enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Tape
Tapecomputer

My June goals list wants me to accomplish three "just for fun" projects. This is the first.

I saw this awesome DIY taped table from ladycroissant.com on Thursday and couldn't stop thinking about it. Literally, in Vegas, I was thinking about that table. On Sunday, I went to Target because rumor has it they have cheap solid color tape. At my second Target store, they had it in stock. (Heads up – the brand is Kid Made Modern. It's $6.99 for 9 rolls. It is NOT washi tape, but more like paper tape. Texture/weight is like a post-it note, but the stick is good. I noticed some colors did not come off the roll very well, so that was annoying. But overall the bright colors were perfect and for this project didn't want to spend more money on legit solid-colored washi.)

Tapeprogress

I cleaned off my computer desk, which is a cheap three piece table from Ikea. I wiped it down with windex to clear the dust and coffee/ink stains. After that dried, I got to work.

Tapeontape

Less than an hour (and two packs of Kid Made Modern tape + half of two other solid colored rolls of normal washi) later, my work desk looked so rad.

Tapefull
Tapewrapped
Tapecorner

I just taped long strips and wrapped them around the edges. I added a few extra strips of color at places where I felt like an extra color was needed. When I had all the colored tape on there, as an extra precaution, I secured them to the underside of the desk with some clear packing tape. This was absolutely a "stick with it" (no pun intended) project. About a quarter of the way through, it looked so stupid and I worried I was wasting time and money. By the end, I was obsessed.

Tapeside

Seriously, I love the pop of color. Every time I walked into my office yesterday, I smiled. And I'll be the first to say this is the opposite of practical and it might not hold up very long. But I am going to be careful with it because I adore it. (Obviously, I could try some long term solutions like adding a piece of plexi-glass, covering it with laquer, etc.)

Tapeabove2

At the moment? Totally worth it. I'll let you know what it looks like at the end of the week. 😉

And remember, the project was inspired by this cute blog. Thank you for the idea, Adeline!

 

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81 responses to “just for fun / taped work table.”

  1. Jenny Avatar
    Jenny

    My local target has this tape. I want it!! How is it holding up? I want to do it with my desk but I don’t know where I can find a glass or plexiglass top for the desk. Any ideas for where I would buy one? Thanks

    Like

  2. elise blaha Avatar

    It is holding up okay. Still looks good … I am not expecting miracles. You could check a home improvement store for plexi-glass.

    Like

  3. michelle ramirez Avatar

    fantastic….like another level fantastic!!!!

    Like

  4. Cathy Avatar

    I really LOVE this idea. If only there was a Target in South Africa!!! Reckon I will need to investigate some options as I would love to do this in my scraproom… really liven things up.

    Like

  5. Adeline Avatar

    Wow! Your desk looks amazing!
    Thank you so much for mentioning my DIY; I had no idea it would become so popular. I’m more than glad I discovered your blog as well.
    Have a beautiful day!

    Like

  6. Allison Degenfleder Avatar
    Allison Degenfleder

    i think if you put mod podge over the top of it it would finish it off really well. it is a waterbase sealer, glue, and finish. it works amasingly

    Like

  7. Agus Avatar

    way too awesome!! totally love the idea!!

    Like

  8. Ipinkgirl Avatar
    Ipinkgirl

    My friend recced this to me. I’m already ordering my washi tape.

    Like

  9. ipinkgirl Avatar

    I did it! I ran out of washi, but I placed another order and I’ll be finishing up next week, but if you want to see it, I pinned it on pinterest. http://pinterest.com/pin/61361613643991339/

    Like

  10. tina Avatar
    tina

    Do you think a coat or two of Modge Podge would do the trick?

    Like

  11. elise blaha Avatar

    Maybe! But I worried it would be tacky. I am so happy I did not try to cover it. Still looks great after three months. 🙂

    Like

  12. Sharon@LittleOldBungalow Avatar

    I LOVE this! I have a white Ikea table that’s sitting on my patio and I’m dying to try this on it. I immediately thought Modpodge over the tape but I also like the idea of having a plexiglass because you can slide pictures underneath it. Great pictures!

    Like

  13. Kristy Avatar
    Kristy

    Can you tell me how it’s holding up? I wonder if a clear coat on top would make it durable?

    Like

  14. elise blaha Avatar

    It is still pretty great! I have added a few more strips of tape as things have peeled. I was hesitant to add a clear coat because I did not want it to be tacky or grimy. So far so good.

    Like

  15. Jacky {The Sweetest Petunia} Avatar

    wow, I love this! so cheerful, colorful & fun! 🙂

    Like

  16. pretty little // gina Avatar

    Gah! I saw one of these somewhere on the web, a while ago and haven’t been able to get it out of my mind. Then recently, I sold my living room sectional and popped up two banquet folding tables. I then pulled out a load of crafting and art supplies and set them out in pretty dishes, shelves, jars…etc. and wouldn’t you know, my lovely ladies and I create Ten tjmes more than we ever did when we had to pull supplies out/put them away. I have also been inspired to pirchase new mediums to try- again, when it’s right there….
    Anyways, the tables themselves look terrible in this, the main living space in our home and this idea has been flitting around in my head. Holding me back was the projected cost… I have just 7 very used rolls of washi tape… so thank you for the heads up about the line at target. I had briefly saw some of items of that namebrand- large multicolored crayons and thought I rather buy them small- on etsy, but this tape seemslike an okay purchase to make!!! I will let you know when we give it a go!!!

    Like

  17. Laura K Avatar
    Laura K

    does it hold up without the plexiglass? my desk definitely needs a do-over and this would be a brilliant way to do it, if it only can take some working too. 🙂

    Like

  18. elise blaha Avatar

    It has done alright – not prefect, but holding up. 🙂

    Like

  19. Jill Avatar
    Jill

    Toni, is your table top smooth enough to write on? I’m trying to figure out if I can put washi tape on my daughter’s desk top. It’s one of those old school desks that opens up, so I can’t put plexiglass on it, but the surface would have to be smooth. Did the hard gloss Mod Podge do it??

    Like

  20. Sofi Avatar
    Sofi

    Hi, I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now, and have been really enjoying it.
    Also, I really liked this tape table post… and then today I saw it published on facebook here- https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=494360717282704&set=a.176165619102217.50940.100001263390660&type=1&theater
    shared from this source-
    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=494360717282704&set=a.176165619102217.50940.100001263390660&type=1&theater
    without any credit to you and it really frustrated me.
    So I just thought you should know…
    Keep doing an amazing job filling this blog with ideas and great words!

    Like

  21. makenzi Avatar
    makenzi

    how does this hold up? I am considering doing this, but afraid of lifting and warping?

    Like

  22. elise blaha Avatar

    It looked awesome for a few months. And then it peeled up. I loved it though.

    Like

  23. cerita lucu Avatar

    love this project. it gives me idea to make my own

    Like

  24. Zrd Avatar
    Zrd

    Do you know if I can find washable tapes in different colors???Thank you!!!

    Like

  25. Sarah Avatar

    Totally in love with this

    Like

  26. azzy Avatar
    azzy

    I have that same table! I will have to try this. Do you know the name of that three piece table from Ikea? I’m trying to buy a second one and I can’t find it anywhere!

    Like

  27. Irene Magalhaes Avatar

    Genial,obrigada!
    Bjo,Nena

    Like

  28. soki22 Avatar
    soki22

    This isn’t my style, but I LOVE that you saw an idea and then went out pretty much right away and DID IT. You’re so great at that, Elise! – See more at: http://eliseblaha.typepad.com/golden/2012/06/just-for-fun.html#sthash.Z8cDDKoV.dpuf
    here
    here
    here
    here
    here
    here
    here

    Like

  29. gem Avatar

    Hi! Just wanted to drop by and let you know I saw this project of yours on Pinterest a couple months ago and FINALLY got around to doing it – LOVE how it turned out! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
    ~ gem
    Mine >> http://www.gemgirlart.com/gemgirlartblog/artsy-fartsy-stripey-washi-diy

    Like

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