Young House Love

Home Decorating, DIY Tutorials, & Shenanigans

  • Our Current House
  • Our Previous Homes
    • Our Richmond House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
  • Before & Afters
    • Our Current House
    • Our Previous House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
    • Our First House
    • Our Second House
    • Our Showhouse
  • DIY & Decorating Tips
    • Most Popular
    • Home Improvement
    • Painting
    • Cleaning & Organizing
    • Crafting & Art
    • More . . .
  • Podcast
    • Getting Started
    • Show Notes
  • Shop
    • Our Fav Home Finds
    • Our Lighting Line
    • Our Books
    • Book Club Picks
    • Black-Owned Businesses

Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Stenciled Seats

| By John Petersik | January 26, 2012 | 88 Comments

Reader Redesign: Stenciled Seats

The soft spot we have for stencil projects has certainly grown since our office undertaking, but this one by Amy at The Casablanca Transformation would probably win over even the most skeptical stencil fans. And it actually sounds doable in well under fourteen hours! Score. Here’s her letter:

No matter how many decorating projects I do in my lifetime this one will surely go down in history as one of my all time best! I am so happy I had the idea and even happier that I dared to try! Here is the plain white leather bar stool before:

Amy Barstool Before

And the after!

Amy Barstool After Single

I used a stencil from cuttingedgestencils.com and the paint is from turtlefeathers.net and is called Angelus Paint. It is made especially for painting leather (it has a bit of give to it and won’t crack). Since the chairs came unassembled I decided to leave them that way to make it a little easier to stencil. I was amazed at how easy the process was – total time was only about 4 hours. 

Amy Barstool During

I loved that I could pick out the exact style and colors I wanted for these chairs – a custom chair at a very cheap price! I bought the chairs 2 for $152 from overstock then add in the $80 in materials and my total cost is $384 for four bar stools ($96 each)! To have these stools custom upholstered in a fabric of my choice would have cost a lot more than that and they would have been ruined so quickly. I am hoping this painted leather alternative means they will stand the test of time and three boys! – Amy

Amy Barstool After Triple

Awesometown, right? You can check out more details over on Amy’s blog. Is anyone else’s head filling with ideas of what else they could stencil? And look at that pretty kitchen in the background. Me-ow.

Update: We just learned that there are some follow up posts about a few pitfalls with these chairs (specifically she wasn’t happy with the quality of the chairs themselves or the acrylic finisher that she used), so more details can be found here and here. Although Amy did drop in to say the actual stenciling process really works and some other chairs that have been stenciled (of better quality) are holding up great (without any acrylic finisher). Hope it helps!

More posts from Young House Love

Filed Under: Reader Redesigns

Sure, Let’s Hang A Retro Pendant Light In The Closet
Dealing With Criticism

Comments

  1. Avatar for TiffanyTiffany says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    What a flippin great idea! Well done :)

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Melanie @ Mailbox JourneyMelanie @ Mailbox Journey says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    Those look amazing! Off to check out her blog. :)

    Reply
  3. Avatar for heyruthieheyruthie says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    nice range hood too ;-)

    Reply
  4. Avatar for Julia @ Chris loves JuliaJulia @ Chris loves Julia says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    The yellow detail was genius. Amazing and inspiring indeed!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for Whitney DupuisWhitney Dupuis says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    Wow, they are beautiful and so unique!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for Maureen @ This (Kinda) Old HouseMaureen @ This (Kinda) Old House says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    This looks amazing! Grey + Yellow is one of my favorite color combos right now. So elegant and fun all at the same time! Nice work!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for LeahLeah says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    Love Reader Redesigns! This is a great project.

    Just wanted to let you know that you mention early in the post that the project took 14 hours, but the reader said it took 4.

    Love this blog! :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 26, 2012 at 2:38 pm

      Oh no, I said it DIDN’T take 14 hours (because that’s how long our stencil process took). Haha. So yes, four is much better!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for LeahLeah says

      January 27, 2012 at 10:46 am

      My bad! Sometimes I read too quickly – I got it now! :)

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 27, 2012 at 11:05 am

      So glad!

      xo,
      s

  8. Avatar for Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication[email protected] says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    Amazing! I absolutely am in love with these!

    Reply
  9. Avatar for AllynAllyn says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    Love this! I’m thinking of stenciling some lamp shades in our living room. Well, first I thought of spray painting, but I’m afraid it would block too much light. Stenciling a small design might be better.

    Reply
  10. Avatar for Amy @ The Button CasaAmy @ The Button Casa says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    Oh.My! My wheels are turning already and I’m trying to figure out where I could put chairs like that. Love it!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for Anna HernandezAnna Hernandez says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    Great stalls! Even better ending from John. Me-ow! Tapping into your feminin side!? ;)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 26, 2012 at 2:58 pm

      Haha, that man loves him a good-lookin’ kitchen.

      xo,
      s

  12. Avatar for Kim DunnKim Dunn says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    Great idea! And I have to say, I laughed out loud when I read the ‘Me-ow’ line. I literally scrolled up to double check that it was John writing since that sounded like something Sherry would write!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for LizLiz says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    I now own a stencil. And I have a wall. And now I have the courage. So pretty :)

    Reply
  14. Avatar for EliseElise says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    Wow! LOVE it!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for Mamaw03TMamaw03T says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    Those are GREAT! Love it!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for heather s.heather s. says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    If you read her blog, she doesn’t recommend the chairs she used. The ones from Overstock had issues so she’s now trying this out with some from Target. Just FYI in case anyone wants to try this themselves.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 26, 2012 at 3:43 pm

      Thanks for the tip Heather S! Just added an update about that.

      xo,
      s

  17. Avatar for GreenInOCGreenInOC says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    I was aghast – why would anyone ruin those perfectly beautiful stools?!

    Then I scrolled down.

    My jaw is still on the floor! Beautiful!!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for MaryMary says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:00 pm

    Those are so pretty! And when I saw the final photo my first thought was… That wooden hood cover makes me so excited to see yours when it is all finished!

    I think I read your blog too much. :)

    Reply
  19. Avatar for Krystle @ ColorTransformedFamilyKrystle @ ColorTransformedFamily says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:01 pm

    The chairs are beautiful! I didn’t even know you could paint leather… such a great idea. I love reader redesign.

    Reply
  20. Avatar for Amanda / Bulldrogs and BulldogsAmanda / Bulldrogs and Bulldogs says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:01 pm

    These look incredible! Such an inspiring DIY project! I’ve been thinking more and more about adding stencil projects to our home. Now I am definitely going to!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for Robin @ Our Semi Organic LifeRobin @ Our Semi Organic Life says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:01 pm

    this is very inspiring!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for LindsayLindsay says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    did john seriously just end his post with ‘me-ow?!” haha.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 26, 2012 at 3:43 pm

      Haha, the man’s letting it all hang out today.

      xo,
      s

  23. Avatar for Vidya @Whats Ur Home StoryVidya @Whats Ur Home Story says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    Sorry for being a spoil sport. Really loved the idea but……I was reading through the Casablanca project blog. In a later post, http://casablancatransformation.blogspot.com/2011/11/good-bad-and-ugly.html
    she mentioned that the chairs or the paint are not holding up well. I think you should have put in a disclaimer of some sort.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Vidya @Whats Ur Home StoryVidya @Whats Ur Home Story says

      January 26, 2012 at 3:16 pm

      I re-read the post again. It is the acrylic finisher that is chipping off not the paint. My bad…

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 26, 2012 at 3:31 pm

      So sorry, we just got this submission and shared it! Didn’t know about that! Will add an update to the bottom right now!

      xo,
      s

  24. Avatar for SaraSara says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    Very cool & Impressive.

    Reply
  25. Avatar for Lindsey RockersLindsey Rockers says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    Awesome! Btw… This is definitely do-able on regular fabric too. I haven’t used a stencil for it before, but I have taped out a striped design and spray painted it. After taping, I sprayed with some of Rustoleum’s Crystal Clear Enamel, to give me clean lines and keep things from bleeding. Turned out awesome and hasn’t given me any problems with coming off or cracking or anything.

    I bet your wheels are spinning with your dining room chair covers! I know that color of brown you’ve got going on right now can’t be doing it for ya!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 26, 2012 at 3:44 pm

      Wow- so much fun!

      xo,
      s

  26. Avatar for erinerin says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    Just an FYI to everyone who read this post and is running out to buy stools and paint:

    Look at ALL of the author’s blog post entries on painting stools. She ended up having to send those particular stools back, was unhappy with the finisher she used, and had some trouble with later similar projects that she tried. Just be sure to read everything so you can get ALL of her advice! :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 26, 2012 at 3:31 pm

      Great tip! We just got this submission so we don’t have a way to link to all of that but I’ll post an update at the bottom for everyone!

      xo,
      s

  27. Avatar for AmyAmy says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:22 pm

    What a fun surprise to visit your blog today and see my barstools! Thanks for the feature and kind comments – especially the Me-ow! By the way at the top of the post you called my blog “The Casablanca Project” and I am kicking myself that I didn’t think of that title – I like it a lot better than the one I thought up!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 26, 2012 at 3:30 pm

      Aw man, sorry about that. Haha. All fixed!

      xo,
      s

  28. Avatar for SarahWSarahW says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    Those are awesome!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for MJMJ says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    Just so people thinking about this project know, she posts two follow ups regarding how poorly the chairs held up and their eventual return to Overstock:

    http://casablancatransformation.blogspot.com/2011/11/good-bad-and-ugly.html

    http://casablancatransformation.blogspot.com/2011/11/barstool-saga-continues.html

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 26, 2012 at 3:36 pm

      Thanks so much for those links! We just learned about that and have added an update to the bottom of the post with those links for folks to check out!

      xo,
      s

  30. Avatar for Mary LouMary Lou says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    These are absolutely amazingly awesome!! Oh, earlier I saw these stools and thought immediately of the ones you guys got, http://makr.com/#product=swivel-studio-work-stool-pale-gray, but that price tag! wowzers!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 26, 2012 at 3:42 pm

      Ooh I love those!

      xo,
      s

  31. Avatar for Kelly MKelly M says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    Oh my gosh those chairs look amazing! And she is right, I am so glad that she was daring enough to try it!

    Reply
  32. Avatar for SarahWSarahW says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    Awesome! Those look so great!

    Reply
  33. Avatar for Heidi P.Heidi P. says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:40 pm

    I just gasped out loud. So beautiful.

    Reply
  34. Avatar for KelseyKelsey says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:43 pm

    I LOVE the idea but probably would have chosen a pattern that had a horizontal element to incorporate those seams. Still, a great redo!!

    Reply
  35. Avatar for GregGreg says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:50 pm

    We are just getting ready to stencil a wall thanks to you guys. Can’t wait to get it done and crossed off the list.

    Reply
  36. Avatar for Lexy @ The Proper PinwheelLexy @ The Proper Pinwheel says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    These look beautiful! I’m so sad to hear they aren’t lasting. Darn Overstock. :(

    We are currently house-sitting so my desire to go crazy with decor and get my DIY on has been muted. Keep these posts coming! Great inspiration for the day we get our own home!

    Reply
  37. Avatar for Amy @ CasablancaAmy @ Casablanca says

    January 26, 2012 at 4:10 pm

    Although it is true the barstool itself didn’t hold up well, please be assured the paint did hold up great!!! I still recommend this project. My brother and Sister’s chairs have been just fine. So just make sure you have a good quality chair before you go to the work of stenciling it, and I wouldn’t worry about using the acrylic finisher at all. My brother’s chairs have no acrylic finish on them and the paint is holding up just fine on its own. Thanks for all the kind comments!
    Amy at Casablanca

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 26, 2012 at 5:01 pm

      So good to know Amy! Thanks!!

      xo,
      s

  38. Avatar for Kristen @ Popcorn on the StoveKristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says

    January 26, 2012 at 4:18 pm

    It’s a bummer Amy has some problems with the chairs & the paint but the idea is awesome! I have an extra cloth slip cover and it could be a lot of fun to try this.

    Reply
  39. Avatar for MelanieMelanie says

    January 26, 2012 at 4:26 pm

    Love it! I love cutting edge stencils, I have bought three from them!!

    Reply
  40. Avatar for Ashley @ DesignBuildLoveAshley @ DesignBuildLove says

    January 26, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    totally GORGEOUS! Definitely one of my absolute favorite bar stool makeovers ever! :)

    Reply
  41. Avatar for KayKay says

    January 26, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    Never mind the chairs (.. although they are DIVINE) I want to get a better look at that fierce kitchen!

    Reply
  42. Avatar for Dream Day Cakes®Dream Day Cakes® says

    January 26, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    Love this. Trying to think of what we can stencil around here. =)

    Reply
  43. Avatar for VickiVicki says

    January 26, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    WOW! These are aaaaaaamazing. Takes cajones to paint on a pretty white chair like that!

    Reply
  44. Avatar for Megan @ Two Live ColorfullyMegan @ Two Live Colorfully says

    January 26, 2012 at 5:08 pm

    oh. my. goodness! These are incredible! The makeover looks like a million bucks! Save!

    Reply
  45. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    January 26, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    Beautiful job!

    Reply
  46. Avatar for kristikristi says

    January 26, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    What?! Shut the front door. Those are AWE-SOME!

    Reply
  47. Avatar for joyjoyjoyjoy says

    January 26, 2012 at 6:27 pm

    What a great update! Such a simple idea with lots of wow factor in the result. Love the colors, too.

    Reply
  48. Avatar for Mary @ stylefylesMary @ stylefyles says

    January 26, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    wow. yes – great work! I was seriously looking at the first photo wondering if it was the before or after (because seriously, the white stools were great as is), but the stenciling is just phenomenal! Love it!

    Reply
  49. Avatar for lauralaura says

    January 26, 2012 at 8:18 pm

    Those look SO AMAZING! What a great idea. I think stenciling wood chairs would look fabulous too. Anyone try this already?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 26, 2012 at 9:00 pm

      Love that idea! Anyone have pics for Laura?

      xo,
      s

  50. Avatar for JennyJenny says

    January 26, 2012 at 9:02 pm

    Wow! I love these, and the pattern she chose as well! Clicking over to her blog now, I am in love with her kitchen!! ;)

    Reply
Newer Comments »

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
*This site contains ads and affiliate links*
See our disclaimer & privacy policy to learn more

Latest Finds

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

SHOP OUR LIGHTING

Young House Love Shades Of Light Capiz Chandelier

GET POSTS BY EMAIL

We’re Digging

Traditional Rug
The “Magic” Rug
Smokeless Solo Stove Firepit
Smokeless Firepit
Woven Storage Ottoman
Storage Ottoman
Subtle Pink Rug
Our Bedroom Rug
Blue Air 211 Air Purifier
Our Air Purifiers
Faux Potted Olive Tree
Faux Olive Tree
Kohler Memoirs Toilet
Our Favorite Toilet
Soft Striped Rug
Soft Striped Rug
SEE MORE OF OUR FAVORITE FINDS > >

  • About
  • FAQs
  • Press
  • Contact
  • :)

© 2023 Young House Love ® · Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · A Fun Wordpress theme on Genesis Framework · Hosted by Liquid Web