 Decoupage is a fancy term for an intricate form of cut and paste. The art originated in the 12th century, when the Chinese used it to decorate windows and boxes, and it later flourished as a popular way to adorn furniture. Artists such as Matisse and Picasso used decoupage in their work. Recently, professional artists and do-it-yourselfers alike have used this simple, versatile technique to spruce up items in their homes, personalize gifts and create replicas of art from centuries past. HGTV's Carol Duvall, of the Carol Duvall Show, explains how to transform store-bought items into self-taught artwork using decoupage. How it Works
Carol Duvall, who has been working with decoupage for years, describes the craft as a "cut-glue-coat" process. "Decoupage is essentially cutting paper and decorating surfaces with it," she says. "A lot of folks these days are just taking stickers, slapping them on a surface, putting a protective coating over it and calling it decoupage, but that's not true to the art." Real decoupage uses cutout images placed on a surface, and covering the image with a specialized decoupage coating that can be found at craft stores. Most designers use three to four coats of the clear, protective finish to "bury" the cutout into a surface. Duvall says that half of the craft lies in the cutting. "Cutting is a technique in and of itself," she says. "Real decoupage uses cuticle scissors; they're skinny blades and they're sharp. You can then put the pieces on as you cut them, or you can make your own design. At any rate, the main goal is that you choose your paper, and you cut it." What to Use
So what exactly do you cut? You can use virtually any shape, pattern or design that catches your eye - whether it is in a book or magazine, on an old tablecloth or a computer-printed image. Your sources are limitless, which is part of the draw of decoupage. For beginners, Duvall recommends using gift-wrap. "Gift wrap is great because it's readily available, it's inexpensive and it generally keeps up with the trends," she says. She also suggests using greeting cards and purchasing books that are specially made for decoupage cutouts. When choosing paper, Duvall recommends those that have a matte finish. Papers with glossy finishes - like photographs - have slick surfaces that often won't hold the protective coating. And if you're using cutouts from books or magazines, she cautions to check that any print on the flip side doesn't show through the design. If it does, she says, brush on a layer of craft paint to cover it up. Where to Use it
Just as you can use a print or design from nearly any type of paper, you can apply designs on almost any surface. From wooden boxes and photo frames to lampshades, mirrors and stools, you can personalize practically anything. For beginners, Duvall recommends something simple. "A plain little wall plaque that you can find in your craft store is a great place to begin," she says. "They're not very big and they're easy to work on." A flat surface for beginners is key. Consider decorating photo boxes with mementos from family or friends, or customize kitchen stool seats to match your interior décor. As you advance in the craft, you can move on to more challenging objects, such as plates, bowls, lampshades and furniture. Creativity is Key
Decoupage lends itself to a variety of looks, depending on the style of paper. For an antique appearance, try cutting flowers from scrapbook paper. For a retro look, cut classical icons from magazine pages. The outcome of your project is limited only by your imagination. Duvall reminds that when using decoupage, creativity is key. "If you like the look of certain things you put together," she says, "isn't that all that matters? If you like it, it's not wrong." | DESIGNER ADVICEPREPARE FOR SUMMERBRIGHT IDEASFACT OR FICTION |
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