If you’re looking for a unique conversation starter, this DIY Marble Coffee Table is definitely for you!
When we moved to our new home, I knew I needed a conversation piece in the living room. However, most of the home decor we have are hand-me-downs. Let me just say, these hand-me-downs are gems in the making!
Enter hand-me-down exhibit A. This sun-bleached table that burned my eyes (it was that ugly) for about three months before I figured out what to do with it. And when I saw Kelly Wearstler’s Lineage Stool collection, I just knew this was the DIY project I’ve been looking for.
I actually considered whether it would be worth using my entire year’s decorating budget on the real deal and authentic marble, but I really wanted to make it. After all, when you have a slightly challenging art project, you want to do it on a piece of furniture you don’t really care about. That way, if it doesn’t work out, you gain experience and your loss is really your time more than money.
I looked at a lot of ways to achieve this project. A lot of people use spray paint or marble contact paper. I considered both of these options, but with the stripes, corners, etc., I thought it didn’t look quite as expensive as paint with an epoxy coating. Most people look at my table and don’t believe me when I say the table was painted because it really does look like a marble slab.
Before you look at me and say a DIY Marble coffee table sounds really difficult, let me tell you, it does take patience, but it’s not hard. And, I love marble, so it was worth it! Just make sure you have someone to do this project with you, because it is a two-person job, mostly because you will be using epoxy. This project would make a great coffee table, side table, marble topped dining table, etc. It also would look great with hairpin legs if you want to change out the original table base.
Materials needed:
- 2 people
- >A table
- Sander
- White and Black Paint (this is what I used. I used a matte paint to compensate for the epoxy gloss finish. I couldn’t find an inexpensive matte epoxy or I probably would’ve used it
- Paint Thinner
- Paint Primer
- Sea Sponge
- Feather or very thin paint brush
- Heavy Duty Painting Tape (I used the widest frogtape I could find. Frogtape work very well)
- Epoxy or clear countertop protector and someone to help you with it
- Drop Cloth
- Paint Roller
- Flat angled paint scrapers
Step 1
Find a scrapped table and sand that table down! If it has a coating, it may look like it’s peeling. That’s OK. Keep sanding till it’s all off.
Step 2
Take the table apart and secure any little pieces in one place.
Step 3
Paint Primer all the surfaces
Step 4
Paint the white marble layer. Don’t worry about making it perfect since we will be doing stripes next! I watched a LOT of DIY videos and tried about three methods. This was the method I followed most closely after trying a couple and not liking the look. Once the paint is completely dry (overnight or over 2 days depending how thick the paint is), sand until smooth and level.
HOW TO CREATE THE WHITE MARBLE LAYER:
1. Paint the entire table white. I did 2 coats and started the next step while the second coat was drying.
2. While the second coat is still wet, mix your marbling grey colors. I put this on cardboard to act as a painter’s palette.
3. Mix white and black paint together to create a couple different tones of grey (1-3 color variations).
4. With your darkest grey color, take the pointy tip of the feather and create “veins,” or lines, of dark grey throughout the table. As you glide the point across, change your angle so you are dragging the feather, flipping the feather, and creating texture (not an exact science!).
5. Dip your sea sponge in the lighter grey paint, and sponge over the darker grey veins to create color and texture variations. The goal is to have so much variation that it appears to be stone.
6. Repeat until you’re happy with the colors, texture, and depth.
Step 5
Once the white marble layer is complete, measure your table and divide your stripes with painter’s tape. I got the widest tape I could find and measured from the center outward. Once your measuring is complete, use your roller to paint the entire table in black paint.
Step 6
Once dry, splatter white paint in a Jackson Pollack style with your paint brush. I saturated my brush and flicked it all over the table until I was satisfied.
Step 7
Wait for the table to dry, then peel the tape up, checking that it’s dry as you go. Lift slowly to prevent peeling.
Step 8
Coat the table with epoxy. DO NOT TRY THIS ALONE. This is the very messy, time sensitive part. You have to spread very quickly. I set a timer according to the instructions and watched a couple tutorials on best practices.
Some tips: If you have air bubbles, your warm breath on it will help get them out very easily. Move quickly and do this with a partner. Divide and conquer!
Step 9
Admire your work on this DIY marble table. I sure did.
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