Faux Bone Inlay Nesting Tables Makeover

Back in November, I scored big at a nearby thrift store. I blame it on the massive purge that always happens around the time people start prepping for guests during the holidays and putting up Christmas decorations. You can always bet on a good thrifting day right before or right after big holidays. (Just one friendly tip to stick in your back pocket there.)

I came home with the goods that day having no idea what they’d all become but BOY they had potential. They turned out to be my Christmas village centerpiece, our coffee table turned ottoman project, my sweet little “concrete” magnolias, and just recently these banged up but cute-as-a-button nesting tables.

Really, they were in great shape to begin with. Not even a wobbly leg. And the set was only $20! The designs on the tops just weren’t my style.

I’d recently been oogling over this bone inlay dresser from Anthropologie (with a price tag to the tune of $1,298), and I figured I could try my not-so-artistic hand at a stenciled version for this month’s Trash to Treasure Tuesday.

Seriously, I’m not an artist. I draw stick people. So if I could handle this one, it’ll be a breeze for anyone else.

Supplies Used: (Some affiliate links are provided below for convenience. See more info here.)

Stencil brush
These Indian inlay stencils
Fusion Mineral Paint in Coal Black
Fusion Mineral Paint in Raw Silk (a tester size will do the trick)
Paper towels
Natural bristle brush
Small artist brush
Painters tape
Matte polycrylic

1. I painted all of the tables with two coats of the Fusion Mineral Paint Coal Black with the natural bristle brush to make sure the old design was completely covered up.

2. Once the black was dry, I used the Raw Silk color for the stencils.

The stencil set comes with several different patterns, so however it works best for the dimensions of your piece, place your stencils as you’d like. I decided to keep the geometric patterns for the border on the outside and the floral patterns for the middle of the tables.

3. Tape down your first stencil with painters tape, dip just the tip of your stencil brush in the white paint, wipe off the excess paint on a paper towel until the brush is just barely wet, and paint on your stencil in a light dabbing motion.

4. As you continue to paint the stencils, wait a few minutes as you start overlapping patterns to prevent smudges from wet paint.

5. If you have any patterns that are too large for your piece, just put down a strip of painters tape where you want the pattern to end.

6. Once you’ve finished stenciling, just use a small artist brush to touch up any bleed through or smudges.

7. Seal the table tops with polycrylic to protect the painted finish.

That’s it! So cute!

I have to get really close to examine the paint to even tell they’re not real bone inlay.

I love how versatile these little tables are for our living room now. We have two accent chairs without end tables next to them that these come in handy for a lot now. I never knew I needed nesting tables in my life until now. They’re so perfect for small spaces.

And these babies look like they cost much more than the $84 it cost to create them.

Have you done any stencil projects before that you’re super proud of? They’re not something I attempt often, but I think this one made me catch the stenciling bug.

You can hop over and check out the rest of the Trash to Treasure Tuesday crew’s before and afters below: