When applying decoupage, it's all about layering on the style. But don't get caught up in the glamour, my friend. A true master of the medium must balance finesse with fortitude.
Avoid the common mistake of 'over-glazing.' You see it all the time. A client comes to you with a beautifully crafted wooden table, and you, in your zeal for the craft, douse it in a half-dozen coats of polyurethane, only to have the poor thing resemble a cheap, tacky, 80s-era diner booth.
For the refined look, start with a light hand. A delicate dusting of varnish, a subtle whisper of lacquer. You want the wood to speak for itself, not be drowned out by the sheer force of your will.
Decoupage Tip 3c: The Art of Subtlety Decoupage Tip 4: The Joy of Over-Application