How to Create Faux Burl

Paint a base coat on the furniture, using semigloss white latex paint according to the paint manufacturer's directions. Allow the base coat to dry completely.

Combine 1 tbsp. raw sienna acrylic craft paint, 1 tbsp. latex glazing medium and 1 tbsp. extender medium. Mix thoroughly to create a glaze. This amount is sufficient to cover a 36-in.-diameter round tabletop. Adjust the amount of glaze needed based on the furniture piece you are glazing.

Brush the glaze over the entire furniture surface. Immediately pat the damp surface, using your extended fingers and flat hand palm in a circular motion. Your fingers and palm lift damp glaze off the furniture, creating a burl-like pattern resembling the inner rings of a tree trunk. Wipe your hand with a soft cloth periodically, keeping your hand clean so the amount of glaze lifted is consistent.

Brush extremely light, straight strokes over the damp glaze treatment, using a dry chip brush. Feather edges of the ring shapes to give a soft look. A chip brush looks like a regular house painting brush, but it is made from natural bristles. Next, load a bristle brush with a small amount of additional glaze mixture. Lightly swipe random, straight strokes to resemble the uneven dark and light of real wood. Allow the furniture to dry for at least eight hours.

Apply a water-based polyurethane sealer coat, following the manufacturer's directions. This coat will protect your new faux finish from scratches. Allow the polyurethane coat to dry overnight before using.