Sunday, July 8, 2012

Yardstick Stool Makeover, Pinterest Inspired!

photo (13)
This is the before pic!  Lovely, huh?  This baby was only $2 and I knew that I could do some thing cool with it…yup, last summer I thought that.  So it sat and sat in the garage, minding its own business for the past year.  Did I mention it has been out there for a year waiting for me to make it wonderful??
100_4857
For some reason I thought I needed to replace the seat with a round seat.  I looked all over, even bought a few round precut pieces of wood, thinking they would fit.  That was a big fat negative!  They always looked right in the hardware/DIY store but when I got them home, not so much.
photo (2)
So anyway, I thought I would get out there in the garage and beat the heat.  Hmmm, that didn’t work.  91 stifling degrees before 10am!  I had seen this stool on Pinterest  pinned from ThistleWood…and thought hmmmm…I could do my stool that way! 
So that is what I set out to do…I looked all over town for some vintage, well used yardsticks.  I came up with not one even after three junk/vintage/antique shops. So I decided to use these…
100_4842
They were cheap and could be found easily.  I bought a few more than I actually needed, just in case of mistakes.  I wanted to add some color to the top since I had decided to use a black hammered metal spray paint on the base of the stool.
100_4894I used a yellow and a few shades of blue and some reds.  I mixed the paints using acrylic craft paints and a brown metallic glaze, so each color is unique. 
100_4912
I bought a 2 x 12 x 6 foot board to use for the seat.  It was a perfect fit.  I had the store where I bought the board cut it down for me to an 11.5 inch square. 
100_4910
I arranged the colors and styles of yardsticks in a pleasing order…
100_4915
and this is what I ended up with.  I trimmed the yardsticks to fit the board and then glued them to the board, letting them set overnight. 
photo
Meanwhile this is the temp…and I dropped the board (remember it is 2 x 12 inches  x 6 feet) on my right foot…ouch!
100_4948
Meanwhile, I had sanded and painted the stool base with Rustoleum Hammered Metal in black. 
100_4904 
I did about 3-4 light coats….until I was happy with the finish.  The hammered finishes are very forgiving, eliminating imperfections in the finish.
100_4923
100_4920
I used a barnwood grey glaze from Valspar for the top, let it dry and applied two coats of satin lacquer.
100_4922
I am very pleased with the end result…
100_4929
I love the muted colors of the seat and the black legs together. 
100_4930
I initially bought this for my son’s room, but now I am thinking it will look great downstairs in the living room.
100_4935
That year long wait in the garage was worth it, although I should have tackled it earlier!
100_4938
100_4937
Have I mentioned that I really like the end product here?
100_4978
Looks good in my living room…
100_4983
I love the rugged edges…
100_4982
I am linking to these great parties!
I am also linking to the Summer Pinterest Challenge at Young House Love!

TDC Before and After
Signature

68 comments:

A Daughter of the King said...

Oh Ellen! I love this!

Julie Jordan Scott said...

This is awesome. I want to copy it...I love when repurposing turns out soooo excellently!

I am visiting from Moms Monday Mingle plus I am your newest fan on facebook.

Woot Woot!

Unknown said...

Great idea! So cute!

Osage Bluff Quilter said...

SWEET!

Ann @ Corner of Plaid and Paisley said...

This is really cute! Nice job! It looks great!

thistlewoodfarm said...

You did a wonderful job! I think I love your version even better!

Have a blessed and wonderful day!
karianne

Kristina @ ReMadeSimple said...

great transformation! love the dyed effect on the yard sticks!

Pocketful Of Dreams said...

Stopped by from Mom's Mingle Monday. That is the cutest idea using the rulers! Love itl :) New follower!

Erika said...

What a beautiful stool it turned out, I love the idea of the rulers, it looks really awesome, well done.

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi! You did so great job! Great idea for the cover and with all that careful painting you made it so wonderful!

Terriea Kwong said...

Ellen, how awesome you've turned it out to such lovely and practical stool ! Know there're heat waves. See your pretty feet look like relaxing in the heat.

Danni@SiloHillFarm said...

You are a genius Ellen! I love this!

Emily said...

The grey glaze really brings the whole piece together nicely :-) Thank you for sharing!
Hopping over from the Knick of Time blog hop and your newest follower! Be sure to follow back :-)

Emily
www.emilysummers-desigenr.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Well done!
This is very cool-I'm always on the hunt for old yard sticks, and I love how you colored these new ones with a vintage/rustic touch!

Anonymous said...

PS- I found you on the blog hop and am a new follower! Great blog!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely FANTASTIC!

Angie @ Knick of Time said...

That stool turned out fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing it at the Knick of Time Tuesday Blog Hop!!

Don't forget to come back later today to enter the 1st of my week-long giveaways!

Blessings,
Angie @ Knick of Time

Terrie R. said...

It was well worth the wait! You did a great job and I love that you used the yard sticks. Thanks for sharing!
~ Terrie (your new follower)

Anonymous said...

Love Love anything with yardsticks and rulers. This turned out amazing! I may just have to make one of my own. Thanks for sharing. Found you via blog hop and am now a new follower!

Unknown said...

WOW....love this transformation. I love the use of yard sticks.....so creative! :D

Unknown said...

WOW....love this transformation. I love the use of yard sticks.....so creative! :D

jaime ♥ raising up rubies said...

very cute!! yay for yardsticks!
♥ much love

My Dream Canvas said...

I absolutely love this!!! I would love for you to visit me at My Dream Canvas.Have a great week.

Mary said...

Very cute! You were very successful in achieving the vintage look. I could BUY that. I just couldn't make it from MY yardsticks. LOL

I collect yardsticks. So, you would have no problem finding vintage yard sticks in my house but if you cut up one of my yardsticks, I would beat you with the pieces! At least that is what I tell my sons.



Thanks for sharing.

chateau chic said...

Your yardstick table/stool turned out soooo CUTE!!
I love it.
Mary Alice

Tobeystrashortreasure said...

I love the stool, I have been collecting yard sticks to do this kind of project. I know what you mean about them being hard to find. I may use your ruler idea instead of waiting to have enough. You did a great job, it looks fantastic.

Niki said...

Love it! Very nice especially since the heat was not your friend.

Between Blue and Yellow said...

Adorable, I love it! You did a great job :)

Anonymous said...

So pretty... love it!

~Danielle

Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . . said...

This looks fantastic! I'm so excited to know that I can still make a yardstick project without having a collection of vintage yardsticks. The paint completely transformed the rulers - you'd never know!

Cassie Bustamante said...

WOW! it's perfect! i love the fun colors!

Unknown said...

This is fantastic!!! Have to try this one day - love love love it!
And definitely your newest follower - would love to have you visit and follow back:)

Ann said...

What a fantastic stool. The colors make it!

Rosine said...

It's great!!!

Rosine ♥♥♥

Jenna said...

I've always coveted those yard stick projects floating around blogland... great job on yours!

Lindsey Ralls said...

This is beautiful! Great job.

Ethereal PLUS what I Love said...

Love how this turned out!
Francine

Connie Nelson said...

It turned out beautiful! Sorry you dropped it on your foot though, ouch? And your weather temps! My gosh how are you getting by? By the way you are also eligilble to link up at my Say It Saturday if you are intersested. Love your work.

KendasCrafts said...

Looks great! what a fun idea!

Michelle Walker said...

I love that - like a lot!!!
Mxoxoox

Jen Lossing, Artistic Abode Designs said...

I love this. What a great way to upcycle!

Little City Farm said...

Sorry about your toe - love the ruler top though. What a cute idea.

Meg@MegaCrafty said...

Really cute makeover. I love how you aged the rulers! Hope your foot is feeling better.

Melanie @ bear rabbit bear said...

Love it! Thanks for linking up this week!

Anonymous said...

Love, love love it! I have an old step stool that has three tiers and I've been thinking about what to do with it...this might work. Thanks for the inspiration!

Antonella said...

I absolutely love the way you stained and added the rulers!!! What a great idea!!! I followed your link and am also participating at The Answer is Chocolate - Open House Link Party... check out my post here: http://quilling.blogspot.com/2012/07/fabulous-friday-share-memories-freebies.html
Hugs, Antonella :-)

Joselyn @ The DIY Spot said...

Love it! You gave it vintage appeal. I have been looking for vintage yardsticks to cover a desk top, but like you unable to find any. This is a great idea!

Heidi@OneCreativeMommy.com said...

I have this pinned on pinterest, too. I love yours! Wow! I love the stenciling! I'm hosting a linky party "One Creative Weekend" at OneCreativeMommy.com. I'd love for you to visit and link up this idea and/or anything else you'd like to share.

I have a desk trimmed with yardsticks. I think I may have to try aging them. Yours looks so cool!

Funky Junk Interiors said...

LOVE this project! Your photos and tutorial were both awesome too! How you added some colour to your yardsticks is clever!

Shared on FJI Facebook and pinned for SNS 143. :)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151051705461141&set=a.192514281140.164586.175378011140&type=1&theater

Donna

The Prudent Pantry said...

Wow! That turned out gorgeous.

I would love it if you would share this at my new Smart Solutions linky party. You can link up here:

http://theprudentpantryblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/prudent-projects-smart-solutions-linky_13.html

Have a great day!

I Gotta Try That said...

So creative I love it!!! I am now following you on linky and GFC. I would love for you to visit, follow back and maybe even link up on my Monday linky party.
Thanks
Marcie @ www.IGottaTryThat.com

Fonda @Southern Scraps said...

Amazing! Definitely worth the year's wait.

Beth said...

It looks fabulous! I've been looking for yardsticks to do some kind of project that's similar. Some of mine are not that old looking either & was thinking about giving them a tint of color myself. I love how yours turned out, so I know now I'll go forward with coloring! Thanks for the inspiration!

Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon Designs said...

This is so amazing! Totally worth the pain on your toe! Thanks for sharing with us!

Take care,

Trish

Unknown said...

You are Amazing! I swear.. everything you touch turns into something Beautiful! Wish I could feature you every week! (but it wouldn't be fair)
xoxo
Amie @ Pinkapotamus

Sara said...

You braved through the heat and got her done!! I love that you gave it an old rustic feel and the colors are so perfect!

paulette said...

Thanks so much for sharing your idea!! Now I am on the hunt for an old stool!! Can't wait!!
P

Toodie said...

Absolutely love, love, love!!! Thanks for the inspiration!

The CSI Girl said...

This is so fabulous! Love it! This would be great linked up to the CSI Project this week. The challenge is Refashions/upcycles. Come by all week for tutorials and then come link up starting Wednesday!
You just might win!
www.thecsiproject.com

Unknown said...

This looks so awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Be sure to check out my latest post on my Husband the Barter King: http://marriedfilingjointly.blogspot.com/2012/07/barter-king.html

very merry vintage style said...

It's gorgeous! Great tutorial too, I think I could do this! Beautiful colors--Your featured this week on Share the Love Wednesday at Very Merry Vintage Style. Stop by and grab a feature button!
Mary

Perfect Imperfections by Jeanne said...

Great Job! I love the muted, aged colors.

Bonnie said...

Love how it turned out! Looks so good! Great job

Pam @Threading My Way said...

Very, very clever seeing the potential in that old stool!!! Looks awesome!!!

Crystelle said...

WOW!!!! That stool is adorable!!!!
Sorry about your foot....

Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things} said...

I love how the stool turned out!! :)
Thank you so much for sharing @ {nifty thrifty sunday}! You will be featured at this week's party!
xo! Vanessa

Anonymous said...

I noticed that you said you should have done this last summer - but it wouldn't have been THIS stool if you had. I this you did a wonderful job and at just the right time in your life - and the life of the stool. At almost 70 years old, I have finally learned to stop beating myself up. Maybe that's why my garage is full of projects that I will get to someday!!

Laurel@ChippingwithCharm said...

Looks great! I have a stash of rulers waiting to be "played" with...love what you did :)