Sunday, July 3, 2011

Three Stools for Three Boys

Up until last fall, our kitchen island had really only been used for piling things. Mail, toys that were in a "time out", my calendar, etc.

Then one day, my friend Mollie called and said "I saw these 2 stools on the side of the road and thought maybe you could do something with them". She knows me so well! So I put them at our kitchen island...and they got lots of use. My hubs loves to sit and having his morning cereal at the island while reading his Ipad. The older 2 boys love to sit and color where their little brother can't ruin the creations they are working on.

But those 2 little stools were just kinda...blah. Functional, yes...but aesthetically pleasing? Notsomuch.

Exhibit A:
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Enter my dear friend Shayne had these three stools still hanging around after the tag sale last week. She asked me if I wanted them...as in, FREE. Yes please! I knew the day was coming that my 3rd little man would want to sit at the island with his brudders.

Here is one before the makeover...but picture a faux leopard print on the seat. I have no issue with leopard print, but it's chic, and my house isn't. I have 3 boys 5 1/2 and under. Not chic...believe me.
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Anyway, I've always loved the numbered stools I've seen in blogland, so I tried my hand at them. Sprayed with Heirloom white by Rustoleum, distressed and glazed with dark walnut stain. I traced a stencil and filled them in with black acrylic paint. Then I recovered the seats with dropcloth as we need something cheap and durable. Plus, I love the way it looks.

Here they are!
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Do you see what I see? Yeah..number one isn't finished. At all. Let's take a closer look at my first stencil attempt...
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Are you laughing yet? I am. I need to re-do number one in a bad way, so let's just focus on the 2 stools that did work out!
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Hope you are all having a wonderful 4th of July!!

~Allison

Linking up!
southern hospitality
Keeping It Simple
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
MakingTodays Creative Blog
Domestically Speaking
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15 comments:

Chrissie said...

Cute! I love the numbers!

Katie said...

Yes! I did laugh at your #1 because that is exactly what I would do too!! I love how they turned out - so much nicer than the old ones! Love 'em!

shayne said...

so happy to see their new incarnation! they are ready for many more good years with your babes! wow! if those stools could talk! BRAVO A!

Anonymous said...

Cute, cute, cute!

Stacey said...

Allison -
The stools are super cute and I love the numbers! I did this with some of my chairs and I love how it turned out! This seems perfect for your family! And wow...3 kids 5 and under!? You never cease to amaze me! Where of where do you get the time? People ask me that all the time! I just tell them I never sleep ;o)
Have a good 4th!
Stacey of Embracing Change

Cassie Bustamante said...

i think those are so cute! and the nice thing about paint is you can sand, paint over, and redo number one and it will be perfect! :)

Prudently Painted Vintage said...

I just love numbers! What is about them? Just add a couple numbers to some furniture and it's instantly cuter. Love what you did with the stools! I bet your boys are excited!

Debra said...

Cute!! I love numbers on things! I bet you would be the only one who would have noticed the #1 if you didn't mention it. I think we are way more critical about anything we do than anyoned else would be. :)

Debbiedoos said...

Very cute!

hilary@oldhousetruelove said...

i agree... very cute! : )

nicolette {momnivores dilemma} said...

Stenciling is tough the first time around {I still goof on it often and I was an art teacher in my pre SAHM life}...I loved that you kept it real and showed that #1 to us! Your 'about me' cracked me up...I lead an "boring life" as well, and love it.

If you have a moment today, please share this with my readers @Creative Juice Thursday Hope to see your stools among all the amazing projects!

Julie said...

Great re-do! Love the numbers as well!

Julia @ 551Eastdesign said...

So cute! I found you at Miss Mustard Seed. I love the stencils, little mess-ups are the story of my life sometimes:)

Noble Vintage said...

These turned out so cute! They look comfy with the backs. Thanks so much for linking up to Transformations and Treasures!

Korrie@RedHenHome said...

Love your new-to-you stools!