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Stool Makeover: New Fabric And Paint

ByKathy Owen Updated on

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The thrift store stool I purchased last week for $7.99 has a new look. Fabric, spray paint, 55 minutes….done. The dark, drab, stool is fab now and I’m keeping it for myself.

pretty orange and cream fabric design

I lucked up on the pretty fabric while looking at fabric for another project. That’s the way it happens sometimes.

60 Minutes or less new fabric and paint

The upholstery fabric was on sale for $7 a yard. That’s a deal. I loved the color and the design.

thrift store stool

The stool needed a new paint job for sure. I like black iron but it was not the look I was going for.

someone used nails instead of staples

When I removed the padded seat from the frame and turned it over I noticed the fabric was not original to the stool. Someone had used nails, a bunch of nails, instead of staples to recover the seat. I decided to remove the extra layer of fabric.

removing fabric from a stool seat

It took a while to pull out all those nails. Please don’t recover a seat using nails.

Rustoleum spray paint in Heirloom satin for stool project

I used my favorite Rustoleum Heirloom Satin spray paint to cover the black frame.

putting new fabric on a padded stool seat

Then I used a stapler to cover the seat with the new fabric.

60 Minutes to update furniture with fabric and paint

I bought a yard of the fabric thinking I could use it for two or three seat recover jobs. Well, in order to place the design the way I liked best I ended up cutting right into the middle of the fabric. I’m pretty sure I can’t cover another chair seat with what is left but I might stretch some of the fabric over a canvas for wall art. The bird or the temple design either one would be pretty framed.

Before and After stool makeover with fabric and paint

The makeover was really simple. I’m serious about it taking less than an hour to transform the stool. I removed the seat and spray painted the frame. While the paint was drying I recovered the seat. I screwed the seat to the frame and done! It wouldn’t have taken an hour if I didn’t have to remove the second layer of fabric and all those nails.

Don’t be afraid to tackle projects similar to this one. Painting a chair and recovering the seat are the easiest makeovers and pack the biggest punch. Seriously.

Hope you have a great day and I’ll see you tomorrow.

Buy Rustoleum Heirloom Satin White Spray paint here  Find a Stapler here  (Amazon Affiliate links for your convenience. Info here.)

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Kathy founded the home decor blog Petticoat Junktion in 2011, where she shares tutorials on how to paint furniture and repurpose thrifty finds into unique home décor. Her DIY projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, The Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines.

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12 Comments

  1. I love the fabric and it is a great looking piece.

  2. Dixie Lee says:

    When you find a great deal on great fabric always buy a yard or two extra would be my tip. Does that come in other colors?

    Could you use the leftovers for a french memo board to hang above? to hold jewelry?

  3. Broken Bit Mosaics says:

    I love the fabric!

  4. When I first saw that stool I tho’t “Now why would she buy that ugly old thing?!” Well, just painting the frame white transformed it. And then adding that bright and pretty red fabric to the seat REALLY transformed it. Just goes to show you can’t judge a stool by it’s color! Nice job, Kathy!

  5. Lovely fabric. Great redo! Thanks for sharing.

  6. You did good, Kathy! Love the white frame and the orange fabric! Really pretty. It is much nicer in your colors than the old ones. Keep up the surprises!

  7. SONJA HANSEN says:

    Great make over. You can always use your extra pieces of that delightful fabric to make a quick bag if you don’t have an upholstery project that your pieces will fit.

  8. Fonda Rush says:

    Nice makeover, and white was definitely the way to go!

  9. Turned out so cute! I redid an Eastlake settee that someone had used bent nails on too….what the heck are people thinking?
    Marti

  10. Wonderful makeover. I would keep that too. Love that fabric.

  11. Marie|The Interior Frugalista says:

    Ooooh, I love the fabric, Kathy! It would totally make gorgeous art on the wall. Very pretty stool and the best kind of makeover – quick and easy. Pinned

  12. Lynda Ramage says:

    You are right. That fabric was a must have. The seat is lovely and I’m sure you will enjoy it for a long time. What a lucky find……