Leather-look Table Top

Not a fan of painted dining room tabletops I researched options for the top that wouldn't require paint. I thought Initially about a copper-sheeting table top, but the cost of one sheet of copper was prohibitive and I wanted a seamless top.

It was on a trip to Hobby Lobby that I came across this Western-embossed leather-looking vinyl fabric. Sold in large bolts in the home decor section I was shocked at the price (I think it was on sale for $5/yd?!). They had two color options in the Western-embossed pattern, chocolate brown or cherry red.

Not being a fan of the red I chose the brown but when I brought it home I was discouraged with how plasticky and vinyl it looked (more on that later).

Having measured my table top I bought enough yardage to cover it, but bought more than I needed. (The extra yardage has turned into cute bracelets for the girls).

I'm not much of a measuring gal,so everything else was done by sight. I rolled out the vinyl on the table and trimmed it down the length and width of the top, giving myself about 1/4" on each side to assure there would be enough gap.

Then the fun part. Getting hammered.

While at Hobby Lobby I bought 4 boxes of furniture nails (sometimes called hobnails). Starting at the long end of the table I hammered in one nail on the length-corner and then another nail at the width-corner. (I should preface by saying the table edges were fairly flat, and I think if you had bullnose or rounded edges it might take more care in making sure the nails didn't break through on the bottom).

By eye I hammered each one in, making not to crowd the spacing between nails.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Check your work as you go! While the nails are short then can still break through the wood and end up appearing at the underside of the table. Trying to avoid exposed nail ends underneath is the goal at all cost. If it breaks through, the nails are easily pulled out and can be nailed in again.

After all of the hammering was done, I went around the entire circumference of the table with scissors and trimmed off the excess material so it would drag. Seeing as I used flannel-backed vinyl sheeting, I didn't have to worry about rough edges or fraying.

After the edges were trimmed and the nails were all checked to make sure they weren't going to snag anyone's stockings, out came the paint. I used plain old acrylic craft paint (available in any color at any craft store).

I lightly sanded the surface of the vinyl first of (very very light pressure needed) and then with an old towel rag I applied a variety of different colors. I'd brush over the surface of the heaviest-patterned areas with a bold orange color (to match our floor color) and then mute it out with some brown or even black. I'd 'age' the corners by applying lighter shades to make them appear worn.

When I was done I just let it dry completely and we ate dinner on it that day.

Please Note: I have older children and we frequently use tablecloths. The messes we make now are minimal during mealtimes. I'm not sure how sturdy this surface would be with being wiped down with a bleach agent. I'm sure it would begin to crack fairly swiftly.

But it cleans nice with a good soapy dish towel and rinsed with water. Roughing up the texture has helped maintain the durability of the paint.

It has been a welcome addition to our dining room and I love serving meals on it.