I have found a couple posts about the faux tortoise shell table top Laurie created a long time ago (season 1 - episode: miami, 83rd street) but apparently the link to the directions has been deleted. Is there anyone who knows the directions or what a new link might be. I really want to use the same technique. Thanks so much for any help!

I FOUND IT!!!

Base Color: Latex Satin Finish Paint - Laurie used a Cream color

Paint 2 coats base color - let dry completely (at least 4 hours - overnight is best)

Sand lightly & apply glaze.
Glaze:
3/4 c. malt vinegar
2 Tbs. Burnt Umber Powder Pigment (must be powder)
1 Squirt liquid dish soap

Mix galze ingredients and apply liberally with a small brush. Then dabble your fingers on glaze like you're playing a piano (lightly). Don't allow glaze to dry while your dabbling or you'll get fingerprints. Finish may look chalky as it dries but that will go away when you finish with at least 2 or 3 coats coats high gloss spray varnish.

After weeks of searching for powdered paint pigment locally, I gave up and bought it online. I just finished two end tables that I wanted to tortoise-shell the tops. They look great! I did find that the glaze mixture was incredibly runny. I actually did two layers of the glaze. It definately gave the finish more depth. If I do this again though, I will cut the amount of vinegar down. It was just too soupy for one coat. FYI: If you intend to do table edges or legs wait until you get down to the bottom of you bowl of glaze. The dregs are much thicker, which keeps it from just running off onto the ground.