Icon Trend: DIY TREASURE /// MARBLING TECHNIQUE

Icon-Baby, the interior design Blog /// DIY Treasure - Marbling

Icon-Baby /// DIY Treasure - Before

Icon-Baby /// DIY Treasure - The Idea

Faux Marbling & Faux Gemstone Painting Marble gives that look of elegance and luxury to your home. Real marble or gemstone covered items are quite an expensive purchase and difficult to find. So why not paint some faux gemstone? It still looks classy and is a fun DIY project. This technique may be one of the lengthier and difficult one …. but the results are a real 'wow.' It needs some testing to get it right and I suggest you try it out before you start on the final surfaces.

Icon-Baby, the interior design Blog /// DIY- Marbling - The Result

Insider Tip: The trick to get your faux gemstone technique to look real is to imitate the veining in your chosen gemstone. That means you'll want to study some decorative gemstone items and see how nature did it. The other aspect is getting the right color combinations. I used gold and black because I had still some left overs from a previous project and wanted to try out the technique. Make sure that you choose a light color for the base and a darker one for the marble pattern. Again, find some pictures of marble to decide which color patterns you like best.

What You'll Need
Low-tack masking tape - Paint roller - Plastic drop cloth - A smooth sponge sander - A base coat (darker) - A top coat (lighter)
A hard and compact cardboard (a lot of it…) - Gloss Clear Interior Varnish

1 /// Prep workspace and yourselves. This work can get quite messy!

2 /// Sand all surfaces with a Sanding Power tool or by hand with fine sandpaper. 3/// Fill in all damaged areas with a ‘Multi-Fill’ paste for timber and let it dry overnight. Go over these surfaces with a very smooth sponge sander. Remove all dust.

Icon-Baby, the interior design Blog /// DIY- Marbling - Preparation

4/// Tape off areas of your project in order to get smooth lines.

5/// Apply your base coat all over your project (I used Porter's Alchemy Liquid Gold) and let it dry. Go over it with a very smooth sponge sander. Remove all dust.

Icon-Baby, the interior design Blog /// DIY Treasure - Marbling - Layer one

6/// Mitering - In real life, gemstones are usually used on small items, not on large walls. Real gem stone veneer will usually be spliced together in a mitered design. To get the look of mitering, simply tape or masking off every other piece with masking tape.

Icon-Baby, the interior design Blog /// DIY- Marbling - Segments

Icon-Baby, the interior design Blog /// DIY Treasure - Marbling Technique

7/// Find cardboard that is not too soft. Tear it in small handy pieces and make sure that the torn edge is uneven.

8/// Paint the second layer for one section only in a darker color of your choice (I used Eggshell Acrylic in Black).

Icon-Baby, the interior design Blog /// DIY Treasure - Marbling - Second Layer

9/// You have to work fast. Take the cardboard piece and swipe over the still wet paint just strong enough to create uneven lines that mimic your chosen gemstone look. Use a new cardboard piece for each stroke.

Icon-Baby, the interior design Blog /// DIY Treasure - Marbling Technique

10/// Finish those sections, allowing drying overnight, and then doing the opposite pieces the next day.

11/// Go over it with a very smooth sponge sander. Remove all dust.

12/// I wanted to have a high gloss look and finished the night stands with 2 layers of Watson Gloss Clear Varnish.
13/// The black hardware was cleaned with Brasso Metal Polish rubbed on with medium strength Siva steelwool and polished with a cotton rag.

Icon-Baby, the interior design Blog /// DIY Treasure - The Hardware

Icon-Baby, the interior design Blog /// DIY Treasure - The Hardware Transformation

Voila, that's it.

Icon-Baby, the interior design Blog /// DIY Treasure - Marbling Technique