Like many of you I like to incorporate a decorating trend here and there throughout the year. Also like many of you, I realize there’s a fine line between embracing a trend and making the house look like I decorated it while wearing a blind fold. Know what I mean?!
I had these stools that I picked up at a garage sale a couple of weeks back, for a $1 each. Steal of a deal, even when taking into consideration how badly weathered one of them was!
Have you noticed the union jack pattern popping up all over blogland? I’ve especially seen it quite a bit on my BFF Pinterest. Never gave it much thought, but after seeing it painted on to furniture, I started to really like it!
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Except, I don’t think it would work too well in my house, AND I don’t know how long the trend will be around so I figured I can add it in in a subtle way and satisfy my new urge to embrace the union jack!
These cheap yet sturdy little garage sale stools were the perfect guinea pigs!
Here’s what I did:
1. Gathered all of my supplies.
2. Sanded these puppies down to raw wood. This was definitely a job for my good friend, the orbital sander, and it took a good hour on both to get them back to their intended state!
3. Painted the legs red with some left over sample paint originally used in my boy’s baseball dresser make over. Those little sample sizes can get you through quite a few projects! The color is Cherries Jubilee by Glidden.
4. Distressed the legs with a sanding block. I like them to look a little beat up!
5. Taped the seat of the stool in the union jack pattern, using my son’s Cars 2 puzzle as a guide (they go to London in the movie!)
6. Using a painting pen, I outlined the tape in white.
7. Brushed several coats of Minwax PolyShade stain in Walnut, and removed the tape.
8. Immediately brushed a couple of coats of the same stain over the entire seat. See how the white paint shows now? Love it!
9. I also used the stain on the legs as a glaze (I let the opened can sit out for a few hours to thicken it up), so that it created a worn look, and it served a sealer.
10. Let it dry completely (about 24 hours).
A trendy touch to my decor, yet so subtle that you almost miss it.
Mission accomplished!
They live under my kitchen island now:
Lovin’ how well they go with my most recent Big Lots find, the vintage looking Coca-Cola crate on the shelf up there, and the brick backsplash!
Also diggin’ the hints of red combined with the bold greys and greens in my kitchen/dining room combo!
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Not bad for a $2 investment!!
Have you upcycled anything from a garage or estate sale lately??
Love, Barbara
Traci Michele says
interesting! thanks for sharing.
found you over at WLWW and I’m following you now.
Thanks, Traci
Here’s my last post about depression: http://ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com/2012/04/whats-helping-me-during-season-of.html
Ashley @ Domestic Imperfection says
These look great! Funny that we did the same thing…I love the subtle rustic stain so much more than the brightly colored ones. And you can’t beat the price!
Stacey says
Your stools look great! Very pretty and what a bargain!
I would love if you stopped by my party to link them up. I would love to have you there!
Stacey of Embracing Change
http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com
I Play Outside The Box says
Those look ‘bloody’ good!! Found you over at MRL!
Chase the Star says
Thank you! They’re just the right size for my 2 boys so just as functional as bloody cute! haha!
Amy says
Great redo!! I like the subtlety of it…and that you did it all for $2! Sweet! Thanks for sharing at Shine on Fridays!
Chase the Star says
Thank you for stopping by Amy!
Justine says
Stopping by from the Finding New Friends Weekend Blog Hop! http://queenofsavings.com
Chase the Star says
Justine, thanks for the visit!
gail says
That’s my kind of price!!! You did such a great job, and I like the “transparency” of this project!
thanks for sharing @ catch as catch can!
gail
Chase the Star says
Thank ya! Love me a bargain!!
Katherines Corner says
$2 well done! I didn’t realize the Union Jack was a new way to decorate. It is my countries flag. Love it! Hugs and thank you for joining in the fun at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo
Chase the Star says
Katherine, thank you for stopping and for the follow! I am seeing the union jack everywhere, and I LOVE it! I featured a dresser re-do on Friday’s Fabulous Furniture Finds, check it out it’s great! Your country’s flag is way cool!
Stacey says
Lovely stools!
Great job!
Thanks for linking up to the Creative Inspirations Party at Embracing Change!
So happy you were here!
Stacey
Chris says
Hi Barbara, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is and also to let you know that I am now following you. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/
Chase the Star says
Thanks for stopping by Chris and for the follow!
harry fall says
Intersting and beautiful blog lovely presentation thanks for sharing your views…microsoft office xp
Rose Jesky says
I love how cute they turned out, you did a great job! Thanks for sharing this with us at the Sunday Round Up.
Rose @ http://www.arosiesweethome.com/
PS. You have a great blog and I’m now following, I like the proverb you shared on you banner.
Katie says
What a steal! I love how they turned out! That stain is so warm!!
Chase the Star says
Thanks Katie! I love your blog, by the way! On my way over there now:)
SusieQTpies says
WOW I LOVE how you did the stools! I found you through Michelle’s Party~
I’m also hosting one- Red, White and BLue- link up anything with those colors and Patriotic pictures, crafts and recipes!
I”d love for you to join in. Mine is also a contest and I will pin all post that link up on Pinterest!
Come join the fun! Susie
http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2012/05/link-up-anything-patriotic-25-amazon.html