Faux Leopard Table Top

It's time for my second Themed Furniture Makeover Day and as I said before, I am so excited and honoured to be a part of this amazing group of bloggers. This months theme is "Animal". My first idea was to upholster a bench in some faux leopard fabric that I found at the thrift store. But then my animals… cats… decided to stake claim to it… and so I didn't have the heart to take it from them and put a faux fur fabric only to have our cats sleep on it… so on to plan "B"…

So as you guessed by the title, I chose to try a leopard pattern with paint as my "AMIMAL" furniture makeover. I wouldn't even have attempted this, if I hadn't finally found a faux finisher's best friend… GLAZE!

Clear glaze that will turn acrylic paint into semi-transparent water-colour like paint. I have been looking for GLAZE in the US for years and had never seen it at LOWES until about a week ago. Oh JOY! It was kind of like finding the "Holy Grail"! I heard birds chirping, and saw doves flying… okay maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration, but suffice it to say I was sooo grateful to have finally found some! ;o)

Enter this sad little side table that I had found at a garage sale. The top was really scuffed up, but that didn't bother me. It was inexpensive and I could always paint it.

I started out by sanding the top and painting it a buttery yellow. You can use an old white or a beige if that is the undertone that you want. I wanted more of a tan colour, but didn't have any and figured once I added the other colours, the base coat would look more subtle. Choose a medium brown colour for the under coat and then a dark brown, almost black for the spots. Mix the glaze and paint 1 to 1. A little goes a long way. Make sure to feather in the first 4 steps soon after applying and before the glaze dries.

I decided to paint the edges and legs with the leftover blackish brown glaze that I had mixed. You could probably get away with adding less spots. I added a lot of spots in my attempt to have both sides match one another. I wouldn't suggest doing a mirror image for your first time at attempting this look. Of course I simplified and stylized the pattern of real leopard. But there are so many versions to use for inspiration.

Hope I have inspired you to give faux leopard a try. Use your imagination and give glaze a try.
Make sure to check out all of the other "ANIMAL" themed furniture pieces that my friends linked below…

Blessings,
Lucy

Partying at these locations…

Get Your DIY On @ Confessions of a Serial DIYer
Before and After Linkup @ Thrifty Decor Chick
Swing into Spring @ DIY by Design
Talented Tuesdays @ Home Remedies
Dream Create Inspire @ Vintage Refined
From Dream to Reality @ The DIY dreamer
Swing into Spring @ DIY by Design
Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style
Vintage Inspiration Party @ My Salvaged Treasures
Creative Spark @ Weekend Craft
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life
Share Your Style @ Common Ground
Feathered Nest Fridays @ French Country Cottage
Creativity Unleashed @ Practically Functional
Fridays Unfolded @ Nancherrow
Shabbilicous Fridays @ The Shabby Art Boutique
Inspiration Friday @ The Painted Drawer
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
A morning Cup of Joe @ The Cottage Market
Simple and Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme
DIY Inspired @ The Girl Creative
Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House
Upcycled Link Party @ Funky Junk Interiors
Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes
Share it One More Time @ One More Time Events
Sundays at Home @ Thoughts From Alice
That DIY party @ diy showoff
Inspiration Monday @ Redhead Can Decorate
Something to Talk About @ Spain Hill Farm
Inspire Me Monday @ Sand  and Sisal
The Scoop @ Stone Gable
Creative Spark @ Two Purple Couches