There are many types of natural stone used in interior design today, including Travertine. Because it is a natural stone, each piece has its own unique features. There are many colors and degrees of intensity within the label of Travertine stone.
Even though most types of Travertine appear to have a free-flowingand relatively complicated design, they are quite easy to simulate with paint. A great project is to create a design for an end table or dining table that matches or complements your existing Travertine.
Materials You Will Need to Complete This Project
- Latex glaze (Purchase at a home improvement store)
- Acrylic paint colors: Raw umber, Burnt Umber, Black or colors of your choice (Purchase 2oz bottles at a craft store)
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Blue paper towels or soft rags
- Press n Seal plastic wrap
- Pencil
- Paint pen: color of your choice. Metallics are good: silver, bronze
- Clear acrylic spray or brush on finish
- Sponge brush
Start With the Right Surface
To make this stone look realistic, you will have to start with a completely flat surface. Sand it until it is smooth. If the tabletop is damaged, bumpy, chipped, etc., it is possible to use a piece of hardboard and secure it to the tabletop with glue. Prime it with a good, water based primer and then give it a coat or two of a white or off white, satin sheen, water base paint.
A small side table could be done as one piece of stone but a larger table should be done in sections. When using glazes, you need to work with relatively small sections because you only have a limited time to manipulate the glaze before it dries. Since Travertine usually comes in tile form, you may want to make a design that simulates tile by taping off separate tile shapes. They don’t need a grout line in between them. You can divide the surface into any design you like by using a ruler and a pencil to make your design. In the pictures below, I have suggested one design.
Watch the Magic Happen
Once you have decided what colors you will be using in your stone, make a glaze by mixing approximately 1 part of acrylic, craft paint with 4 parts clear glaze. Cover the whole surface with this glaze with a sponge brush to eliminate brush marks. Using several, damp, blue paper towels, dab the entire surface to create a slight texture and eliminate any brush strokes. Quickly, sprinkle alcohol randomly over the surface. Wait about 20 seconds and then, using the same rag, dab carefully over the surface again. This time, the glaze will gather where the alcohol is and will create interesting spots and blotches that look like stone. Dry thoroughly. You can do this several times to create more texture. Let dry.
A New Use for Press n Seal Plastic Wrap
If you want to make a design with other colors, trace the design onto the surface lightly with a pencil. You can use delicate surface tape to block off the design or use a product called Press n Seal plastic wrap like a stencil. Pull out a sheet of plastic wrap and cover the area, pressing it flat. Using a sharp craft knife cut out the shapes and remove the plastic wrap from these areas. Burnish the edges to make sure there is a good seal.
Add a different color to some of your glaze. Repeat the process you did with the raw umber glaze in the areas where you removed the plastic wrap. After this step, remove the plastic wrap. Let it dry thoroughly. You can repeat this process as many times as you wish. Using a paint pen and a straight edge outline the shapes.
Spray with several coats of clear acrylic to reveal a beautiful faux Travertine tabletop.
Ruth McKinsey - My name is Ruth McKInsey and I have had my own decorative Painting business for 20 years. I was educated in faux finishes and special ...
