My Trash to Treasure Tuesday pals and I are at it again!
In case you’re just joining us, we thought instead of bringing you only ONE new makeover this month as part of that series, why not dig through our archives, find our favorites, and share one EVERY Tuesday this month? So this is week #3. If you missed my first two favorites I shared so far, they were my Farmhouse Hutch and a beautiful set of French Provincial chairs that I made over.
Today’s reshare was created as part of a Travel-themed furniture makeover challenge that I shared back in the Summer of 2014. This is the piece I chose, a $5 yard sale stool:
I liked the chair-sized height of it and of course, the price tag. It was a bit beat up though, and not in a “It’s got tons of character” sort of way…
So I immediately came up with the perfect plan in my mind…
You know how sometimes you’ll envision something and it is so perfect and wonderful…
…and then you get this instead?
Um, nope. Not. Even. Close.
So here’s the thing, long before I tackled this, I made over the cutest little vintage tool caddy using Lesley Riley’s Transfer Artist Paper (affiliate link) to transfer an image to the front. The post was titled: One Little Caddy that I Almost Ruined. That should have been at the forefront of my mind when I had the idea to try it again. I swear, I must have crafter’s amnesia. Either that or I was wishing on a star this time would be different. Nope. No go on woodo!
But you know what it works amazingly well on? FABRIC!
Check out how I fixed this flop:
Say what?
Yes it works amazingly well on fabric! Sometimes the most fun projects come from big fat fails.
To fix my flop, I decided to cover the seat. Since I always have a stash of drop cloth nearby, it was my first choice. I also had some leftover batting from when I Destroyed and Rebuilt my Sectional. I cut them like so:
Then I used the same process I used to transfer a pretty graphic onto my Men’s Valet Stand turned Pretty Stool. I share the how-to in that post. I used the Transfer Artist Paper once again. See how beautifully it transfers to fabric?
I found the graphic using the keywords “Round Paris Graphic” and it links to this site, but she doesn’t recall where she found it. It’s tough when you find it in a search, so if you know where this came from, please leave me a message so I can give proper credit.
I used a staple gun to attach it to the underside.
Then I started making my drop cloth rosettes. A lot of them.
Then I attached them with hot glue. Hot glue hurts. I may have lost the ability to be identified by my fingerprints, so be careful!
I put together a video tutorial last Winter…
If you have trouble viewing or it’s buggy, see it HERE on YouTube.
It was the perfect height for my dressing table…
I thought my original idea to transfer a pretty French postcard to the seat would have been perfect for a Travel theme, but at least this still says, “Take me away to Paris!” Right? Sort of?
But wait! There’s more!
My super talented and thrifty friends are each sharing a favorite trash to treasure of theirs today too:
1. Bless’er House 2. Artsy Chicks Rule 3. Girl in the Garage 4.Prodigal Pieces
I’ll back on Thursday sharing 15 Ordinary Items Repurposed:
See you then!
UPDATE: No need to wait…see how I repurposed 15 ordinary items into something new and functional HERE now!
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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The Happy Housie Design Dining and Diapers Liz Marie Blog Funky Junk Interiors Savvy Southern Style Tatertots and Jello DIY Show Off Between Naps on the Porch Just a Girl and Her Blog Sand and Sisal Interior Frugalista
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Funny how sometimes things can go wrong and then they turn out even better. Love this sweet makeover, Christy! Can’t go wrong with dropcloth. 😉
Christy K. James says
So true! Thanks, Larissa! XO
Sandra Powell says
This is really a cute idea, I think this looks better, than what didn’t turn out. Great job!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Sandra! I’m so glad the first attempt failed lol ????
Mary Meusburger says
This is one of my favorite transformations! But, then, I kinda love them all:)
Christy K. James says
Aww you are so sweet! Thank you!! ????
Becky says
Ah, I love a good fail-to-success story! I need to – I live one more often than not, haha. Someone else’s story gives you all of the funny and none of of the crying though! : ) Very nice job with this one.
P.S. I think I too have burned my fingerprints off. If the first time didn’t do it, the 15 MUST have, right?
Christy K. James says
Ha ha Yes! I’d rather watch someone else’s fail-to-success story, but it is a great feeling when you can overcome an obstacle… even if it means losing your fingerprints lol!
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
So sweet! I love the added rosettes.. and of course the Paris graphic. 😉
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Jen!! I think we had five whole participants in that themed Furniture challenge lol. 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
That is the cutest stool ever! I love how you do the rosettes. 🙂
xo
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Nancy!! It’s about time to bust them out again…it’s been a while! XOXO
Lauren says
So sweet, Christy! If I ever find a stool like this, I’m so copying you and putting it in my little girl’s room. Precious!
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks, Lauren! Perfect for a little girl’s room. I also painted a standing oval mirror a while back in ivory and added the rosettes around the frame…also perfect for a little girl’s room. 🙂
Lia says
This is one of the first transformations I ever pinned and it is still my favorite! Thank you for reposting it!!!
Christy K. James says
Aww I love that! Thank you!! This is one of my favorites too. 🙂
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
Oh I remember this gorgeous stool makeover, Christy. I’ve missed this entire Best Of The Archives Series. Time to get caught up and maybe do some participating!
Christy K. James says
It had definitely been fun to reshare some favorites from the past! 🙂
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
So great and creative! Sorry about the hot glue but well worth the burnt-off fingertips. Visiting from Best of the Weekend party.
Christy K. James says
Thank you and thanks for stopping by! XO
Mimi says
Christy, this is just divine! What a clever chicken you are. I have some of that paper and hadn’t figured a use for it yet (impulse buy!), but I think I’m inspired now! Please come and share this project at my Five Star Frou-Frou linkup at A Tray of Bliss. We love a pretty French themed makeover. Love, Mimi xxx
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Mimi! 🙂
Sherry Pelle says
Hi Christy! I love this SO much that I picked up some drop cloth today and can’t wait to get started! I’m wondering if I need to wash the drop cloth first though? Thanks for posting!
Christy says
Hi Sherry! So glad you like it! There is really no need to wash first. Have fun!