This Hot Pinterest Trend is Perfect for Budget Decorators

published Jan 25, 2018

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Bone inlay, intarsia and marquetry furniture is popping up more and more these days, and why not? It’s a gorgeous look whose perfect amount of symmetry keeps it from being too busy. Plus, it fits in with almost every kind of decor style. (The Pinterest community agrees: saves for the term “bone inlay” are up 207% this year.) The downside? The hefty price tag, unfortunately. But here’s the good news. You can easily get this look at home, for a fraction of the cost.

(Image credit: Hippo Wong)

Let’s start with our very own Apartment Therapy’s IKEA hack, where we took an IKEA RAST dresser and dressed it up using paint and a stencil pattern.

(Image credit: Bless’er House)

Almost all the DIY bone inlay projects use the same stencil kit, but I love how each blogger put their own spin on it. Lauren of Blesser House demonstrates how scalable the kit is with her nesting side tables. This would be a great way to unify a mismatched set!

(Image credit: PMQ for Two)

PMQ for two marries chalk paint and tassel knobs to really bring the bohemian style out of this IKEA dresser.

(Image credit: One Kings Lane)

Any flat surface is perfect for this project, and stairs shouldn’t be left out. The ombre, alternating patterns of this staircase seen on One Kings Lane energize an often overlooked space.

(Image credit: The Painted Hive)

Kristine of The Painted Hive completely restored an old sideboard with the help of a wall stencil. Looking for large, wall stencils to fully cover your piece will save you time arranging individual kit pieces.

(Image credit: Cityscape Bliss)

For smaller projects you can always use stamps! Cityscape Bliss uses the good, old fashioned potato method to create a looser pattern.

(Image credit: Crate and Barrel)

Now that you have the method down, take inspiration from some of our favorite retailers. Crate & Barrel’s wood and white geometric Parsons table is the most modern of the bunch. (Also lead image above.)

(Image credit: Graham and Greene)

How gorgeous is this chartreuse mirror from Graham and Greene? The inlay pattern mirrors with the unique frame and the color choice is 10/10. A thin, border stencil would work well for a project like this, or all over a basic wooden chair.

(Image credit: Homelife)

Look closely at the knobs on this dresser from Anna Spiro’s country house, seen on Homelife: they’re flowers like the pattern and blend into the smaller pattern for a streamlined look.

(Image credit: Anthropologie)

If the bright blue left you thinking “There is no way that would look right in my house”, look to Anthropologie’s monochromatic, white-on-beige option. The neutral palette is an easy way to include the pattern without it becoming the center piece.

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