How I Mapped My Table
Hi Friends! This project is definitely one of my favorites. I need to get my booty in gear and get the second table finished.
I am adoring maps still. I used them as map memories on my master bedroom gallery wall and I wrapped a candle holder with one too.
Well… we have these side tables, that are currently in our family room, that we’ve had since right after we were married… almost 14 years. I took the overlay glass out of them last year to make my faux mirrors, but the tables were just too formal for my liking in our family room.
Here’s a looksee at what they were like before their makeover…
I started by priming the base portion and then once it was dry it got a coat of matte, white paint.
While it was all drying I took the piece of glass that was still sitting in the table. I gave it a good cleaning and then slathered it with decoupage in a matte finish.
I had picked up some maps from my local AAA (a Kauai and Maui map – that’s where we honeymooned). I trimmed the Kauai map down a bit and then placed it with the side I wanted showing face down onto the decoupage. Then I gently pressed it down and smoothed it from the center out to the edges.
You’ve got to be careful as the map can tear if you rub to hard or pull.
I think it turned our basic, formal side tables into side tables that tell a story about us and are a conversation piece.
Ok… I’m SO ready to go back to Kauai now!!!
Thanks friends for stopping by…
Sometimes I could kick myself for my own lack of imagination. When I see something like your mapped table, I always end up asking myself why I never thought of it myself. What a great way to give a coffee table some interest, so much more interesting than looking at the grain of the wood.
I understand you picking out a piece of the world relevant to your life and giving the table some personal interest and it’s a lovely little project you have shown us here.
Not too surprisingly my imagination is now working overtime and I’m thinking newspaper front page if the size is right and even a scrapbook effect. But that’s me, my mind and wants always go overboard but I do like the map idea very much indeed.
It’s much more fun having a go at things yourself and as with your mapped table, Maryanne, it often means something of yourself can be added to your home. Enjoyed it very much and will explore some of your other ideas no doubt.
So I guess I better start hunting down a suitable table for me to renovate and give a new life as something I haven’t decided on yet, but thanks Maryanne, you have got me thinking. That’s what a good blog should do.
Sometimes I could kick myself for my own lack of imagination. When I see something like your mapped table, I always end up asking myself why I never thought of it myself. What a great way to give a coffee table some interest, so much more interesting than looking at the grain of the wood.
I understand you picking out a piece of the world relevant to your life and giving the table some personal interest and it’s a lovely little project you have shown us here.
Not too surprisingly my imagination is now working overtime and I’m thinking newspaper front page if the size is right and even a scrapbook effect. But that’s me, my mind and wants always go overboard but I do like the map idea very much indeed.
It’s much more fun having a go at things yourself and as with your mapped table, Maryanne, it often means something of yourself can be added to your home. Enjoyed it very much and will explore some of your other ideas no doubt.
So I guess I better start hunting down a suitable table for me to renovate and give a new life as something I haven’t decided on yet, but thanks Maryanne, you have got me thinking. That’s what a good blog should do.
The tables look great. I love the contrast of the white legs with the dark top. The maps look wonderful. A perfect idea.
I love this! What a great idea! Keep up the amazing work!
Lovin this. I’ve always wanted to do a map on a tabletop, but just never have jumped in. Thanks for the tutorial. Im now following you. Please come over and visit me and maybe you’ll follow back??? THANKS. 😎
This looks amazing. I love the contrast of the dark wood with the map and the white base. Great job!
Very cool, especially for a newer piece like this. Gives it some character!
Liz
I am doing a post about tables today and I linked to your blog about this table! I hope you will come and check it out.
https://missdiymonster.blogspot.com/2012/05/table-pinspiration.html
Thanks for the shout-out Morgan!
Maryann this is a great idea. I hate the glass coffee and side tables where you can see everything underneath. But now I want one. Great project.
Traci
Thanks Traci
I love it, it looks great!
just love this idea.
They look fabulous. Love this idea. I took some old maps and tea stained them to give them a bit of age and make them look really old and then framed them. They look amazing. Your table are great. Hugs, Marty
Great idea Marty! LOVE an aged map!
I’ve always been fascinated by maps, I love Hawaii, and I adore your metamorphosis of your pair of tables. The white base really pops the maps, and the remaining brown creates the perfectly balanced frame. Well done! Cherry Kay
Thank you Cherry Kay! I adore Hawaii too. Hoping to get there in the next few years. 🙂
So coastal! Now I want to go to the beach. This came out great. I love the white legs.
Thanks Becca!