Family Subway Art Stenciled Table Top DIY

#subwayart #wordart #repurpose #upcycle #redo #diy #paintprojects #homemade #homeprojects #stencils #family #gatheringplace

A couple years ago, I found this inexpensive set of table and chairs on Craigslist and it was exactly what I was looking for! It wasn't pretty and needed work, but it was the perfect project for me and wasn't a table that I was afraid to let my kids eat on (for fear of them "messing" it up. lol)
I painted it and reupholstered the chairs and totally transformed it into a nice, fun table set for our family. I even added fun names to the chairs. (You can see the original post here.)

Well, then we moved a year and a half ago, and it got all scratched up in the moving truck. And now I finally have gotten around to sanding it down, and repainting it! 

But I added a bit more to it this time and I am in love with my newest

DIY project!

Check out how I made it below.

First, I sanded the whole table down again, and sprayed with a primer. Then I sprayed the top of the table an ivory color. 

I designed and cut out a large Family themed Subway art in vinyl to be used as a stencil on the table. You can see how large it was from the ruler sitting next to it here. It ended up being about 30 inches long. (And I loved it!) I applied the vinyl to the top of my table, centered right down the middle. 

Then I added a layer of decoupage to the top of the vinyl to help seal the edges. This was a new step that I haven't done before and isn't always needed.

After the decoupage had dried, I started spray painting the top of the table a glossy black once again.

One coat down, another to go.

And finally, it was done. I painstakingly, carefully, peeled off the vinyl stenciled letters to then reveal the ivory paint below, and...wala! I love the outcome!

A built in table runner! ;) 

I added my favorite chalkboard place setting place mats (seen here) and am in love with the new look of our table. I love the crisp black and white and love the inviting fun placemats!

What kind of words would you include on your own family's subway art? How fun would it be to personalize each family's subway art with things they like to do as a family! Hiking would definitely be on one of our top favorite things to do together!