In today’s tutorial, our lovely IOD Artisan Vonnie Smith is upcycling a sweet side table using scraps from the beautiful La Folie Paint Inlay, and friends…it’s a good one. Vonnie walks you through her planning, trimming, and application process, then brings the whole piece to life with a sunny yellow chalk-style paint.

Before Vonnie even cracks open a paint jar, she spreads out all the sheets to grasp what she’s working with, then sorts the elements into little piles (florals, wreaths, corners, borders, text). For this table, she even temporarily places her chosen pieces on the side table with painter's tape and snaps photos so she can remember the layout once it’s time to paint. Watch as she creates a French look with a little farmhouse charm on this petite side table flip. 

Grab your IOD goodies from your local stockist! If you’re not sure where to find one, click here to use our store locator.

• La Folie Paint Inlay

• IOD Brayer

• Yellow Chalk Type Paint*
• White Chalk Type Paint*
• Texture Powder
• Scrapper (to age the piece)
• Wet Rag
• Clear Wax Sealer
• Dark Wax

*we used a chalk-type paint in this tutorial, but there are many brands and types of paint, talk to your stockist to learn which one is right for you!

STEP ONE: PAINT YOUR TABLE 

Vonnie started with a base coat of antique white, then stippled it on to build a bit of texture—an important step for later when she brings in dark wax, since that texture gives the finish something to “catch” on. Once it was dry, she layered in a soft yellow with a flat brush.

When it was time for the Paint Inlay, Vonnie applied a generous second coat of paint as the base. She lightly misted the inlay paper to keep it from wrinkling, then pressed it firmly into the wet paint with a rubber brayer to ensure full contact. Once the paper dried and turned opaque, it was ready to peel away beautifully for the reveal. 

STEP TWO: FINAL TOUCHES 

Vonnie distresses the edges and corners with a carbide scraper, then does a little wet distressing with a damp rag. Because chalk-style paints reactivate with moisture, she can control the wear without sanding the piece.

Before she reaches for dark wax, she seals everything with a coat of clear wax. Then she works the dark wax into the corners, crevices, and carved details, letting it settle where time would naturally live. 

We’re so happy with how this little side table turned out—sassy, a little moody, and just the right amount of grungy charm. La Folie really is one of those Paint Inlays that keeps giving with so many ways to make it feel completely your own.

Thanks for creating along with us. We hope this tutorial gave you a nudge to grab a brush, try a new technique, and let fear take that smaller seat at your craft table. 

If you're just kicking off your creative journey, have no fear — our Product 101 pages are packed with straightforward techniques to set you up for success. We're thrilled to accompany you as you explore and create. For more how-tos and creative inspo, make sure to browse through the rest of our blog.

Once you've crafted your final piece, share it with our Facebook Creative Tribe! This community is not just a showcase but also a supportive hub for when you hit those creative roadblocks. And remember, your local stockist is always ready to assist with IOD supplies and expert advice. We're excited to see what you'll bring to life!