Introduction

One of the easiest and most impactful ways to update old furniture is to paint it. And you can take it up another notch by adding a decorative faux marble finish. While this project looks difficult, it's actually quite basic-you just need some paint, a handful of tools and a smidgen of patience. The following steps will show you how to paint a faux Carrara marble table.

This side table circa the 1970s cost just a few dollars at a garage sale. While not much to look at, it’s sturdy and solid. With a little bit of paint, though, it will look great.

Sponging white back into the marble pattern is a secret weapon! It allows you to easily fix mistakes, highlight curves and break up too-dark veins. Remember to dry-brush any areas that you sponge to blur the colors.

There’s also no need to let the layers dry fully while creating your marble look with paint; it’s easier to blend if the paint is still a bit wet. You don’t want harsh, cartoonish lines here; instead, try for softer veins that come naturally.