Thrift Shop Re-Do - Sitting Stool

Hey again!  One more for ya on this rainy Saturday.   This project actually was done in a series of steps, but just completed this morning.   I never, NEVER seem to have a chunk of time more than an hour long available to me at once.  

First I want to thank you guys for all of your comments.  They definitely keep me inspired to continue with my little "decorating on the cheap" journey.  I also want to welcome all my new followers!   I am so, so pleased and honored that you've joined and hope to have many inspiring posts over the next little while.

Anyways, on a trip to the thrift store a couple weeks ago, I came across an adorable little stool.   

Along with a candle holder and box, but that's for later...

Needed some work, clearly, and it also seems like it started life as a tall stool that somebody cut down.   But no matter, there was something appealing about it and guess what?   Six Dollars.   Six!  That's it!  You cannot buy a stool at Walmart for six dollars I don't think.   Well, maybe you can, but then what on earth would I do with my rainy Saturdays??

I plan to have this little guy downstairs in the kitchen or the room off the kitchen or the entry way, or maybe even to bring into the family room if extra seating is needed.  I have too many options sometimes.   So the color had to be black.

I spray painted him up. 

First step, make sure it's a nice day, so that this does not happen.

Then find a nice open spot outdoors, spread out an old blanket (or something) and find yourself a cute helper...

This step is not necessary.   This particular cute helper got bored after about 5 minutes and retired indoors to watch SpongeBob.   To each his own.

I basically just used my trusty can of Valspar Black (I used a flat, not a glossy.   Why?  I couldn't tell you.)  and sprayed him all up.

When one coat was dry(ish) I flipped him onto his head and sprayed the underparts.

Let him dry in the sun for a bit.

I like it alot better already!

I decided that since I didn't prime or sand, or anything else that is recommended before painting, that I would show A Touch More Love by spraying one last coat of a protective sealer.

To be honest, it did not make a bit of difference that I could SEE.  But it did make me feel better.

So this is how things were this morning....

Being a bit of an idiot inexperienced with recovering furniture (even the small stool variety) I had wondered how to make the top a comfy place to sit.   A nice lady at the fabric store suggested just some plain old batting that could be shaped for an underlayment and then fabric on top.

Perfect!   I chose the remnants of the same fabric that was used on my window mistreatments.

That way if it is in the kitchen, it looks more at home.   Somehow it's changed from a "him" to an "it".  Did you notice that too??!  :0

Okay, I have neither tools, experience, brains, or a staple gun, so I again relied on The Magic of Glue.

Fabritac for this project again, to be exact.

I basically guesstimated the amount of batting and fabric that would be needed.   I went extra on the batting, because I wanted an actual "cushiony" feel.  

Cut it all with plain old scissors and then went about putting it together.

I initially did this with the stool right side up, but it turned out much easier (duh) to turn it upside down.

Did a bit more trimming just to make sure there wasn't a ton of overhang.   And what I did was basically put the fabric on the bottom (right side down), then the batting on top of that, then the stool on top of THAT.  Something like the picture above.  Actually, EXACTLY like the picture above.

I glued a little hem along the edges of the fabric, just to make it look neat.  Because don't we always get people that come into our homes and proceed to peer underneath all the furniture to make sure things are neat?   That's what I thought.

I did one side first.  Just wrapped him all up like a present.

And worked my way around.

Oh!  I almost forgot.   Make SURE that you have really sophisticated and "fancy" tools at your disposal to hold everything down while the glue is drying....

My personal favorite is the Chip Clip.   So many uses.

Followed closely by.....

A Small Box Of Heavy Things.   This holds everything in place very well also.

Despite me and Chippy's best efforts, it's still not THE absolute neatest job in the world.   But, remember - this part will be on the underside.   And I don't think people REALLY come to your home to look under furniture.   Just sayin'.

Here's a view from the top looking down.  Or the bottom looking up (it's still upside down)

And, I think he's done!    All dressed up and ready to meet the rest of the house...

I'm sure this will more around ALOT (most of my small furnishings do) but for right now it's in between my Kitchen and my Room That Is Next To My Kitchen.

Just for a fun look, I also tried it with a band of black trim along the edges.   Can you tell it's even there??  

It is ingeniously held on by.....

Tada!  Glue dots.   This is probably ANOTHER practice that is not generally recommended, but it will suffice for now.  That way, when I don't like the trim, or want to change the trim - I can just pull it right off again!   Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy.

The queen likes it too.  

 I had so much fun with this project!  I'm really happy with how it came out - even though I didn't quite have the foggiest clue what I was doing.   And I'd love to hear what you think!  I'd also love to hear about any projects that seemed overwhelming and just a little scary, and how it all turned out for you.

Ta for now!

Smiles and Hugs,
Joyce