Looking to create a paint stick table top? This amazing herringbone design is easy to recreate and adds a fantastic change to old furniture.
I totally meant to show you a much better picture of this table before.
It would have made the after so much more rewarding.
*sigh*
But I got busy cutting paint stir sticks and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was about to be on and I forgot to take a really good before picture.
It was pitiful though.
You have to take my word for it.
It was covered with splattered paint and rings of where the spray paint can used to be and scratches and big chips in the veneer.
Wobbly and woebegone and just waiting for a make-over.
(here’s an attempt at a before picture….it could have been so much better)
Herringbone Paint Stick Table
Supplies:
table
paint sticks
wood glue
wood filler
sandpaper and sander
saw
miter box
Step 1: Cut paint strips into five-inch sticks
This is what you use to create a paint stick table.
Paint sticks. I used about 25 paint sticks for this project.
We cut each paint strip individually with a saw in a miter box.
I used 34 five inch sticks to start the base of the pattern for the table and then
filled in around the edges with other smaller pieces.
Step 2: Paint base of table
I used SW Mindful Gray for this table base.
Step 3: Measure 2 1/2 inches from the edge of the table and place a strip of blue painter’s tape
The blue painter’s tape is your guide for the edge of the first row.
It is very important that you line up the first row properly so the rest of the herringbone pieces are straight.
Line up the first two pieces with tape and a square ruler.
Apply wood glue and let dry.
Step 4: Using blue tape as your guide continue laying pieces of paint stick
Line up the edge of pieces on tape to keep the pattern straight.
Glue each piece in place with wood glue.
Follow the herringbone pattern as shown.
Step 5: Repeat step 4 until the basic pattern is laid
Once pattern is laid and glued in place, measure side spaces and cut side pieces to fit.
Don’t worry if the sides don’t line up perfectly, the sides will be sanded to match later.
Step 6: Fill gaps in the paint stick tabletop with wood putty
After your paint strips are all laid in a herringbone pattern, there will be some that don’t match up perfectly.
Use stainable wood putty to fill in gaps.
Follow directions on the package.
Let dry.
Step 7: Sand entire tabletop
The strips are made of pine which is extremely soft and sands easily.
Round the edges of the table top until the sides are uniform and lined up.
Sand where putty has dried and sand any uneven pieces of paint stick.
Step 8: Stain table top
Follow directions on the stain for application.
I used Minwax Provincial.
Apply two coats and follow up with a water-based polyurethane to seal the wood.
This project is relatively simple and so inexpensive to make.
It looks like a high-end piece from an expensive retail store.
Here’s the after in all her paint stick tabletop glory.
From ugly duckling to the belle of the ball.
I am totally calling the Hallmark Channel. 🙂
For more furniture projects….click here to check out out my furniture projects page.
The table look beautiful, you've done a lovely job and you would have never known you made that from paint sticks!!
Excellent project Karianne!! Great tutorial too! Good solution for bad veneer!
Such a nice project, you clever girl. Marian
Your table turned out beautiful!! I am putting this on my to-do list!! Thanks for sharing.
I LOVE this project, Kari! Think I will try this out on a little beat-up piece myself! Have a blessed day, friend! xo Heidi
This is so pretty! I am going to start collecting paint sticks! Have a great day, Karianne!
Very cute!! (Just like the lab assistant who is hiding her 34Ds under that coat and she has the Rick Moranis glasses and her long blonde hair in a bun. And in one smooth movement, the coat is off, the hair is down, and the glasses are whisked off. And the handsome scientist falls in love with her and they save the world from total destruction.)
I love this table, Karianne! It's beautiful.
Stop it!! You made that tabletop??? From paint sticks??? You are my idol. You and Molly Ringwald and Andrew what's-his-name in Pretty In Pink! I love how you speak my movie language!!! Your table is truly beautiful and I am wildly looking around my house right now for a piece of furniture to herringbone. Thanks for sharing your creativity!
It looks beautimus and you did a fantastic job of explaining the steps!
Recycling in a beautiful - totally sticks in my mind as an amazing project - have a great day.
Alrigh you are amazing! Really now. And the recipe on the wall behind it? Just as amazing.
I love how you can take something so unassuming, such as a paint stick, and elevate it to a thing of beauty! ;)
Beautiful, Karianne..nice look..Where do you get all these great ideas??
She's ready to whip off those glasses, undo that bun and go wild! Kelly
I LOVE this Karianne!! It's so so so pretty!! And totally chic and upscale. :)
Thanks for the tutorial - I have an old table just dreaming of getting this makeover! I was a little worried about you - glad to see you are back today!
It looks difficult to do with all the cuts; but you did a FABULOUS job!!!!!
OH that is the best! I love how you used paint sticks....clever girl!! It looks so amazing!! The 'afters' are so much better with a 'before'...yours is fabulous! Pinned!
Wow—this is so fabulous! Thank you for sharing your wonderful creativity and amazing writing.
WELL done, KA!! Looks great -and you make it look so easy to do.
Love the rustic farmhouse look to this table, Karianne!
How cute is this! I love a herringbone pattern, and I love taking "found" tables! Many years ago I was looking for a table to put our c. 1989 microwave on. (the c. was to indicate just how HEAVY it was!). I went to a thrift store looking, and on the way out found the perfect thing. It was actually a little vanity table that had been neglected and painted a sorry color. I knew I could paint it, but was it sturdy enough? When I asked the old man running the store, he said, "Well, it has an air conditioner sitting on it now. I think it will hold your microwave . . . " :) Have a wonderfully crafty, creative day! The SUN is shining!
Love it! Did you just collect paint stick over time, or casually walk around the paint department 25 times grabbing sticks each time around, or did you just ask and they gave you all those? I kinda like the idea of secret agent Kari nabbing paint sticks in a covert operation.
I was wondering the same thing:):)
Such a pretty table. You are so inventive :-) (May want to add one step though? Wouldn't you have to vacuum the heck out of that top to get all the dust out before you stained it? How did you clean it?).
This came out fantastic. I love this project, it looks like boards. Great job! Cynthia
How in the world do you THINK of these prijects???? You are one amazing girl. I love this, it looks great!!! XO, Pinky
whoops, PROJECTS....
I love it. I can't wait to find a little fixer upper that I can try this on.
Very cute Kari! As always!
You clever, clever girl. I never would have thought of paint sticks for a gorgeous, herringbone top. Hmmm...would homedepot be upset if I got enough to do my laundry room floor?
Are you kidding me with this?? Amazing! Pinning and will be searching for something I can do this treatment to. How am I just finding you? Psyched to follow along with you now :)
Okay, if I start taking paint stirrers on top of all the paint chips that I already help myself to, they are no longer going to let me into the Home Depot! Beautiful job, though!! :) Elena
Beautiful table! I love before and afters.
Karianne, I love your paint stick table! This is such a cute table! I love the before and after picture!
KariAnne not only is the top beautiful but i love the color of the table also... would you be so kind and share the name of the base paint?
HA! I'm watching Real Housewives of Beverly Hills as I'm reading this ;) Caught me!! And love this table girl. Seriously... LOVE.
I love this! What a beautiful upcycled table :) Just pinned!
Genius:) What a great way to give new life to a table or stand!
I will give you 2 thumbs up for this project of yours! You really turn your ideas into a reality....
From ugly duckling to prom queen... she's a doll! Hugs, Pendra
Now that is seriously cool. I love it.
Love love love this!!! I want to do it to my kitchen table!!! :)
It's a great table - now! Love the Hallmark story - always enjoy your writing style! Linda
Very cool!
Love it, Kari! Just love it. Brenda
Wow, this table looks amazing. Plus isn't a bad "before" picture better? It makes the after seem even that much better:) Jessica
Karianne, How in the world di you come up with covering a table with paint sticks? What a creative and wonderful project...love the table! xx, Sherry
Beautiful and hard to believe it was done with paint sticks!
Great project! Love the end result, nice job Karianne!
It turned out so pretty. Love your vision in what the table "Could" be :) Hugs
I don't have a miter saw. Maybe I could cut all those stir sticks with a steak knife? : ) This is SO cool and SO pretty, Karianne! I feel like I should put down my chocolate hearts and go make something now! Thanks for sharing it. Jeanette
THIS TABLE TURNED OUT GORGEOUS, WAY TO THINK OUT OF THE BOX! i would love to feature it, if that would be ok please let me know lauren
So creative, love it, I'm pinning. Little Bit from www.DecorateWithaLittleBit.com
Love it..What a fantastic addition..Great job as always...
Pinned it! What a great way to make a boring table interesting.
Very fun! I am looking at your PLATE RACK behind the project. Do you have this as one of your projects on YOUR website? Thanks.
GENIUS! love it and would love to feature it, if that would be ok please let me know, lauren
So clever girlie! Great idea - love it! Great choice in stain colors too - it's stunning! Pinning too :D
LOVE THIS TABLE , SO CUTE HOW YOU USED PAINT STICKS, I WOULD LOVE TO FEATURE IT, IF THAT WOULD BE OK PLEASE LET ME KNOW., LAUREN
Karianne, Great idea, I love the look, always think of using the sticks for something. Really enjoyed the story as well, and the way it's written. Jeannie
What a stroke of genius!
You are one clever girl! This is a great look!!
This table is pretty fantastic! I've become obsessed with the herringbone floors on international house hunters. I never thought of putting them on a table! Pinning this lovely piece!
thank you for sharing.........
Nice to see your blog........really awesome. Thank you for sharing these information...... its very useful.
My paint sticks are slightly warping...they were perfectly straight when i picked them out! Will the wood filler help? Eeek I don't know what to do!
This is just awesome, Karianne! I pinned it awhile ago, and guess what? My Dad is on his way over tomorrow so we can size up a little project I have on the go with this as the DIY restoration idea in mind! Thanks so much for the tutorial, and even better, thanks for sharing!!!