Marquetry Made Simple

This trunk, stained dark walnut, features a crosshatch pattern of warm reddish-brown outlined with a stain pen.

• Polyurethane
• Brushes: 2-inch angled trim, two 2-inch chip
• Fine-grit sandpaper, tack cloth
• Minwax gel stains: Chestnut (CH), Honey Maple (HM), Mahogany (MA)
• Ruler and pencil
• Minwax Wood Finish stain marker: Dark Walnut
• Straightedge (optional)
• Lint-free cotton rag

1. Start with an unfinished wood piece.
2. Remove hardware and store it in a safe place.
3. Work on a drop cloth or plastic to protect your floor and catch dust and drips.
4. Sand and wipe with a tack cloth.
5. Apply polyurethane to entire trunk using an angled brush; let dry. (This finish allows the gel stains to coat the surface more evenly and is especially important on woods that don't take stain easily.) Sand lightly; wipe off excess dust with a tack cloth.
6. Using the chip brushes, stain the front panel with HM and the body with CH; let dry.
7. Measure 3-3/8-inch sections around the edge of the front panel and lightly draw diagonal lines with a pencil. (For larger or smaller diamond shapes, adjust your measurements.) Use the Dark Walnut stain marker and a ruler or straightedge to trace the lines and outer edge of the panel. Color in alternating diamonds with MA using the cotton rag to move and blend the color.
8. Sand lightly and wipe with a tack cloth.
9. Apply several coats of varnish or polyurethane to protect the finish. Allow to dry and then sand lightly between coats.