DIY Grasscloth Designer Morgan Inspired Console Table
DIY Grasscloth Designer Morgan Inspired Console Table
I bought this console table for my entry way over ten years ago. I was initially drawn to it because it reminded me of a Morgan console table. The streamlined silhouette gives a sense of lightness and is an ideal finishing touch in a small space. But I never really loved it. At first it was a dark, brown wood and then I painted it royal blue to add a bold impression fit. I still didn’t love it. The truth is, I really don’t need a pop of color because there’s color everywhere in my house! Nevertheless, I knew I wouldn’t find another table without breaking the bank and this versatile piece fit my space perfectly.
I started seeing grasscloth console tables all over the web. Especially at high end luxury furniture stores like Scout Design studio, Crate and Barrel, Serena and Lily and more. Each of these white glove delivery stores were offering their made-to-order item for over $1000. Even with free shipping and free delivery, I didn’t think it was worth it. Also, ground shipping wasn’t going to be fast and I was hosting a party – I wanted my table yesterday! And if I didn’t end up liking what I purchased, I would probably have to pay a hefty restocking fee and we all know that custom options do not have fast order processing and can take up to 3-5 weeks for delivery time.
I tend to lean towards modernist tastes, but I also love natural material in my home. Grasscloth furniture was popular in the 20th century and I love that it uses unique materials. – very much in the manner of Karl Springer – the late furniture designer from the 1970’s! Check out some of his natural and lacquered grasscloth pieces- they are so cool! Karl designed a vintage grasscloth console table and I decided to model my table after the one that he designed almost 50 years ago.
My console table is a very basic piece of furniture. There are no stout proportions, the table is relatively small and it doesn’t have an inset drawer (that would complicate things) or soft- closing glides. My table is basically like a low bench, but counter height. While I knew I wouldn’t get the exact look, I could certainly use my DIY knowledge and create something beautiful.
I got to work. First, I started doing research on wallpaper and watched a ton of DIY tutorials online. With each new tutorial, I started to feel less confident about using wallpaper paste. I knew that if I decided to wallpaper this table, I would first need to strip the paint and sand the stain. I really didn’t want to deal with that.
So I decided to use peel and stick wallpaper instead. The best part? The have it on Amazon. After reading dozens of reviews, I bit the bullet and purchased one roll of whitish/grey colored grasscloth. I wanted my decor scheme to be chic furnishing with a classic, vintage inspired look. I was dubious. Very dubious about using peel and stick. But I watched a full tutorial on University of Youtube and I knew I could rival the designer brands with confidence.
Here are the reasons I decided to use grasscloth peel and stick rather than actual wallpaper:
It seemed low risk – I could take it right off if I didn’t like it
It was inexpensive but looks expensive
It was low mess which was definitely a plus!
What you will need to make a grasscloth table
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grasscloth peel and stick wallpaper
paper weight
ruler or t-square
a lot of patience
How do you prepare a surface for peel and stick wallpaper?
Clean the surface with dishsoap and a lint free cloth. Let it dry completely.
How do you cover old furniture with grasscloth wallpaper?
1. First I drew a picture of my table. I measured each section and added it to my diagram.
2. I didn’t cut the pieces in advance just in case there were inconsistencies and natural variations in the wood. I lay out the roll of wallpaper onto the top of the table and let it hang over on the side.
I lined the straight edge of the wallpaper with the edge of the table. Since the table would be against a wall, I wasn’t terribly worried about what the back looked like.
3. Cut the wallpaper with an inch of extra material.
4. Use painter’s tape to hold down the wallpaper.
5. Fold down about 3-4″ of the backing paper and stick the 3″ to the table. Once I saw that it was laying flat, I removed more backing and pulled the wallpaper taught.
This step would have been easier with an extra hand but since I don’t have a professional design team, I had to figure it out on my own. There were definitely a few times where I had to start again and I was grateful that it was peel and stick!
6. Once the top was done, I moved onto the front edge and then the legs. Some of the seams are not completely perfect, but you cannot see it at all
7. I worked on the front legs and the sides. On the very last side, I ran out of wallpaper. Worst. Feeling. Ever. I ordered another roll and finished a few days later, but you are better off over ordering and then returning rather than doing it the way I did.
In my experience, having more than you need is always better. Sorry Marie Kondo!
8. The corners looked like they might come up so I used a dab of matte finish mod podge under the grasscloth just to hold it down and that did the trick!
Once I finished, I got to work on styling my “new” table! First I added a pair of lamps, but they were too symmetrical. I grabbed one lamp, a sculpture that my dad made and my favorite decorative accents like my famous framed bedazzled candy art.
I think I might be ready to be one of Villa & House’s designers! What do you think?
So…what should I make next? I have a matching petite bench, but I am not sure the grasscloth would hold up to people sitting on it. Perhaps this could work in a sitting room or a space that no one ever uses.
We use every room in our house almost every day! I will have to scour my living room and find something else to work on.
What else can you make with this beautiful grasscloth?
In my experience, when you find something you love working with, find other projects that you can make. Here are some things that I think would look fantastic with grasscloth:
Bookshelves
Picture Frames
Ikea Lack Tables
Side Tables
Decorative Boxes
How can you make peel and stick more permanent?
You can add some matte finish mod podge or Aileen’s craft glue in thin layers. You might want to water it down a bit. This will make it less likely to peel.
What are the negatives of peel and stick wallpaper?
One negative would be that people could simply pick at it and peel it off. Other than that, there aren’t many negatives in using peel and stick. These days, the technology is so much better and the vinyl adheres and stays in place.
However, unless you are making this for a public space, people do not tend to do these things. Also, I have seen regular wallpaper peel away so what’s the difference anyway?!
While I do not have expansive brand knowledge, I do know that quality is important. Purchase your grasscloth only after you’ve read the reviews. Some companies make a better product than others.
Want to DIY more home decor? Check out this DIY Clay Flower Mirror!
