Decoupage Paper | Easy How To Tutorial
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Vintage decoupage paper! Immediately I knew that the vintage door I had been hanging on to for so long was finally getting its makeover. This project takes me right back to those golden days I spent with my Grandma. Old doors and making memories. Oh, and it’s my first time to use tissue paper with decoupage. I’m sharing the good, bad, and a happy accident!
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Everything is DO-able! Even decoupage with tissue paper on an old door. Click To TweetDecoupage Tissue Paper
Just to upfront with you before we begin… today’s project is NOT about perfection with decoupage paper. It’s about aged imperfections. Pretty much the way I view most of my makeovers. Trying to create perfection is usually a recipe for disappointment. Well, for me anyway. Embrace the imperfections and just have fun creating because it’s about the journey. Now that I have you in the right frame of mind, let’s get started.
Products List For This Project
Click on the products below to find where to purchase.
- Vintage door/furniture
- Driftwood (chalk mineral paint)
- Gravel Road (chalk mineral paint)
- Tea Rose (chalk mineral paint)
- Cotton (chalk mineral paint)
- Top Coat (satin sheen)
- Decoupage Tissue Paper 20 X 30 (tissue sheets)
- Paintbrush
- Wax Brush
- Grunge Gray Wax
- Black Wax
- Decor Wax (Diamond Dust
- putty knife
The Application Of Decoupage Tissue Paper
The door (you can also use wood furniture for this technique) was painted with a combination of Driftwood and Gravel Road chalk mineral paint. I love blending colors and this combination looks like a great match with the transfer I chose.
Application Of The Decoupage Paper
After the paint has dried, the first step is to apply the Top Coat (works like Mod Podge but so much easier to work with) directly on the painted door/furniture. Next, apply the tissue paper directly on the wet topcoat. Make sure that the topcoat is equally covered over the area you want the decoupage tissue paper to adhere to. If a spot (even a small spot is missed) the tissue paper will not adhere. This may take some practice when working with decoupage tissue paper because it’s so fragile. Once the tissue paper comes in contact with the topcoat, it’s kind of like toilet paper hitting the water. It is drawn into the water-based topcoat. So make sure placement is accurate on the first go.
Because I was applying this to an inset of a door, I trimmed the edges with my fingernail while the tissue paper was still wet. I didn’t want a straight line for reasons you’ll see later on in the process. Yes, I know there’s probably a better way to do it… but hey, it’s my first get-go with tissue paper. I created a video tutorial for the process on a drawer front too on my next try. Here’s the tutorial that will explain more. CLICK HERE to see more!
What I Learned About Paint Color Choice
Allow the decoupage to dry overnight if you plan on blending paint around the edges of the decoupage tissue paper on your door/furniture. I used Tea Rose and Drift Wood chalk mineral paint and blended the two. Looking back, I learned that it would have been best if I had painted the background first with a similar color instead of painting over the darker paint color. Again, I learned a lot during my first try.
Adding A Distressed Chippy Look Over Decoupage Paper
After the topcoat and paint are dried, for a vintage aged look try using paint to create a chippy look over the tissue paper by dragging a putty knife across the tiny lines for a cool look. Happy accident for sure but I LOVE everything about this! Later on, I discovered on another decoupage paper project that if you apply the topcoat on your fingertip right after you apply the top coat on the paper, you can work out any tiny lines and bubbles easily. Live and learn! But I was still super happy.
I gave her highlights! Well, the girl needed something to make her pop. I used Decor Wax (Diamond Dust) and applied it with my fingertip to the lighter areas of her hair. Reminds me of my highlighting days before the gray… Huh!
Dark Wax For More Aging
Lastly, add colored waxes that compliment your decoupage tissue paper. WOW! I was speechless. It was like looking in a mirror. Like I mentioned before we started, I spent a lot of time with my Grandma during the Summer months. SHE introduced me to the paintbrush. A door very similar to this one was my first project. π The best memories ever!
Thank You, Grandma!
When I look at this door, I see all our memories. I know without a shadow of a doubt that my Grandma’s patience, instructions, praise, and encouragement are why I am here this very moment sharing this with you. This vintage door will accompany me in my office as a reminder of where it all started. Because of you.
No, it’s not the usual furniture makeover but why not use a vintage door as home decor. The best of Flea Market decor with decoupage paper! AND… if you loved this makeover, I added tissue paper to a vintage dresser too. CLICK HERE to see how tissue paper created a vintage feel with some depression glass knobs. And if you love antique doors, you’ll love this chippy makeover.
So, what do you think? I’d love to hear from you. Tell me about your experiences with unusual makeovers. Inspire me! I’m always looking for new ideas. The unexpected! π
Until the next project… xo, Do
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23 Comments
Do I love this project. I can tell how much this meant to you. I appreciate you sharing your talent and creativity. Iβve attempted the tissue decoupage not bad on my first try but it does take patience. ?
Perfect!
Perfect! Canβt ask for anything better than you and Royce together.
Thank you! She’s a real sweetheart! xo
Thank you, Mary! Yep, a bit of a learning curve but the results are so worth it. xo, Do π
?Never seen such a beautiful door like this before! I get more inspired every day by your creations. Thank you for sharing!β€οΈ
Where did you get tissue paper like that?
Hi Cynthia,
I appreciate your kind comments. I’m happy to share them. xo, Do
Hi Lori,
I got it here. https://www.zazzle.com/lady_sketch_decouapge_paper-256845838938693445 π
Stunning.
Thank you so much!
The door is absolutely gorgeous!!!
I LOVE this project!! It is absolutely amazing!! Not only is it a great idea for the door or other wood furniture, it gave me some great ideas for Christmas projects. I just placed an order with Zazzle and now I’m ordering some of the products from Dixie Belle. Can’t wait to find the wood and get started. Thanks!!
Awesome! So glad you liked it. Your gifts will be a huge hit. I would appreciate it if you order them through me. No additional charges.
Click here to order… https://dixiebellepaint.com?aff=80
xo, Do π
Thanks, Debbie! I’m pretty happy with it.
xo, Do π
I have an old home we bought for storage on our farm. It has doors like the one you decoupaged. With many other pieces of old wood I donβt even know what they are. The house was built before 1900. I want to do something with the pocket door and weights for windows. I love your website. And I love to paint with these paints and dark wax. Thank you again.
Hi, Dorthy. It sounds like you have a gold mine. How it will be to create amazing beauty from the past.
blessings xo, Do
You mentioned a tutorial you made on another decoupage project. Where can we find it. This is gorgeous!
Hi Mindy! Here ya go! π
https://www.dododsondesigns.com/how-to-decoupage-furniture-tutorial/
Do, this is so stunning! Just love your work and creative mind.
Thanks, Wendy! The mind is always working. xo π
Dear Do
I am from germany and i love your work .I watch a lot of your Tutorials on Pinterest and let me inspiering from your work .Unfortunatly I Cant get the Great Produkts you use (Dixie belle )in germany . There are Other Chalk Paints like rustoleum or Anie Sloan but they donβt have That much colors and are Really expensive .Sorry for my bad english,
Hello Ramona! Thank you so much for the kind words. Your English is much better than my German. Trust me. π Hang tight, it will be there soon and then you can paint your world.
xo, Do