Decoupage Paper | How To Salvage A Vintage Door

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Vintage decoupage paper! Look what I discovered. 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. The good, bad and a happy accident!

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Decoupage 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 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. 🙂 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.

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 and unusual ideas. The unexpected! 🙂

Until the next project…