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August 02, 2011

Don't throw that old stool out! Make it into a table instead...

I mean, isn't that obvious?

Ok...so maybe not.
But I was super proud of myself for doing it.

We had this awful rickety little round table that sat next to the hubs recliner.
It was the right size.
But ick. It shook and wobbled...
and was the cheapest thing ever.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for cheap furniture and re-working it...
but this thing was just sad.
I think I got it for ten dollars (and that was brand new, guys)

So when I finally had enough...
I started looking around my garage to see if anything, anything at all, would work.
Really... anything was up for grabs... crates, stacked wood...
I was desperate for a solution.

Does that happen to you?
All of a sudden, something bugs you so bad that it has to be fixed right. then.

Then I had an 'aha' moment when I found the little abandoned stool...


We got it from my parents when we first moved in and hubby used it to set his laptop on.
I know, classy, huh?
And it's gotten it's share of paint, too.
It was involved in painting all the rooms :)

So I grabbed it and set the top from the yuck, rickety table on it
and it was a match made in heaven.

I sanded the wooden top down to it's bare wood- it was the only solid piece on that thing.
Then I gave the top a good coat of espresso brown.

While that dried, I found some scrap pieces of wood leftover from my California signs.
Pretty sure fate was with me that day because I found two that fit perfectly.
No cutting required- how insane is that?
If you do need to cut them to size, a miter saw would have done it easily.

I about jumped up and down when it all started coming together.


After the top dried, I used wood glue to adhere it right to the wooden stool top.
Yup, that varnish is holdin' it down good.

While that dried, I sprayed the bottom and underside of the stool with heirloom white.
I liked the idea of contrasting the top to the bottom.


The little 'shelf' pieces I found got a good sanding.
Then a coat of heirloom white.

I wanted them to have a smooth feel, so I gave them several coats of gloss lacquer.
This stuff is awesome but sticky to work with.
Be sure to either have a brush that is made for that kind of finish or use one you can just throw away.

The lacquer took a while to dry so while it was still somewhat tacky, I dry-brushed some of my espresso brown color into it.
It gave it a streaky, glazed look that was perfect :)

When it was all dry, it felt like glass.
Yum.


I flipped it over and gave the top a coat or two of lacquer as well...
and, well...

there she is!


What do you think?


I'm absolutely in love with this little table.
And no wobbling whatsoever.


The little shelves were attached with wood glue
or you could use a nail gun to attach them as well.
But the glue has held them firmly for several months.


I love the brown top contrasting with the white bottom half.
It was exactly the little table I was looking for.



It's the ultimate Cinderella story... rags to ball gown :)



So...what do you think about your old stools now?
Seriously...dont' throw them out.

They make perfect tables :)

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36 comments:

  1. What a great idea! I think I may have to try it:)

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  2. Looks awesome! And I'm intrigued by that little family "dice" shaped block. Did you post about that before? It's so cute!

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  3. Genius! Simple & cuuuute too! I LOVE IT!

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  4. Great repurpose! Visiting from weekend wrap up!

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  5. Wow, your stool table is so simple, yet so unique and beautiful! I haven't seen this anywhere in the blog-o-sphere and that can be hard to say! I would love for you to link your post up at my Savvy HomeMade blog party on Monday at HomeSavvyAtoZ.com.

    P.S. I am a follower!

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  6. Love this! Super easy, but so chic!
    :) Saw you on Craftomaniac!!
    Maureen
    http://www.releasemecreations.com

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  7. Very cool solution! Love how you found the wood for the shelves--fate! :)

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  8. I love that little family block, it's super cute:)

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  9. LOVE this idea.
    great upgrade.
    thanks for sharing - great inspiration.
    cheryl xox.

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  10. Love it and will be featuring it tonight! Thanks for sharing.

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  11. What a great idea. There is always a need for a table this size in any room. I am going to the thrift store to look for a stool!
    Love your blog!

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  12. ok - now I'm on the hunt for these kinds of stools, because I have a perfect spot for this in my house. Unless you want to mail it to me? yes? no? ok - I'll keep my eye out for a stool! Great project and smart idea! Thanks for linking up to WWWW! I'm featuring your awesomeness today!

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  13. Little efforts can turn things around. The stool make-over is superb!!

    We have a link-up party going on - Tea Time Thursdays @ Kreative Korner. I would really appreciate if you'd link up some of your awesome posts there. Hope to see you at the party.

    http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/2011/08/tea-time-thursdays-2-and-features.html

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  14. great makeover! love it. I will feature this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com in the evening.

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  16. Um....I can't even put into words how much I LOVE THAT!!!

    I will be sharing a link to the tutorial on my blog this weekend!

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  17. What is that top, round piece? Was that originally on it? The stools Ive seen are w/o that piece so thats why Im confused if you bought that separately..

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  18. @Halojane... no the original stool looked like that first picture- with the blond wood top. The round top I attached to it was from another table I had. But you should also be able to purchase round pieces of wood from a hardware store like Lowes.

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  19. This is fantastic!! I pinned it and am making it a Darling in my Darling Day tomorrow!!

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  20. Great job of upcycling! You table looks so good and also sturdy!!!

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  21. Love, love, love! Who'd a thunk it! I love your innovation. I'm pulling my stool out of the flower bed right now!

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  22. Did you attach these together or just set shelves and top on?

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  23. Did you attach these together or just set shelves and top on?

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  24. Did you attach these together or just set shelves and top on?

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  25. Wonderful repurposing and refinishing! Come visit at my place some time where we "Keep it Simple, Folks. http://cjmai.blogspot.com It is a little bit of everything, including upcycling and refinishing furniture.

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  26. So funny!!! They match mine exactly!! We have a very very tall bed. Normal nightstands are way too short, the only difference is that I use 7"W - 14"L baskets and just set them on the bars underneath :-) looks great!!

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  27. I know this is an old post, but I just have to thank you so much for the inspiration, though mine isn't finished, you definitely "inspired" this! Would love to share an in progress picture or two? How would I go about doing that?

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  28. I still have the stool I cut the corner off accidentally when cutting a plank with an electric jigsaw, now I know what to do with it, thank you, and yours looks superb! Jessi

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  29. Love it! I had the same idea for a sit down table. I already have the large round piece, and an old stool I glued on the top on crookedly. I will paint it for the patio and my laptop! Ha ha, Jessie! I have a chair I lopped off. I thought I was the only one to use furniture for workbenches!

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