*This post has been sponsored by Porch, but all opinions are my own.
When Porch, a great site for finding home professionals and DIY inspiration, asked me if I wanted to participate in their Pattern Play challenge, I jumped at the chance. Porch sent each blogger one roll of Scout & Nimble wallpaper and challenged us to play with pattern and texture to create something great.
I decided to go a bit wild and choose the flamingo print paper because how fun are flamingos, right? Plus, I knew it wasn’t exactly a safe choice and would push me outside of my comfort zone a bit. I really love challenges to use products or supplies I may not find or use on my own because I almost always end up with something I’m pretty excited about.
Like would I have ever ended up with a fab flamingo table if it weren’t for #PatternPlay? I’m gonna guess no.
Here’s how this fun piece of furniture came to be:
We started off by building a simple console table. I wanted something with clean lines that would let the wallpaper’s pattern shine, and Ana White’s Parson’s Bookshelf was the perfect starting point. I adjusted the plans a bit – making it a taller, console height, and removing the bottom shelf – and had my husband help me cut the wood and assemble it because I still have a wee fear of power tools. (I’m working on it… Kind of.)
Since I was planning on covering the table, we purchased inexpensive wood and only spent about $30 on lumber.
Once the console was built, it was time to wrap that baby in pretty flamingo wallpaper! The task was a bit daunting, but I found the trick was cutting the paper so it would wrap flat around the table. Here’s how I did it – I started by wrapping each of the legs. I cut a piece of wallpaper a few inches taller than the table and 7 inches wide (enough to wrap all the way around each leg with a little extra for overlap).
Then I pressed the paper around the outside of the legs, and cut slits at the tops of bottoms of each shelf. I brushed mod podge over one side of the leg at a time and carefully pressed and smoothed the paper on. It takes a bit of time to get the paper on smoothly, but it’s worth it!
At the top of the table I cut a slit at the corner and use mod podge to smooth down the two flaps. Pretty soon I had all four legs covered.
Next up – shelves! I cut pieces long enough to cover the entire shelf. Then I cut out the corners of the piece so the paper could wrap around the shelf in between the legs.
Again, I used lots of mod podge and smoothing to get the paper attached. Since wall paper is a pretty durable surface, I didn’t put any mod podge on top of the paper. It wipes clean, and has a fun embossed texture.
This funky little table is currently in our dining room, where I like it quite a bit.
To give the bottom of the shelves a more finished look, I painted the centers where the wrapping paper didn’t reach. You’d probably have to be laying on my floor to see it, but I like knowing it’s there.
So, what do you guys think? Could you handle a flamingo table in your house?
If so, good news! You could win supplies for your own wall paper project! One lucky winner will receive $100 Scout & Nimble gift card. Woot! Enter in the Rafflecopter widget below:
Comments + Project Love
Gwe says
Oh, my gosh. That is adorable! When I was 14, I had some pink flamingo earrings. I’ll always love flamingos!
persialou says
Thanks, Gwen! I love flamingos too. I grew up in San Diego, and I vividly remember seeing the flamingos at the zoo there as a kid and being completely amazed.
Anu says
Such a cute wallpaper and a fun and creative use of it! <3
persialou says
Thanks, Anu!
Krista @ the happy housie says
This turned out so well, Alexis!! What a fun wallpaper- and such a cute way to use the paper! I checked out the patterns available and I love Isabelle!
Jen @ Fresh Crush says
I’m a sucker for a flamingo! Love this, it’s so fun!
Breanna says
I was eyeing that Flamingo paper but was too scared to take the plunge! I’m so glad you did though because this table is fab and most definitely one of a kind 😉
persialou says
Haha! Yes it’s definitely the only one out there!