This is another post John tried to nickname “Stool Boom” (here’s why John likes that name). A while back I refurbished a stool that arrived unexpectedly in the mail. I spruced it up and sent it on — more about that surprise delivery in a bit. First, here’s how I transformed it.
This is a rough before shot: imagine an old, weathered periwinkle-blue stool with loose nails, holes and a rotting wooden top.
The first step was removing the old nails with the back of a hammer. It cleared the surface and made the top ready for repairs.
I primed the stool and painted it a rich navy (I used a small test pot of Benjamin Moore’s Santa Monica Blue). The photos make the color look brighter than it actually is — in person it reads as a deep navy, not a neon blue. After two coats and proper drying time, I moved on to reupholstering the seat.
I used leftover loft batting from a previous project and a piece of fabric I already had on hand — econo-friendly and budget-wise. Upcycling scraps like this keeps costs down and reduces waste. So far, I’d spent $3 on paint for someone else’s stool.
To finish the upholstery cleanly and add a decorative touch, I bought two small boxes of decorative nail heads. They were inexpensive and gave the stool a polished look.
To attach the batting and fabric, I cut each layer about two inches larger than the stool top, pulled the excess down and folded the edges under for a neat seam. Then I tapped the nail heads into place about every two inches, using a 2″ piece of cardboard as a spacer to keep the spacing consistent. It was simple, methodical work — about thirty taps per side got the job done.
After finishing all four sides I had a cute little stool that wasn’t mine to keep. Total cost for materials: about $6.58. The photos still play tricks with the color, but the real-life finish is a sophisticated, rich navy.
Here’s a full side shot so you can see the final proportions — this is the photo I meant to take as the true “before” so the transformation would be clearer.
I admit I got a little attached — I hugged it, kissed it, and then lovingly sent it off. Yes, that felt oddly sentimental.
The stool wasn’t for our home, though. It was a contribution to Do It Yourself magazine’s winter issue, part of a feature where bloggers received surprise items in the mail to makeover. The magazine styled my stool beautifully, even adding yarn in the shots to emphasize a crafty vibe (despite the fact we don’t own much yarn at home).
Our regular Q&A column, “He Said, She Said,” doesn’t typically include furniture makeovers, so this stool was part of a separate article showcasing several bloggers’ surprise projects. The feature included talented makers such as Style Me Pretty, Centsational Girl, Jen Geigley, Renegade Handmade, and Lori Andrews. I loved seeing the variety of transformations, like Style Me Pretty’s clever two-tiered table turned cake stand.
Here’s the magazine’s image of my little stool makeover — I was thrilled with how they photographed and styled it. The fabric I used might look familiar: it’s the same print we used for Clara’s weekly photo project because the watery pattern makes her look like she’s swimming in some of the pictures.
That fabric also made enough yardage for a quilt and a birthday banner I sewed previously, and there was still enough left over for this surprise stool makeover. It’s a good reminder that sensible fabric choices can be used across multiple projects — from quilts to upholstery to banners.
What furniture have you refreshed lately? Have you tried painting, reupholstering, or adding decorative nail heads to a small piece? If you’re working with kids’ props or playful fabrics, go with what makes everyone happy — even if it’s just a tiny stool that brightens a corner of the room.
Psst — we might be biased, but this video of Clara singing a medley of songs is the cutest thing ever. That girl loves to sing!