Young House Love

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Painting And Reupholstering A Stool

This is another post that John wanted me to name Stool Boom (here’s why John likes that name). Anyway, a while back I redid a stool that wasn’t ours. It just showed up in the mail and I spruced it up. More on the mysterious mail thing in a minute. First here’s how I got ‘er done. This is a terrible before shot, but picture an old beat up periwinkle blue stool with nails and holes and a rotting wood top:

DIYStool Before With Nails

The first thing I did was get all the old nails out with the back of a hammer:

DIYStool Nails On Ground

Then I primed it and painted it a rich navy color (I just grabbed a $3 test pot of paint in Benjamin Moore’s Santa Monica Blue). Ignore the crazy-bright blue color going on in this picture – it’s a very strange camera trick. In real life = navy. Anyway, after my two coats of paint were dry, I dug up some extra loft batting (originally from JoAnn) that I already had and some fabric that I had around as well. Why? Because I’m cheap. And it’s not my stool. Haha. If you’re keeping track, so far, I had sunk $3 into someone else’s stool.

DIYStool Painted With Batti

Then I got fancy and picked up two $1.79 boxes of decorative nail heads (from JoAnn). I know, I splurged. What can I say, I’m a giver.

DIYStool Nailhead Box

I figured I could use these guys to secure my batting and my fabric along each side of the stool. So I just cut the batting and the fabric about two inches larger than the top of the stool on all sides, and pulled the excess down and folded it under for a nice clean line. Then I tapped each nail head into place to keep things secure. I spaced them about 2″ apart (and used a 2″ piece of cardboard as a spacer to keep the gaps consistent). About thirty taps later I had done one side…

DIYStool Nailheads SidebySi

I continued to tap my way around the other three sides and I was left with a sweet little stool to not call my own. Total cost: $6.58. Except I have no earthly idea why she looks royal blue again. See the pics above – that’s probably the most true that the blue looks. So it’s a nice rich color but not too bright in real life.

DIYStool After Nailheads

Here’s a full shot from the side (the same pic I should have taken as a before instead of a zoomed in crazy one):

DIYStool After Full

Then I hugged her, kissed her (more than once), and lovingly sent her off. Sniffle. Weird stool business going on, right?

Well, it was actually for the fine folks at Do It Yourself magazine…

DIYWinter Cover

… where we have a Q and A column called “He Said, She Said“…

DIYWinterColumn Small

… but in our column we don’t redo furniture, so the stool was for another article they were running in their winter issue about makeovers by a few bloggers who all received surprise items in the mail to redo. There were some pretty amazing fellow bloggers in the mix, like: Style Me Pretty, Centsational Girl, Jen Geigley, Renegade Handmade, and Lori Andrews. It was really fun see what they did, like this two-tiered-table turned cake stand from Style Me Pretty:

DIYWinter Stool Cover

And here’s my little stool makeover. I love how they styled it with yarn because of all the craft stuff that I have in our house, I have zero yarn. Haha.

DIYWinter Stool Feature

Oh and really savvy folks might even recognize the fabric as one of the ones we used for Clara’s weekly pictures. We love how it looks like water and the bean looks like she’s swimming in this pic.

Clara 46 Weeks

After making her quilt and birthday banner there was still more than enough for a surprise stool makeover. Gotta love it. What furniture have you guys been making over lately? Any painting or reupholstering going on? And kiddos swimming around on fabric? Hey, if it makes ’em happy…

Psst- We might be biased, but we think this video of Clara singing a medley of songs is the cutest thing ever. That girl loves to sing!

Comments

  1. Colleen P. says

    As a matter of fact-My hubby made me an ottoman, to make my fave big poofy upholstered chair even more difficult to remove myself from, out of leftover plywood from a foray into cabinet making for the garage, leftover bits of 2×4 from the ledger board on said cabinets, and wheels that had turned out to be too small for the rolling wood rack he made. So the ottoman itself was free, but I did have to purchase upholstery fabric, batting, spray adhesive and foam. (I already have my own small air compressor, nail gun, and nails in every size-a girl needs plenty of spare nails, ya know.) Can’t remember exactly how much, but I do know the foam and batting were both 40% off at Hancock fabrics, the spray adhesive was 50% off also from Hancock, and the upholstery was from their remnant shelf so was probably around $8. I think somewhere in the area of $25?

    It has a small storage area under the lid as well so I can keep my stuff in it-I’m considering turning it into my coupon cutting center, after looking at your ottoman! Mine is much smaller so it probably will have to be a one use storage area, but it will still keep clutter out of the way, right?

    I have a subscription to that mag that my mom got me and I have that issue, I loved the stool but it still didn’t look navy in the mag either-I LOVE the navy, wonder why it didn’t photograph true?

    Reply

  4. Tracey says

    OMG, this is right up my alley. I love to rehab old furniture. So far, I have redone 3 couches, my kitchen island and my son’s dresser. My friends think I’m crazy when I do drive-bys of furniture left by the curb. It’s such a good feeling to make something old new again, not to mention less in the landfill. Way to go Sherry! You’re stool is cool and whata baaargain too!!!

    Reply

  8. Wrenaria says

    I just bought an old dresser that I’m going to makeover. I’m going to paint it and update the hardware. Still deciding on color. I did mock up some options with my current furniture! (Art is my own and subject to change.)

    Here’s the colors I’m considering:
    Yellow: http://bit.ly/wUA3CT
    Teal: http://bit.ly/w9AleI
    Green: http://bit.ly/wEIEUI

    I was inspired by: http://pinterest.com/pin/89016530104292166/

    Mine actually has one less row of drawers, but is shaped exactly the same.

    Reply

  9. vanessa says

    I got an issue of Do It Yourself and I was sooo excited to see you guys in there! I felt like you were my friends that are famous! Then I realized you guys don’t know me and you’ve already been famous for awhile now :) haha. I just don’t understand how you two do it- you seem like you have a million things going on! But keep up the great work :)

    Reply

  12. Courtney Filipiak says

    Hello !! This has nothing to do with today’s post (though I loved it and the pict of C)but I didn’t know where else to leave it. I was shopping on West Elm and they have a Nino Doormat that reminded me of someone :o) LOVE the blog guys and can’t wait for the book .. Cheers !!

    Reply

  13. Diana @ Boy + Girl says

    Looks great! I love the fabric! No upholstering for me yet. I have a few items that are going to need a little bit of love in the coming months though. I have to wait to get started on them until I really see where our house is going, design wise. Right now we have plywood floors almost everywhere so refinishing furniture is pretty much at the bottom of the to-do list.
    -Diana

    Reply

  14. Sayward says

    Ever since the “stool sample” comment, I’ve been reading the rest of these comments like a middle school boy. I can’t even help it! Someone needs to intervene!

    By the way, Sherry, I totally love your stool.

    (See? It’s a sickness!)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, I think we actually bought one of those (we have it in our camera bag) but it was annoying dangling off the camera all the time so we took it off and now it’s in the camera bag and we use the manual function most of the time. Haha. But thanks for the reminder that we have one!

      xo,
      s

  18. Lisa in Seattle says

    Apropos of nothing, I love that the Z Gallerie ad on the sidebar features a new white ceramic animal – a giraffe head! It’s like they know you or something. Also they have a new white ceramic octopus (but I like yours better) and a puffer fish. Valentine’s Day is coming, John, I’m just sayin’.

    Reply

  19. The Parkers Blog says

    Why do you make things like so easy?? Gah! I really need to develop the patience to try this stuff since I’m too poor to buy expensive stuff, and think that’s usually a waste of money anyway. As always, you guys are my diy inspirations!

    Reply

  20. Melissa Evans says

    Right on! That’s SO fun: getting something in the mail like that….and you get to figure out what you want to do with it!

    …the first picture i stare at for a minute…it almost looked like bees or bugs on the leg of the stool.lol.

    I have excellent eye-sight….promise…it was too funny.

    Reply

  21. anissa says

    In some circles “get ‘er done” refers to a sexual act. You may want to re-think your use of that phrase as many women find it offensive.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Really? Never heard that! We definitely have been using that saying since the inception of this blog and never mean it to offend. Lots of contractors and handymen in our area (along with moms who are trying to get cupcakes done in time for the backsale) say it. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

    • Christine says

      I think it’s so widely used as a comment for checking things off your list or finally finishing something, that most people (and surely followers of this blog) would know how it was being used. Whats the world without jokes…and whats a joke when you have to always worry about it’s offense? Lighten up.

  23. Lauren says

    What timing with this post! I’m picking up a craigslist find on Monday. For $40 I’m getting a table and four chairs. I’m gonna refinish the table and hopefully swap out the chair for clear acrylic honeycomb chairs I’ve been dreaming about.

    Any tips for the refinishing for a city/condo dweller? I’ve been doing lots of online research and sadly, this project will have to wait until its nicer out but I’m concerned about cure time and inclement weather as I don’t have a garage.

    Any encouragement would be appreciated in fact… my mother’s response was, ew. Just go buy one! Not. Very. Helpful.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, you can do it! Go for it! We have a tutorial on our Projects page that should help (it’s for refinishing a veneer dresser, but the method works on refinishing all wood). Have so much fun!

      xo,
      s

  25. Laurie says

    I have a leather storage ottoman/bench that our kitten shredded. Seriously, the top looks like a cheese grater. But the bottom is in great shape so I pulled the leather off the lid and reupholstered it with red and gold fabric to match the accent colors in my kitchen and dining room. I want a window seat in the eat-in area of our kitchen and until we get around to building one, I put the bench under the window with some pillows to create a back. It looks great! I wish people would send me random pieces of furniture to re-do, although I probably wouldn’t send it back to them.

    Reply

  28. Christine says

    I recently went to pick up a $25 table from craigslist and when I showed up they were also looking to get rid of two cedar chests…one large one (for our bedroom) and one small one (for a little guy one day). For $50 I got all three items! I was stoke…they are all in awesome condition! However, I want to paint the big cedar chest white and add a cushion to the lid. My concern is how to do this so that the lid still closes completely…my guess is to only bring the fabric around the edge and not the batting? Can’t wait till it’s done and in our bedroom!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, I bet if you only brought fabric to the edge it’s so thin that it would hopefully still close. I’d lay some in there just to be sure before stapling anything! Have fun!

      xo,
      s

  29. Sarah says

    This is totally unrelated, but do you read Suri’s Burn Book? I just discovered it and I’m obsessed. I feel like it would be right up your alley!

    Reply

  30. LARY says

    AWESOME!!!!! Love the stool! How great that an actual magazine contacted all of you guys for those articles. I think is great how bloggers and magazines and merging little by little.

    Reply

  32. Britney says

    Sherry, here’s a challenge for you: write a blog post WITHOUT using the following phrases: “to ____________ things up,” “punchy”, “pop of color”, “call me a rebel/giver/etc.,” or making reference to/calling yourself cheap. I can hardly get through a post anymore without cringing. If you need help refreshing your writing style, I know good copywriters you can hire for that sort of thing.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We just write the way we talk. Always have and always will! I definitely have some go-to phrases in real life and in blogging! Other things I say a lot: they were ____ a pop, woo to the hoo, holla, etc. There’s definitely not one right way to blog, so we just do what comes naturally to us – which is what has gotten us here today! Call me a rebel. Haha.

      xo,
      s

    • Leslie says

      Wow. I bet Britney has a famous blog with over four million readers a month since she has so much unsolicited advice for you. Wait, no I don’t. Don’t change a thing! We love you because you’re real!

    • Megs says

      Britney, here’s a challenge for you: stop being rude and let people blog how they want to blog. What are you, the language police?

    • Penny says

      Britney! I love your music. You should maybe stick with that instead of leaving rude comments on highly successful blogs.

    • SherriEakin says

      Maybe the stool boom has Britney feeling a little cranky today… (Poop jokes NEVER go out of style!)

      I personally love the writing style on this blog, never change!

    • Penny says

      Cheer up KTM! At least I didn’t say “Leave Britney alone!!” THAT would’ve been cringeworthy. :)

  36. SherriEakin says

    I didn’t get a chance to watch the video when you did the first Stool Boom post, but I did today! HAHA!! Adding to the Netflix right now! Great job on the DIY. I’m a no-sew kinda girl so I like simple projects like this. Thanks! :)

    Reply

  38. Tracey says

    I love to rehab old furniture. So far I’ve redone 3 couches,a chair, my kitchen island and my son’s dresser. My friends think I’m crazy when I spot old furniture by the curb and do a drive by to scope it out. I love the feeling of making something old, new again, not to mention less in the landfill. Your stool looks cool and whata baaargain!

    Reply

  41. Sarah says

    In the thick of turning a ottoman into a storage ottoman. Accidently stepped on the side and broke the inner woodwork, also broke off a leg. I haven’t really invested too much in carpentry, so this could be fun :D

    Reply

  42. Nora says

    I feel like you could totally turn stool boom into a verb. Like, “$herdog, we totally stoolboomed that penny tile.”. And then you would high five.

    Reply

  43. Courtney says

    I have a subscription to DIY magazine and was so psyched to see this transformation when the issue arrived. I bought that same fabric at Jo-Ann’s a few months ago (I’m a Richmonder) and made a shirt from it (my first pattern making experience!). My husband and neighbor thought it was the ugliest fabric they had ever seen and I loved it! I was so happy to show them the fabric in print… it certainly made me feel validated!

    Reply

  44. mp says

    I’m getting up my courage to reupholster my office chair with some fabric I got at an outlet store (don’t remember its name, but it’s in the shopping center at the intersection of Robious & Huguenot), and my daughter just agreed to help me make slipcovers for a beloved leather chair & ottoman that my puppy Bruiser (one of Burger’s brethren) damaged. I can’t afford to have the leather repaired right now, so I’m covering them in dropcloth-canvas slipcovers until my bank account is a bit healthier.

    Reply

  46. Suzannah says

    My favorite (to date) re-upholstery job has been transforming a wingback chair that I had gotten from a friend who got it from a friend…into a lovely stylish seat. It went from plaid drab to contemporary mod with a good choice of fabric and a two-weekend upholstery class at a nearby fabric store. I’d love to share pics. Let me know!

    Reply

  47. Jenn C. says

    I’m working on a Wingback chair as well. Found it on the curb, ready to be thrown in the trash. The frame needs a little tightening and I need to replace the seat springs along with the re-upholster. Going to upgrade the batting to a 1-inch thick batting for added softness as well. If I get out of this alive, I’ll be sure to share. ;-P

    Reply

  48. bobbi says

    I just got my first issue and noticed you guys are in there! wow! you are everywhere :)

    ha. love the stool. i hope that she is not in a storage garage somewhere.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Me too! I like to think someone took her home. There used to be a “free table” when I interned at a Meredith magazine in college (where people adopt leftovers and give them a good home). Here’s hoping!

      xo,
      s

  49. Kristine says

    Hi Sherry,

    Can you tell me which frame from Target to showcase children’s art you are referring to in your DIY He Said She Said article? (link please!) I think it would be a great gift to my best friend who has her daughter’s art overloading all her kitchen drawers. :D Thanks!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Sometimes it’s not online, but it’s always in the frame aisle in the store when we’re there. It just has kid art framed in it (to help you find it) and flips open so you can easily change the art. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  50. Mandy V says

    I love this stool and the colors! We have done a painting/re-upholstery project before on a small scale (Kitchen table). http://mandyandconner.com/2011/10/11/table-talk/

    Now we are in the midst of fully reupholstering an accent chair. It has been dragging out over a few months but your post today gave me an extra little bit of inspiration to complete the project. Thanks for that! Have a wonderful day.

    xo

    Reply

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