Today I am sharing a tutorial on how to paint a harlequin pattern in under an hour!
From mapping your pattern out.
To painting it in.
I wanted to call this
“Harlequin for Dummies”
But I’m always afraid I might offend someone.
Even though, I’m referring to myself!
This has got to be my favorite painted makeover to date.
Mostly, because I surprised the Hell-o
out of myself that I could do it!
(on a side note, I find it difficult not to end every sentence with “!”)
Okay, back to the tutorial.
I got this table, and because I don’t rush anything, and had no idea how I wanted to paint it.. I gave it a quick one-two with some sandpaper.
(It was in rough shape! See?)
Slapped on a light coat of primer.
(Purchased pre-La Craie and still did all that! Ugh.)
And placed it in my living room so I could look at it daily and let it tell me what it wanted.
It was not very vocal.
It sat there a few months.
I’m so glad it did.
Because one day, it sat up and said;
“SHANNON! I want to be Harlequin baby!!”
And I said, well alright.
By that time, I was a retailer
with the Maison Blanche Paint Company for
with the Maison Blanche Paint Company for
I decided to use;
Magnolia and
Miel
I went about mapping the harlequin pattern…
I got my center point, then I tried tape and a few other methods, like cutting a template.
With no luck.
I am NOT “mathy”.
The only math I can rock is figuring out a discount when I’m shopping. I can do that in a snap.
I figured, I can draw a straight line.
I must be over thinking it!
After all my failed attempts, I ended up doing the whole grid, with a pencil and a yardstick in 15 minutes.
First you need to find your center.
(no this isn’t yoga! wrong blog)
How to get your center point;
I highly suggest the ease of a yardstick
but you can use a tape measure.
1. Measure the length of the table and divided by two.
Mark the center point lightly in pencil.
Mark the center point lightly in pencil.
2. Using the first pencil mark as an indicator for where to lay your tape measure or yard stick down, measure the width of the table, divide by two, and adjust your first mark to the true center you get with this measurement.
Next, I used my yard stick and working from
the center,
I drew first my diamond.
the center,
I drew first my diamond.
Your measurements will depend
on the size of the diamond you want.
on the size of the diamond you want.
-I wanted my diamond 18 high X 9 wide-
So from the center I went 4.5″ to the left and 4.5″ to the right and marked those off.
For the vertical marks, I went 9″ up from the center and 9″ down from the center.
Once I had my first diamond done, I worked off that, spreading out. Using the fixed side as a guide, I lined my yardstick up to it and penciled in another line.
Working off the four sides of your original center diamond as a guide, pencil in lines and extend to those off the table.
Keeping in mind, you still have your two original lines that you used to find your center, measure over 9″
and make a dot.
and make a dot.
Then measure out the length of one section (mine were 9.5″) till you hit the pencil line and you’ll meet at the correct point to make your next mark.
See the perfect new line in red?
Just Keep Repeating that formula.
And you’ll have a perfect grid!
This one took 15 minutes to pencil out.
And I had never done it before.
I penciled all my lines onto the base coat of Miel, then cut in and hand painted my white Magnolia in,
following my pencil marks.
You can use tape if you want crisp lines.
I didn’t use tape because I wanted
a more casual, imperfect line
and a hand painted look.
I don’t have a picture of this stage,
because I got so excited it was working, I didn’t take any. As a matter of fact,
I was talking to my mom on the phone
while I was doing it, that is how easy it was!
Then “poof” I was done.
Oops.
I went over each color again.
For a total of two coats each.
After doing that.. I knew I wanted a
stronger line of delineation between
the Magnolia and Miel.
I went ahead and did my distressing. Then
I used my paint can opener with it’s perfectly curled end, the yardstick as a guide, and lightly “scored” along the line, with just enough pressure to remove the paint.
And this is my beauty now…
The table top in Miel & Magnolia
is finished with
Cire d’ Antiques wax in Amber.
Table base and legs in Magnolia,
were completed with
Cire d’ Antiques finishing wax in Dark Brown.
Cire d’ Antiques finishing wax in Dark Brown.
Just a reminder…
Before
After
I hope if you love the harlequin pattern as much as I do, you’ll give this a try! It’s so rewarding.
If you simply must have your very own
La Craie paint
I would be pleased to have you
If you simply must have your very own
La Craie paint
I would be pleased to have you
with me.
I never thought I would be showing
a before & after painted makeover
in a Harlequin pattern.
That is for sure!!
in a Harlequin pattern.
That is for sure!!
PS- You can click here to read all about La Craie Paint.
Linking Up & Sharing At:
Redoux Between Naps On The Porch, primitive and proper
miss mustard seed, Under The Table And Dreaming
funky junk interiors, Cherished Bliss, Southern Revivals
This content is original to Fox Hollow Cottage and belongs to Shannon Fox.
Appearance in full on any site other then Fox Hollow Cottage is theft!
Appearance in full on any site other then Fox Hollow Cottage is theft!
Shannon–You did a great job! This is lovely. You did a great job with the pattern and I am really loving the dark wax on the details. What a pretty table this is. Amazing makeover. Pinning this one!
Your table is gorgeous!
What a beautiful table! And it matches your decor perfectly! It’s amazing how you can continue to look at something until it “speaks” to you. You heard it loud and clear. Well done!
Totally pinned it! This is probably my most favorite thing you’ve ever done! It is beautiful! (And you know I have a hard time not using exclamation points either. LOL!) You knocked it out of the park, girl!
Great job, Shannon! I’m the “dummy”, too. : ) I love a harlequin pattern and it looks great on your tabletop. I have a large harlequin stencil that I use. Love how the base turned out, too. The detailing really stands out.
Pinned it girl. This turned out fabulous. LOVE LOVE LOVE!
It’s a masterpiece Shannon.
I love what you did with the coffee table. Just beautiful.
Shannon, I love it. Glad that piece finally spoke up.
Looks perfect! Especially with the rest of the decor. Reminds me of my floor…great idea for a table and easier on the back too! I just may try this on a table…now to figure out which table?
I’m glad you shared a tutorial on your table. This is probably one of my most favorite projects you’ve done! Your harlequin pattern was genius.
Oh, Shan…she is so beautiful. I am breaking open my dark wax tomorrow for a table makeover. You did such a fabulous job with all the measuring and scoring. I’m so not mathy either, not even with discounts. Just gorgeous!
I don’t know which is my favorite…the table or the tutorial. LOVE BOTH! Love, Me
Find my center?
I’m breathing. In tree pose. while looking at that lovely table. It is a stunner! And your tutorial means everyone can do it too…love that!
Shannon, that is SO good, it hurts! I have a console table for the landing of my stairs just waiting to be painted. I’m seriously thinking of doing this!
LOVE!
XO
Love your table & the tutorial!!
Non-”Mathy” girls unite! This is seriously awesome Shannon and the table looks amazing! It definitely wanted to have a harlequin pattern painted on and you did such a fantastic job.
Vanessa
What a fantastic job,and great post Shannon. I love your work and the table is beautiful. Thanks for sharing the tutorial … I’ll try to muster the nerve to try it once my paint arrives. Blessings from Australia! Shirley x
Love your table…it turned out fantastic! I did a harlequin pattern to a living room wall and an entry wall {Same colors} in our old house…loved it. Wish now I would’ve taken more pictures of all of the transformations we did in that old house. We gutted & completely renovated it. Turned it into a 4 bedroom 2.5 bath from a 3/1.5!
Girl I LOVE LOVE LOVE this table and I featured you and your shop over at my blog today!:)
This a A-Maze-ing! My armoire just spoke up and said “Me Next”! I love the harlequin pattern but it just seem so Major League. Your tutorial makes it all seem possible. Oh, ya I will be doing a copycat. I absolutely love this table!!!
I am loving this! Thanks so much for sharing and providing the great tutorial! I’d love for you to share it at my party, Twirl & Take a Bow at http://www.houseontheway.com tomorrow.
Leslie
you did such a beautiful job and i love the soft colors! i have done harlequin before, but i feel like i cheated- i used a stencil…. ssshhhh
This table is beautiful and really stands out in the room. Quite a transformation and a lovely one for sure.
If you have a minute come check out my before and after Kitchen makeover post. Have a great day!
x
http://www.homeswetabode.blogspot.com
I am looking at a table in need of paint. As a very, very non-mathy woman, I love your directions. Thanks! Oh, and your table looks great!!!
Shannon! My head is going to explode with how amazing this looks – you are incredibly talented…everything all lines up so neatly and the distressing is over the top
Why am I just seeing this NOW? was I living under a rock for the last couple of days? I must have been. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE it..I love the colors the creaminess ..its all so classy and warm….
So glad you figured out the line method…I am not mathy and I couldn’t even handle that…LOL! I had to just find my center and use a template…
I soooo love this table.
Hugs,
Karin
artisbeauty1@gmail.com
This is beyond FAB, Shannon!! I just scored a similar style rectangular coffee table that would be perfect for this treatment! Pinning.
xo Heidi
Shannon you are such a whiz! I adore this and think the colors are perfect. I’m not much of a painter but your paint sounds interesting. I’m definitely checking it out. Thanks for hosting the POP party…it’s a blast.
)
Absolutely gorgeous, Shannon! Thanks for sharing a fantastic tutorial. Megan
Thanks for sharing. Every time I Design A Room, the first thing I do is browse the web for ideas. The one site that is a “go to” for me is Simply Decorate. Even though I work for Simply Decorate, I can honestly say they have a wonderful interior design blog that always makes my redecorating lots of fun. It’s definitely worth taking a look at.
What a beautiful job you did transforming this table-Wanted you to know I featured this on my Saturday favorites-stop on by to check it out-have a great weekend-Claire
Shannon, WOW! It is so very beautiful. I just saw it on Roadkill Rescue and then saw it was yours! Nice transformation. Harlequin!!! Yay for you.
Good work! The choice of colors combines very well with the style of the furniture, elegant and impressive result!
Looks great! Love those colors together!
Stacey of Embracing Change
Gorgeous! I love the colors you chose the pattern is the perfect touch to the table.
So glad you shared this with the party Shannon. It really is a great tutorial and an even better turn out.
Love that you used your paint can opener….genius haha it looks fab
Oh Shannon…you’re such a clever gal! It turned out beautifully and the way you made the line did it for me…it finished it off perfectly! I LOVE IT!!!
Shannon, I love your table but I have to say, because I am in the process of redecorating my bedroom in green and turquoise, I love your pillows more. Where did you get them?
Those are from ROSS! But, I have had them, gosh, at least 2 years? They are down filled and the covers are removable. I have seen them again, with Spring coming, give ROSS a shot. They were under $20 each too.
The table is fabulous Shannon! I love, love, love harlequins!! (note the exclamation points
Thanks for the great tutorial.
Hugs,
Deborah