Do-It-Yourself Nailhead Tables

Adding decorative nailheads to a garage sale find has the ability to trash into treasure. Nails hold leather or upholstery fabric in place, or simply trace a design in the wood. Decorative nailheads come in a variety of colors and shapes. Simple brushed, chrome circle or square nailheads work well with a stream-lined contemporary design. Choose an aged or distressed nailhead for older pieces. Paint or distress your table before making the design to protect the decorative heads.

Things You'll Need

• Large sheet of paper
• Tape
• Table
• Thumbtack
• Nails with decorative heads
• Rag
• Hammer

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Tape a large sheet of paper on the table surface. Draw the design for the nailheads on the paper. Mark the placement of the nails with dots on the paper.

   • 2

     Press the thumbtack through the paper and into the tabletop to transfer the nail placement onto the table.

   • 3

     Place the point of a nail with a decorative head into the first hole. Press the nail as far as you can with your hand. Cover the nailhead with a rag and drive the nail into place with one sharp blow from the hammer.

   • 4

     Repeat for every hole marked.