Painted Tree Stump

Martha recycles fallen trees to make a beautiful painted table.

Tree-Stump Table

Turn a tree stump into a shimmering and functional side table with a faux-bois surface. The simple how-to comes from TV art director Anduin Havens.

Tools and Materials

Drill
Screws
Angle brackets
MDF (medium-density fiberboard)
Stump
Level
Martha Stewart Living Precious Metals paint in Silver Leaf and Crag
Paintbrush
Jig saw
Utility knife
Birch bark
Ruler
Hammer
Small nails (or brads)
Martha Stewart Living Decorative Painting Tool Kit

Tree-Stump Table How-To
1. Using a drill, screws, and angle brackets, attach a 24-inch round of 1/2-inch MDF to top of stump, making sure it is flush against the stump and level.

2. Paint entire stump and attached round with Silver Leaf paint. Let dry.

3. For the tabletop, cut a 26-inch (or larger) round from 3/4-inch MDF with a jig saw.

4. Tear or cut (with a utility knife) birch bark into 1 1/2-inch strips and affix to edge of MDF round with small nails.

5. Paint entire tabletop, including birch edging, with Silver Leaf paint. Let dry.

6. Once tabletop is dry, paint top surface with Crag paint, and working quickly, use graining combs from Decorative Painting Tool Kit to create tree rings in desired patterns and thicknesses. (Tip: If at any point you are unhappy with the rings you are creating, simply paint over what you've done and start again.) Let dry.

7. Once tabletop is completely dry, attach to painted stump with screws by drilling up through the attached smaller round in the bottom of the faux-bois tabletop.

Resources
Martha Stewart Living Precious Metals paint andDecorative Painting Tool Kit available from The Home Depot.

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Painted Tree Stump

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