You Will Need

• metal bistro table
• metal primer
• matt blue enamel paint (we used Plascon Saphire (B7-A1-1))
• paintbrush
• sponge roller
• thick plastic to fit the table top
• template of your choice
• marker
• scissors
• masking tape
• craft knife
• cutting mat
• stencil glue
• rust primer, rust paint and rusting agent
• matt dark brown enamel paint (we used Plascon AfricanMud (O2-E1-1))
• kitchen sponge

To Make
1 Wash the entire table and leave to dry.
2 Paint with a coat of metal primer, followed by two or three coats of matt blue enamel paint. Use a sponge roller for the table top and a paintbrush for the legs and corners. Leave each coat to dry before applying the next.
3 Turn the table upside down onto a sheet of thick plastic. Trace the circumference of the table top using a marker, then cut out the plastic.
4 Enlarge your template to the preferred size, then photocopy until you have enough to cover the table. Roughly cut out the motifs and position them on the plastic until you are satisfied with the composition.
5 Attach the motifs to the plastic using masking tape, then use a craft knife to cut out the pattern, cutting through both the paper and the plastic. Remove the masking tape and paper from the plastic and use the plastic circle as a stencil.
6 Apply stencil glue to the back of the stencil, leave to dry slightly until tacky, then stick the stencil to the table top.
7 Paint a coat of rust primer over the stencil, leave to dry, then cover with a thick coat of rust paint. While the paint is still slightly wet and tacky, apply a layer of rusting agent, carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions.
8 Leave to dry for a few hours to enable the rust effect to develop, then peel off the plastic stencil.
9 Complete the makeover by dabbing dark brown enamel paint over the blue areas using a kitchen sponge. Blot the sponge on newspaper first before lightly dabbing it onto the table.

Text and image: Ideas