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Unique Marimekko Christmas Wall Art Made From A Table Top

I’m so easily distracted my creative mind never seems to switch off. The other week, while making my salvaged wood Christmas tree, an old wooden table hiding at the back of the garden caught my eye. I was compelled to do something with it. I wanted to turn it into some form of Christmas wall art.

So, of course, everything else fell by the wayside that afternoon. I didn’t even stop to cook dinner. We ended up with a takeaway for tea. I was on a roll and had to upcycle that tabletop straight away.

My three main crafting obsessions are denim, maps, and Marimekko. Marimekko won this time!

I already had a stack of gorgeous Marimekko paper napkins in lovely Christmasy reds. The tabletop was a perfect base to decoupage with these napkins.

It showed off all the lovely Marimekko designs. It created a stunning piece of Christmas wall art simultaneously with a modern mid-century feel.

Mid-Century Modern Christmas Wall Art Tutorial

It was fun making this Christmas decoration. I think it looks like a great big Marimekko moon.

It is indeed a striking piece of Christmas wall art. I could even use it as a Christmas noticeboard to pin my Christmas cards on. Or I could add hairpin legs and have my own Marimekko Christmas coffee table.

What I do know is that I love it. And will be hanging it on my wall as a unique piece of Christmas wall art. It looks fabulous in my dining room with my red chalk paint cupboard.

Table top before

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What you need to make Mid-Century Modern Christmas Art

  • A large round piece of wood- I used an old garden tabletop, but you can use any piece of round wood, like the top of a cable spool.
  • Orbital Sander – you can sand by hand, of course, but I’m too impatient! (Personally, an orbital sander is one of the best investments I’ve made for my upcycling toolbox.)
  • An assortment of paper napkins – I used Marimekko paper napkins in Christmas colours. I used no more than two paper napkins for each design. Some shops on eBay offer a few paper napkins at a time specifically for decoupage rather than a whole packet.
Assortment of Marimekko Christmas napkins.

How to Make The Christmas wall art

Step 1: First, sand the tabletop with an orbital sander. Once the table has been sanded and wiped down, it is ready to decoupage.

Sanding tabletop

Step 2: Secondly, prepare the napkins for the decoupage. Most paper napkins are three-ply. Separate the ply, as only the top ply is used.

perparing napkins for decoupage

Step 3: Next, cut the napkins into manageable pieces. I cut the napkins into strips the same width as each wood plank for this tabletop. Apply the Mod Podge to the wood and not to the paper napkins. Carefully lay the napkins down onto the wood face up.

Top Tip: to smooth out the napkins, screw up the unused ply of the paper napkin into a ball and cover it with clingfilm. Use this clingfilm ball to smooth out the napkins by pressing down on them with it.

The clingfilm doesn’t stick to the paper napkins, reducing the chances of tearing it.

Decoupage with paper napkins onto wood.

Step 4: Next, carefully apply a layer of Mod Podge onto the top of the decoupage napkins, providing a protective coating.

Decoupage with paper napkins onto wood.

Step 5: Using a sanding block, sand off the excess paper from the edges once all the paper napkins have thoroughly dried.

Sanding off papaer edges

Step 6: Apply a final coat of Mod Podge to the top of the table to act as a protective varnish.

Decoupaged Marimekko Christmas Wall Art

It is easy to hang this piece of upcycled Mid-Century modern-style Christmas wall art. I just rested it on two strong wall hooks.

Marimekko Christmas Decoration

The Christmas wall art also doubles as a handy card pinboard. Another suggestion is to turn it into a giant upcycled wall clock by adding a battery mechanism and some giant clock hands.

Marimekko tabletop art

I liked this upcycled tabletop decoration so much that it hangs on my wall all year round. I have also made giant cardboard ornaments with a mid-century modern feel. You’ll find more decoupage projects here.

Do you ever get distracted when crafting and end up making something you had no idea you wanted to make?

As you may have gathered, this is not my only Marimekko upcycle; you may want to check out these too:
Unique Marimekko bench
Red Cupboard upcycle with a hint of Marimekko
DIY Marimekko Shoes
Marimekko wallpapered stairs

How about something different for your decorations.  Upcycled mid-century modern style Marimekko Christmas wall art.  Can double up as a card pinboard. #Marimekko #ChristmasaDecoration #Christmas #wallart

Lydia from Life Beyond the Kitchen

Wednesday 6th of December 2017

Claire I knew this was your project before clicking through! I love the fabrics you've chosen . I hope that it inspires people to give that beat up table top a second look :) Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty #ccbg :)

Claire Armstrong

Thursday 7th of December 2017

Thank you. If it's a Marimekko craft then the chances are it's one of mine. I love it on my wall and I think I'll keep it up all year round.

Sam - Raggedy Bits

Wednesday 6th of December 2017

Such a cool idea Claire!! Love that you used an old tabletop!!

Claire Armstrong

Wednesday 6th of December 2017

Thank you, Sam.

Donna @ Modern on Monticello

Tuesday 5th of December 2017

I have unfinished projects all over my house because I get distracted by a new one all the time. I really like how unique this project is and how good it looks on the wall. Pinned it for inspiration. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty

Claire Armstrong

Tuesday 5th of December 2017

Thank you, Donna. I do like it on my wall I might actually keep it up all year round.

Nina Lewis

Tuesday 5th of December 2017

Your wall art is beautiful and amazing!! I wish I had a wooden circle that I could turn into art. But I don't . . . I'll see if I can find something else . . . Thanks so much for sharing at our Party in Your PJs.

Claire Armstrong

Tuesday 5th of December 2017

Thank you, keep your eyes open you might find one in a skip(dumpster).

Florence @ VintageSouthernPicks

Tuesday 5th of December 2017

Claire, what a stunning piece! Shared to my FB page.

Claire Armstrong

Tuesday 5th of December 2017

Thank you so much and thanks for the share.