I have a longstanding love affair with drum tables. My Mama was a BIG antiques collector and I remember being at an auction with her as a teenager (I MUST have been being punished for something) and seeing one for the first time. Plus, it’s a cool name, Drum Table, don’t you think? I found my first one a little over a year ago at a Goodwill and I’m pretty sure I paid $15 for it.
It wasn’t in good shape but I managed to salvage it. I enjoyed it for six months or so and then I ended up repainting it olive and sending it to a friend’s lake cottage. So it was a win/win.
That brings us to the second one I bought last fall at a church rummage sale.
Now, I paid more for this one at $40, but it was larger than the first one and had a drawer with a nice pull. Drum #2 has sat in my living room for the better part of a year. And I love it but I kept meaning to refinish the top. I tried that hemp oil trick on it but that top was just too far gone.
As luck would have it, about three weeks ago I found my third drum at a yard sale. It is almost perfect: beautiful top, great drawer and pull as well as a MUCH curvier base!
And it has all of it’s toes!
The other two were missing a set each.
This little jewel was a great price at $20!
So long story short, that left me with one extra drum table. Hell of a problem to have, huh? I was in the process of picking a paint color and prowling Pinterest when I decided to do something I’d been considering for a long time.
And I am sooooo glad I did!
I was all set to use an old map that Big Daddy had of the Outer Banks of North Carolina on this project. We were both in the middle of putting each page of the map ( from a faded old atlas) together puzzle style when we realized we were short a page or two. After he talked me down out of a tree, I did a Google search (or two) and found that reproduction vintage maps are expensive.
But I was able to find a much cheaper alternative.
I purchased a roll of map gift wrap for less than $5 and I had it on my front porch in three days.
So here’s your supply list for a map table:
Table
Modpodge in flat finish
Fine sanding sponge
Map or gift wrap
Sponge brush
Old credit card
Step 1.
Using the sponge brush, apply modpodge to your table top generously but not too thick at the edges. It squishes all over.
Step 2.
Apply modpodge to the back
of your map or gift wrap. Do not bother to cut this paper to fit. Let it hang over the edge several inches.
Step 3.
Working from the middle of the table top began to smoothe the paper over the table top with your hand. Smoothe from the middle out toward the edges. Go slow and work out the bubbles with that credit card GENTLY or you will tear the paper. If it tears try to piece it back and leave it alone. As you reach the edge check for modpodge drips and wipe them up with a damp paper towel now and crease the paper downward at the table edge as you go. If you don’t fix the drips now you will be sanding them off later.
Step 3.
Let it dry for 1-2 hours.
Just walk away.
Step 4.
Apply a thin top coat of modpodge and walk away for another hour.
Step 5.
Take your sanding sponge and sand around the edge of the table. I did about a 4 to 5 inch area at the time. You will see the paper begin to pull away from the edge. Pull it gently away in that section and continue on around the edge. If you meet resistance when pulling sand a bit more then try again. If you are patient it will leave you with a nice clean edge.
Wipe off the sanding dust.
See the seperation?
Step 6.
Apply one more thin coat of modpodge on to the table top and seal the edges with your sponge brush. Again, walk away for at least I to 2 hours.
Now, I could have stopped right there and it would have been good. But while I was waiting I did an experiment.
This scrap of gift wrap is covered in the modpodge and completely dry. I wiped Annie Sloan dark wax on the right half only.
And I was sold.
It gave it more depth and toned down the pastels in the paper making it look a lot more authentic. Here’s a couple of close ups of the finish after the dark wax:
See the three really dark spots? That’s where I got a little nuts with either that credit card of my fingers.
The dark wax does what any wax does. It settles in to a space. I love the look of it. All I did then was let it cure over night and applied one thin coat of clear wax.
Love that pull!
The table itself is painted in two coats of Annie Sloan Old White and sealed with clear wax. I also ordered the missing toe cap. I was too excited to wait on it.
I’m easily excitable. 🙂
Paige
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RuthAnne@ mayfairecottage says
Your map-covered drum table turned out so well! Thanks for the step-by-step tutorial. I have a small drum table–this may be a good way to finish it off. I like your blog and just subscribed.
Pam says
Love the map drum table. I have many vintage National Geographic maps that I have had no use for. They do not sell on Amazon or eBay either. This is a great idea that I may try on one of my tables.
At Rivercrest Cottage says
Love drum tables too and the way you finished this one is fantastic! love it.
Marie Blackburn says
It's beautiful! The drum table alone but the decoupaged map takes it up a few more notches. Doesn't the ASCP dark wax over the dried mod podge work great! I've done a few map tables now and this trick gives the map so much character. Pinning your pretty table to share.
Marie, The Interior Frugalista
Debra Pashkowsky says
I love this. The maps on top make the table different, plus I love the Drum Table design. The table looks great.
Chloianna says
Gorgeous work!
Joan Floyd says
Just curious…what weight of paper did you use? I would think thin gift wrapping paper would tear easily. Your project is beautiful….I might just try it…as I love to decoupage items. Thanks for sharing.
Mary K.- The Boondocks Blog says
Absolutely gorgeous and a very original idea. I am also in the process of doing a similar table and didn't want to just paint the top. This is the perfect idea. Thanks for the inspiration. I'm hosting a new link party and would love to have you join us. It is called Sweet Inspiration and runs Friday through Tuesday.
Anonymous says
This was an exceptional post. Thanks for the detailed instructions. I'm going now to look for an appropriate paper for MY drum top table! Thanks again.
Anonymous says
can you do that with veneer? THE TOP OF TABLE IS BUBBLED UP. SHOULD i SAND FIRST?
Dee Bell says
I have a darkwood table so very similar to yours. The top is leatherette or something and badly damaged. Same decorative handle, but no drawer. It is about 30 " in diameter. I cracked off one of the toe caps moving it, but I think I can fix that. I had no idea how or what to do with it. I removed it from the back bedroom corner only last night to study it and make a decision. What a coincidence to see this beauty you created for inspiration! Thank you!
Chicago Ludwigs on Orrington says
This is one of the nicest tutorials I've ever read. I don't have a drum table, but will try this out on a night stand that I have been itching to update. Thanks for sharing so generously your experience!
Kathryn Ferguson Griffin from The Dedicated House says
It looks amazing! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the fan favorites at the Sunday Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2016/05/sunday-showcase-make-pretty-monday-6-5.html Hope to see you tomorrow night at Make it Pretty. Have a lovely week ahead. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse