isn't normal mapping an improvement on bump mapping?? normal mapping is just for fake 3d effects like bump mapping (ie, the surface is still flat but the surface doesn't look flat)

texture mapping, as far as i know, is the only way to texture objects in 3D. There is texture synthesis, but as of yet i'm still yet to know what that's all about

anyway, since your legs are stuck to your table you'll probably not want to cut them off, esp since it's a simple model

if you just go into the UVtexture editor then you can play around with the UVs there

then just take a UV snapshot and go crazy in your painting program. provided your painting program has layers and layer blend modes you'll be able to paint over/under the uv snapshot

hmm.. not sure if i made sense...