Transform a wooden kitchen table... add stencil placemats

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Paint the legs and sides of the table. Start by lightly sanding the table to remove any existing finish and use a small roller and paintbrush to give the table a single coat of paint.

Once dry, sand lightly over the first coat, then paint again to get a smooth finish and, if required, apply a third coat to get all-over coverage. To paint the rim a different colour, use masking tape for a crisp edge.

While the paint is drying, take a square piece of thick tracing paper or acetate and draw on your placemat design. Cut out the design and stick the outer piece in place on the tabletop as a stencil, using masking tape. Paint the design on using a medium-sized brush, allow to dry and repeat if necessary. Then simply move the stencil around the table edge and repeat the process as many times as you need place settings. You might like to try using chalkboard paint as you can then write guests' names in chalk at each place setting.

Total time taken: about two hours, plus drying time

Words and styling: Charlotte Boyd and Alaina Binks. Photo: Mark Scott.

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