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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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March 20, 2012

How to customize a barstool

How To Customize a Bar Stool from www.atthepicketfence.com

I’ve been looking high and low for the perfect bar stool and finally decided it was time to take matters into my own hands! I headed off to one of my favorite stores, Garden Ridge.  It’s the mecca of cheap home imports…grin.

I loved the lines of this one…but the color not so much.

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It wasn’t bad, it just didn’t go with my new kitchen makeover.

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First, I started by priming and painting the legs using my go to color Copen Blue from Sherwin Williams. Next, I distressed the edges bringing back out some of the black and touching the edged with Walnut Stain.

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The seat of the bar stool wasn’t bad, but it didn’t match with the dark walnut stain of the island.

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I lightly sanded the surface to remove the protective finish and then applied a heavy coat of stain. After allowing the stain to thoroughly dry, this may take a few days, I added the finishing touch.

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I purchased this baroque stencil from Hobby Lobby and centered it on the seat of the bar stool.

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Then using a sponge roller I lightly rolled on Greek Villa (my other go to color) from Sherwin Williams.
After it had dried completely, I lightly sanded the stencil to distress it slightly and applied a coat of spray matte finish varnish to the entire stool.

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I’m really pleased with how it turned out.

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When trying to find the perfect piece for your home or a project you are working on, remember just about anything can be modified to work with your décor.

barstool

It’s so nice to have a place for people to sit when they visit with me in the kitchen, and with my island modification and my new bar stool  I finally have my wish of keeping people on “that side” of the kitchen, instead of in the middle of my kitchen like before. Winking smile

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Thanks for joining me…at the picket fence!

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30 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Giveaways, Good Ideas, Kitchen Remodel, Tutorials

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Comments

  1. Ange says

    March 20, 2012 at 5:13 PM

    Beautiful stool, I love it! Which makes sense because I love anything that involves paint, blue and a stencil. It looks perfect in your kitchen!

    Reply
  2. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    March 20, 2012 at 5:25 PM

    Love the stool makeover. Looks very chic.

    Reply
  3. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    March 20, 2012 at 5:26 PM

    AWESOME job Heather!! LOVE IT!

    Reply
  4. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    March 20, 2012 at 5:29 PM

    Nice custom touch, Heather. I love the design.

    Reply
  5. Ruby Jean says

    March 20, 2012 at 5:55 PM

    Oh makes me want to come on over and sit down.. 🙂 It Looks Fabulous!!!

    Reply
  6. Judy says

    March 20, 2012 at 6:37 PM

    Beautiful job. Love the color and the stenciled detail.

    Reply
  7. Joani says

    March 20, 2012 at 7:04 PM

    Looks fabulous. Love the stencil.

    Reply
  8. Shari @ turnstylevogue.com says

    March 20, 2012 at 8:06 PM

    Those look great!

    Reply
  9. Kristin says

    March 20, 2012 at 8:40 PM

    I love this style of stool, but I’ve never bought one because I don’t like the color. Now I’m smacking myself in the forehead – DUH! Time to go buy one…

    Reply
  10. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    March 20, 2012 at 9:36 PM

    That looks great, Heather! I love the way in goes with your island! Great stencil, too. I really like the look of the dark stain with the white base on furniture.

    Reply
  11. reFresh reStyle says

    March 20, 2012 at 10:43 PM

    It looks awesome! I love it! You rock Heather!
    debbie

    Reply
  12. Kelly says

    March 21, 2012 at 12:03 AM

    Love how that turned out! I used to have some wooden barstools that I was always repainting to suit my changes in decor. That’s such a good idea to reuse what you have and put your own signature on it. The stencil looks great.

    Reply
  13. Debbiedoo's says

    March 21, 2012 at 1:49 AM

    My kind of project here! I have redone our bar stools twice now..they are so reasonable to begin with like you said, you don’t mind painting them and making them your own.

    Reply
  14. Le-Ann says

    March 21, 2012 at 1:57 AM

    Looks great, Heather! I just bought black stools like that at Target on Sunday with the intent to distress and modify them. Great minds! 😉

    Reply
  15. Robin says

    March 21, 2012 at 12:13 PM

    You have trully made it your own. It’s lovely.

    Reply
  16. miss flibbertigibbet says

    March 21, 2012 at 12:13 PM

    Looks great! I need to do my two kitchen benches….now I’m inspired!
    Lorraine

    Reply
  17. javajanie says

    March 21, 2012 at 2:39 PM

    Love it!

    Reply
  18. Val says

    March 21, 2012 at 2:41 PM

    What a difference…looks amazing. I have similar stools , maybe I’ll try it and hope that it comes out as beautiful as yours.

    Reply
  19. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    March 21, 2012 at 5:50 PM

    Great makeover…you created a beautiful “run of the mill” stool into a real beauty!!..Thanks for the tutorial!…

    Reply
  20. Fox Hollow Cottage says

    March 21, 2012 at 9:34 PM

    I’m a stencil chicken! This turned out so super cute though. Love the whole makeover.

    Reply
  21. Emily says

    March 21, 2012 at 9:52 PM

    From Ho-hum to fab…You are amazing!!! Love the barstool!
    Frani

    Reply
  22. Pamela says

    March 22, 2012 at 12:59 AM

    That turned out great Heather! I love that stencil and have used it on a table I redid. It is the perfect size for a lot of projects.

    Reply
  23. Richella says

    March 22, 2012 at 1:21 AM

    My goodness. . . I’ll bet you ARE pleased with how it turned out, Heather! I love the light look of your stools. I worked so hard painting my barstools black a couple of years ago, and I still love them black–but hmmm. Now I’m thinking I need to paint something around here lighter and brighter! 🙂

    I’m so glad that you’re getting such great press about your kitchen. Your hard work and love shine through so clearly–you deserve it!

    Reply
  24. momto8 says

    March 22, 2012 at 2:30 AM

    perfect!! You must be very happy every time you see it!
    I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.
    I would sit right on that seat!

    Reply
  25. Debbie says

    March 22, 2012 at 12:52 PM

    I really do love this, and I think it does your new schmancy kitchen justice. I love the stencil. I’m just a stencil lover.

    Reply
  26. sheri says

    March 25, 2012 at 12:13 AM

    I love love love it. And you’re right – you can always ‘fix’ something that is almost there, but not …quite. Do it all the time 😉

    Reply
  27. Cindy says

    March 28, 2012 at 2:23 AM

    Awesome! I love your stencil pattern. Love the way it looks in your kitchen.

    Reply
  28. Budget Design Girl says

    March 28, 2012 at 3:23 AM

    Gorgeous stool makeover!! Very chic!
    xo-Lisa

    Reply
  29. Sharon @ mrshinesclass says

    March 28, 2012 at 3:32 AM

    I have those exact stools and have plans to customize them a bit. I’m glad for the tutorial because deepening the stain on the seat is a part of my new design plan as well as a stencil. I want to paint the legs, but not sure what color yet. Maybe cream, maybe blue….I hope my stools turn out as fabulous as yours!

    Sharon @ mrs. hines class

    Reply
  30. Anu@My Dream Canvas says

    March 30, 2012 at 6:58 AM

    This looks so pretty. I hope to see you at My Dream Canvas. Visiting you from Wow Us Wednesday.

    Reply

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