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You are here: Home / Crafts / Easy Marimekko Decoupage on Wood Bowls

Easy Marimekko Decoupage on Wood Bowls

4th July 2018 by Claire Armstrong 15 Comments

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How to paper napkin decoupage on wood

I bought these 3 wooden bowls for £1 in my local charity(thrift) shop. I took them home and transformed them with a Marimekko napkin decoupage on wood. I’ve already talked about my extensive paper napkin collection and recently used them to make some ridiculously colourful Marimekko decorative tin can planters for the garden.
 
When I first spotted the wooden bowls, they reminded me of pub restaurants in the 80’s and 90’s when you would be served a side salad in them. With today’s trendy gastro pubs chances are you’ll get your food served in flower pot, anything but a plate or bowl!
 
Some people will say I’m a bit obsessed with Marimekko especially their Unikko poppy print. They might be right! I have Marimekko wallpapered stairs, a Marimekko bench in the garden and a whacking great piece of upcycled Marimekko Christmas art on the wall.
 
I loved the Marimekko wall art so much I decided that it wasn’t just for Christmas and have kept it up all year. So why not add some Marimekko decoupaged wooden bowls to the collection?
 
Marimekko Unikko decoupage on wood bowl pin
 
 
 
This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to see my disclosure policy.
 
 
 

What you need to decoupage on wood

  • Wooden bowls- These bowls are very common and still readily available.
  •  
    Small woven wood salad bowls
     
     

  • Oil and vinegar to clean the bowls if bought second hand.
  • Marimekko Unikko paper napkins – You will only need one for each bowl. The Unikko print comes in lots of different colourways, I chose those with a white background. Sometimes you can buy individual paper napkins on eBay for decoupage so it’s worth checking that out. Saves having to buy a whole packet when you only need one paper napkin.
  •  
    Marimekko Unikko Paper napkins
     
     

  • Mod Podge
  • Waterproof varnish – You might want to find a food-safe varnish if you are going to use these bowls for food.
  • Clingfilm / Sarin wrap
  • Glue brush
  • White chalk paint

 
 

How to decoupage on wood

  1. As I bought my bowls in a charity shop the first thing I did was give the outside a good clean with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and olive oil. I just rubbed on the oil mixture with a clean cloth and then buffed it with a dry cloth removing an excess.
  2.  
    cleaning wooden bowls with oil and vinegar
     

  3. Next paint the inside of the wood bowls with white chalk paint.
  4.  

  5. Once the paint is dry, cut out a large poppy flower from the Marimekko paper napkin. As the napkins are printed on white and the inside of the bowls are white you don’t need to be too precise when cutting out the flowers.
  6.  
    Cutting out Marimekko flower for decoupage on wood
     

  7. The Marimekko paper napkins are printed on 3 ply. Seperate the cut flower so that you are left with only the top printed ply. Cover the bowl with Mod podge and then place the flower ontop. Use a scrunged up piece of clingfilm/saran wrap to smooth out press down your napkin, this will stop it tearing.
  8.  
    Paper napkin decoupage
     
     

  9. Once the decoupage on wood has dried, you will need to seal it by adding another layer of Mod Podge or varnish.

 

 
 
Marimekko decoupage on wood three colours
 
 
I’ve got a few more Marimekko paper Unikko napkins in different colourways, so I’m going to get some more of these bowls so I can have a collection. The bowls look great on a summer table.
 
Marimekko decoupage on wood Uniko flower
 
Marimekko decoupage on wood
 
 
Even though the Marimekko Unikko poppy print is over fifty years old it still looks great today. They just update the colourways every year. I certainly haven’t tired of it. If you are also a fan of Marimekko prints you may want to check out all of my Marimekko crafts and DIY’s.
 
Unique Marimekko Crafts and DIY's
 
For more paper napkin decoupage ideas, visit favcrafts.com.
 
 

Marimekko Unikko decoupage on wood bowl pin
Marimekko Unikko decoupage on wood bowl

 
 

Filed Under: Crafts, Marimekko Tagged With: decoupage, decoupage on wood, marimekko, paper napkin, unikko, wood, wood bowl, wooden bowl

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer Perkins

    21st July 2018 at 3:50 pm

    I love these so hard. I want to make a set now. With as much random stuff as I have lying around you can never have to many cute catchall bowls on hand.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      21st July 2018 at 4:01 pm

      Thank you, they are handy. I’m on the lookout for more bowls as I have more of the Marimekko napkins in different colourways.

      Reply
  2. Julie

    12th July 2018 at 4:45 pm

    Totally lovely. I have a packet of Marimekko paper serviettes that I bought after seeing you use them for so many great crafts, the packet is not opened yet,( they are too lovely) but I will open it and use them some time – promise!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      12th July 2018 at 9:47 pm

      Thank you, I have quite a collection I can’t resist buying a packet whenever I come across them. I do also use them as serviettes too!

      Reply
  3. Debrashoppeno5

    8th July 2018 at 12:14 pm

    You are right, you do see these wooden bowls everywhere. Doing this technique really makes the bowls so lovely.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      8th July 2018 at 5:43 pm

      Thank you, I will grab some more next time I spot them and make more in different colourways.

      Reply
  4. Michelle Leslie

    8th July 2018 at 8:15 am

    Those are just the happiest, prettiest bowls ever. The Marimekko design are really pretty and I have to try your tip using cling film to stop the napkins tearing. That always seems to happen to me

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      8th July 2018 at 5:44 pm

      Thank you, Michelle the napkin tip works well.

      Reply
  5. Cecilia

    7th July 2018 at 10:35 pm

    I love how bright and colorful these are, Claire! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      8th July 2018 at 5:41 am

      Thank you, Cecilia.

      Reply
  6. Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled

    6th July 2018 at 1:41 pm

    Very fun! Silly question but can you actually use them for food or just as display?

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      6th July 2018 at 3:41 pm

      If you use a food safe varnish/sealer than they will be food safe. I use an eco varnish in the Uk which is food safe but you should find one on Amazon.

      Reply
  7. Susanne

    5th July 2018 at 11:00 pm

    So cute Claire!!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      6th July 2018 at 9:39 am

      Aww, thank you Susanne.

      Reply

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    14th July 2018 at 9:03 pm

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