every angle.
 * 8) [[Image:Table_932.jpg|thumb]]Draw a line in each flower where the edge of the table is. Line up this line with the grain of the veneer. Keep the veneer grain consistent throughout your project. Then tape each pattern to the veneer and trace it with a pencil.
 * 9) [[Image:Table_1307.jpg|thumb]]Cut around the outside edge to create a smaller, less unwieldy piece to work with.
 * 10) [[Image:Table_4385.jpg|thumb]]Cut out the shape with kitchen shears (or other heavy-duty scissors). You may want to smooth out some of the sharp curves as you cut to make it easier to cut out.
 * 11) [[Image:Table_1376.jpg|thumb]]Use a heavy-duty craft knife and a self-healing mat to cut out each center. This is the hardest part of the entire project.
 * 12) [[Image:Table_3e83.jpg|thumb]]Using a ruler, mark and trim off the pieces that will be adhered to the sides of the tables.
 * 13) [[Image:Table_8930.jpg|thumb]]For the flower that crosses over the two tables, cut it in half along the edge. Then trace and cut a duplicate of each piece. These will be adhered to the sides of the tables.
 * 14) Erase all the visible pencil marks, then lightly sand the jagged edges of every piece of veneer you’ve cut.
 * 15) [[Image:Table_7932.jpg|thumb]]Using a ruler and pencil, mark and trim off excess pieces. If you have any pieces that extend from the side of the table to the leg, cut at the seam so the leg will still be removable.
 * 16) [[Image:Table_8931.jpg|thumb]]Paint a thin coat of polyurethane on the top and sides of all the pieces. Let dry three hours. Lightly sand, then apply a second coat. Let dry overnight.
 * 17) [[Image:Table_9448.jpg|thumb]]Apply a thin layer of glue on the back of one piece at a time. Cover the entire surface. Turn it over and place the piece on your table. Press down.
 * 18) [[Image:Table_3236.jpg|thumb]]Stack a couple of heavy books on top until the glue cures. Tape the side pieces down with masking tape or painter’s tape.
 * 19) Remove the tape and books a few hours later. The glue will fully cure in 48 to 72 hours.

Things You'll Need

 * Table
 * Large sheets of newsprint or butcher paper
 * [[Image:Table_56e6.jpg|thumb]]Paper-backed bamboo veneer (the veneer used in this example is from Moso Veneer Products; as of this writing, it’s $2 per square foot, sold in 4- by 8-foot sheets; that’s way too much for this project, but you can probably think of 101 uses for the leftovers)
 * Amazing Goop household contact adhesive and sealant (wood glue doesn’t work.)
 * Photos of flowers
 * Removable double-sided tape
 * Fine sandpaper
 * Polyurethane (in this example, an 8oz. can of Minwax fast-drying polyurethane in clear semi-gloss was used)
 * Masking tape or painter’s tape
 * Tracer projector
 * Pencil and Mars plastic eraser
 * Ruler
 * Tape measure
 * Kitchen shears
 * Scissors
 * Craft knife/self-healing mat
 * Artist clipboard (optional)
 * Foam paintbrush

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Make Table Placemats with Leaves
 * How to Make a Floral Centrepiece
 * How to Create a Decorative Floral Margarita

Sources and Citations

 * CraftyNest.com - Original source, shared with permission.
 * Bamboo Flooring Bamboo Flooring Manufacturer