{DIY} Otomi Patio Table

Hey, hey, hey friends! How was your weekend? Ours was crazy busy, and unexpectedly cold, but that didn't keep me from finishing my last project for the Home Depot Patio Challenge. And I am positively giddy to share it with you today! Most projects start out grand in my head, but never seem to translate into what I envisioned. It's rare for one to live up to my expectations, much less exceed them. So I was thrilled when this little table turned out even cuter than I'd hoped...I dare say it's my favorite project to date!

This outdoor table was in sad shape, so I gave it a fresh coat of Rustoleum 'Real Orange' (to go with the DIY Dry-Erase Serving Tray). It was a quickie makeover, and I didn't plan on posting anything about it. After all, how many times have we seen the power of spraypaint? (But really, does it ever get old?!) I threw this image up on InstaGram (@cassiesugarplum), and many of you commented that you couldn't wait to see what I was going to do with it...so that got me thinking (which doesn't usually end well).

I was brainstorming all the usual patterns and shapes, then my aunt suggested otomi! It was an ah-ha! moment...clearly I'm a fan of Mexican decor and bright colors. And who didn't fall instantly in love with Grace's Otomi Headboard?

I'll spare you all my trial and errors, and just tell you the simplest way to pull this off. (Because we're all about fast and easy around here. And isn't that what bloggers do...work out the project kinks for the rest of us?) After drooling over Lena Corwin's Otomi Stenciled Dresser, I downloaded the otomi pattern she graciously shared here, and printed out her template. I played with the size a bit so the scale would be right for my table. Then I traced all my favorite shapes on clear contact paper, but any that you can see thru would work.

After cutting them all out, arrange them like a puzzle on your surface...the busier the better.

Then carefully peel the backing off the shapes, and apply them to your surface. Lightly smooth around the edges so paint doesn't get through, but not so hard that you can't peel them off after.

Then give the surface several light layers of a contrasting color paint. My aunt was too anxious to wait for reveal pictures, so she came over to see for herself. Of course I put her to work helping me peel the shapes off once they were dry, using a razor blade to get each one started.

We literally gasped and high-fived at the finished table...I adore the lively colors and vibrant pattern, not to mention the uniqueness.

The table has been painted so many times that some of the orange peeled off with the contact paper. But I actually think it adds more character and patina to it.

I can hardly wait to show you the entire patio, but I think you can probably guess the colors we used. Oh, and total time spent on this project was only about two hours! I've already started looking around for more things to otomi. Oh geez, I'm using it as a verb now. What do you think of my crazy little table? Are you as smitten as I am?! Do you love otomi, too?