Faux Finishing

I recently painted a dining room table because everything in the room was brown and boring. I wanted to add a pop of color to the room's centerpiece. Check out the before, during and after pix. 

I started by picking a "happy" base color. This apple green was just right!
Before I began painting, I lightly sanded the surface of the table since it had a clear coat varnish on it.
This was going to help the paint "stick" better. Notice that I used a drop cloth of paper
and I lifted the table up on risers (made of paint cans). If any paint sticks to paper
it creates a problem for removing the object after it dries. 

I chose a very dark, and thinned down brown/black acrylic for the "wash".
I use an acrylic "extender" to thin my acrylic paint out for "washes". 

After applying a generous amount of "wash" I use a damp rag to softly "wipe and
pat" the paint off. Don't rub too hard or it will take all of the "wash" away. 

I added a protective finish of water based polyurethane to make the surface stronger
and more durable for everyday wear and tear. It's paint so it WILL SCRATCH
with heavy abuse and scuffing. The finish also cuts down the "tackiness" of the semi-
gloss acrylic paint which can be very problematic and bothersome.  

This is the finished result. Compare with the "before" photo at the top of the page.
Don't you agree that this is exactly what the room needed?
I love mixing up wood grains with painted surfaces. This is such a "happy" table now.
Think about how you can make the most frequently used rooms of your home
more personal, fun AND functional.