Last Summer I found this rather worn men’s valet stand at an estate sale. I shoved it in my garage and it’s been buried there ever since. I’m not sure what I saw in it to begin with, here is the before:
What I think I liked is that the lid to the bench opens up and it was filled to the brim with all sorts of items. I found a pocket watch, an old shaving blade, a pocket knife, and many other personal items. I was fascinated. And it was only $8.
I decided to remove the back:
…and turn it into a sweet feminine stool:
Who knew that ugly thing could be something pretty, right?
The best part is I didn’t have to buy a single thing to update it.
The first thing I did was remove the plastic tray from the inside and the lid:
Then I painted it with DIY chalk paint, sanded it a bit and gave it a coat of clear wax.
For the cover on top, I wanted something feminine since this will probably end up in my master closet. I started by cutting a piece of canvas drop cloth a few inches bigger than the stool top. To embellish it, I found a crocheted table runner I purchased a while back at Steinmart, but never liked on my table. It was already about the depth of my stool which was perfect, so I cut it just a bit wider and pinned it to the dropcloth.
Then to embellish further, I remembered I had bought this fancy transfer paper:
I first tried it on this vintage (fancy term for old, but kinda cool) tool caddy last Summer:
You can read the full post at the link above to see how it was almost a disaster (and to see what ‘s on the other side of the box :)) Anyway, I put the fancy paper in a drawer and forgot about it…until now.
I decided to try it on fabric with a pretty graphic I found from The Cottage Market. It worked like MAGIC!
I printed the graphic in reverse on the fancy transfer paper as instructed and cut it closely around the perimeter:
Then I placed it face down on my drop cloth and ironed it right on. I went over it well on the cotton setting.
Then I pulled away the paper and allacazam!
A-mazing! If you hang out with me often, you know how I pain-stakingly paint in every tiny letter with a brush like here and here, so this was so cool!
Then I cut it to the size I wanted…
…and frayed the edges all around. Then I pinned it over the table runner:
…and sewed it in place; one seam down either side and once around the center panel.
Before covering the lid with my new masterpiece, I cut a piece of drop cloth just a bit smaller than the inside of the lid and attached it with a staple gun. Then I covered the lid just like you would cover a chair cushion, using a staple gun.
To finish it off, I added some drop cloth rosettes.
If you haven’t made rosettes before, they are super easy. Here’s a video link t0 how I made mine:
I am so pleased with how this piece turned out. It was surely heading for the trash. I saved it’s life, you know. You’re welcome little stool. 🙂
We can’t forget about the inside. I Mod Podged pretty coordinating paper onto the bottom…
Brennan had to test it out for himself. He always wants to be right where I am when I’m taking pictures. Isn’t he a big boy for three and a half?
He’s had a lot of fun with the secret hiding compartment. I think it will be great in my closet for little odds and ends that don’t really have a home, like my shoe polish.
Yep, I think it’s a keeper!
XO,
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Andi says
Your attention to detail astounds me. It’s beautiful!!!
-andi
Christy K. James says
Aww Andi…that’s very sweet to say, thank you!! 🙂
Sherri S. says
What a TRANSFORMATION! It is lovely 🙂
Happy Weekend,
~Sherri
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Sherri! 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
OH that’s so pretty Christy! Love what you did with it. I have some of that paper and used it to make bibs for my niece (for my great nephew!! lol) Christmas 2012…haven’t thought about it since! Duh. Now I’ll have to find it in this mess called my “craft room/office”. 😉 (it’s on the long list of “makeovers” for 2014)
Anyway, it’s perfect. Pinning!
Have a great weekend!
xo
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Nancy! I wasn’t sure I would ever do anything with that valet, so I’m especially pleased with it and that paper is awesome for fabric! Now I want to make something else with it. Have a fantastic weekend, it’s supposed to warm up Sunday! 🙂
Val @ Love My DIY Home says
Beautiful transformation! I’ve been wanting to do some if that transferring to fabric or wood, but wasn’t able to find the graphics. I’ll have to check out your link. Thanks.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Val. The Graphic’s Fairy is a wonderful resource for graphics too! XO
Celia says
Wow, that turned out lovely!! It’s so pretty! I’ve recently used similar transfer paper. Next time I will cut closer to the image so I don’t see the edge of the shiny transfer paper! Thanks for the tip:)
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Celia 🙂
Cindy @ Diy beautify says
What a great idea, and it turned out so sweet! Great trash to treasure! Pinned 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cindy! I’m sill enjoying your tortilla soup recipe, now in my regular rotation, and I think about you every time I make it ha ha 🙂
Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog says
I LOVE it, Christy! What a transformation! And I’m going to have to try that transfer paper trick– that is awesome! Hope you have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Abby! Stay warm! 🙂
bj says
Absolutely PRECIOUS. What a fabulous job you did….I love it.
Here from Tweak It….
Christy K. James says
Thanks, bj! I’m so glad you stopped by! 🙂
Robin @ Redo It Yourself Inspirations says
It is a lovely transformation, Christy! The rosettes are a perfect touch too!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Robin! I’m so glad you stopped by! 🙂
Barb says
Wow. All I can say is ‘wow.’ What an amazing transformation. My favorite feature is how you lined the inside of the stool with that vintage pattern. Lovely. Visiting via “FlusterBusterCreativeMuster.”
Christy K. James says
I’m so glad you like it, Barb! 🙂
Nancy @ A Joyful Cottage says
What vision you have, Christy! This is a fabulous makeover. I’d love it if you’d share it at Every Room In The House. We’re partying in The Master Bedroom this month and who wouldn’t love to have a pretty stool like this in their bedroom? Here’s the link: http://www.ajoyfulcottage.com/2014/03/every-room-in-house-party-3.html
Hope to see you there! ~ Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Nancy and thanks for the invite. I just linked up this and a fun dressing table I made over for my master. 🙂
Shanna Gilbert says
It turned put so pretty! I am going to try that transfer paper! I wish that you could just iron it onto wood!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Shanna! This paper claims that you can use it on just about any surface, so I thought wood would work too. Oh well, it’s works fabulously on fabric though. Have a great weekend! 🙂
lisa@ the thrifty challenge says
Lovely! This is such a good update. Perfect end result 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Lisa! It was surely heading for the trash. SO glad I could save it. 🙂
Krista @thehappyhousie says
I love how you even made the inside beautiful! I can never quite get over what you can do to a junky piece, Christy!! Amazing!
Christy K. James says
Aww, you are so kind. I actually went on a thrift store hunt for a piece to redo for our trash to treasure theme, trying to ignore this eyesore in my garage. I wondered what I ever saw in it in the first place. I guess it was lucky that I had no luck at the thrift store, because I was forced to redo this piece and it turned out really pretty. 🙂
Colleen Of Vintage Home says
Wow just a great job! Super idea!
Christy K. James says
Thanks for the sweet comment, Colleen! 🙂
Kammy's Korner says
you amaze me!
Christy K. James says
You are so sweet, Kammy! Thank you 🙂
Joy@aVintageGreen says
Such a beautiful as well as very handy project. Love that you provided such clear details. Pinning.
Joy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Joy! I had fun with this one. XO
Ann Marie Byrd says
This is charming. I am so impressed at how you envisioned the transformation and made it happen. I have never tried transferring an image to fabric but you give me hope. Even the sweet rosettes add to this delightful piece. I saw your link at Suburban Mama’s link party. Ann Marie @ Iris Abbey
Christy K. James says
What a lovely comment, thank you Ann Marie!
Linda says
I want to develop an eye to see diamonds in the rough the way you did in this project.
I love how it turned out.
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Linda! I wasn’t sure about this piece when I bought it, but it was only $8 and I knew if nothing else, it was a cute stool that opened up. Lot’s of possibilities. 🙂
Nancy @ A Joyful Cottage says
Christy, thanks for sharing this wonderful makeover at Every Room In The House. You’ll be featured tomorrow. XX ~ Nancy