On a mission to recycle this neglected vintage stool

For the past few months, I’ve been feeling creatively stagnant. I’ve been racking my brain, trying to find a project to embrace that will help change my current dismal perspective. Don’t get me wrong, I love my wood-burned art and decorative candleholders, but I need something fresh, new, and different to help brush away the cobwebs. But I’ve been struggling to come up with anything inspiring…
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Then, suddenly, I remembered this ratty little footstool hidden in my basement for three or four years and thought, why not?
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Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2018.

Isn’t it a beauty?! This poor thing was a chance find at a dinky little second-hand shop, and the second I laid eyes on it, I knew I had to buy it. I couldn’t tell you what I saw in it. It was sort of just sitting there on the floor of this overcrowded tiny little room tucked under something or other, surrounded by a dizzying variety of used furniture. As I pulled it out to get a better look at it, I cringed at the stained, faded, and torn fabric on the cushion and the scratched, water-damaged wood frame. The thing looked like it had survived the Second World War! It was nothing to look at, and I nearly left it sitting in that crowded, dusty shop, but something inside told me to buy it. This little stool has good “bones”. The grooves in the legs are so distinctive, and the actual construction of the frame is still very much intact. Such simple yet beautiful craftsmanship!
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Photos by Diane M. Lilly, 2018.

Long story short, I brought it home, took pictures, and then let it sit in a corner for ages. At some point, I decided to rip out the upholstery—since it was beyond hope—but then the empty frame sat forgotten—once again—in a dark corner of the room. It slowly dawned on me that I didn’t know what to do with it or the time to figure it out. So, eventually, I got tired of looking at it, and down the basement it went! And there it sat until now…
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Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2018.

Today, I pulled this dejected little stool out from under a pile of stuff that had been unceremoniously piled on top of it over time. I brought it upstairs and discovered that now it looks even more pathetic! Now it’s covered with sawdust, paint flecks, and cobwebs from years of careless storage. I feel so ashamed! But the bones of it are still there. I’ve now had a chance to take a closer look at the details to discover what it is about this sad little piece of furniture that attracted my attention in the first place. Upon closer inspection, I realized that this must be a vintage stool. So I did a little research online and found a couple of pieces on eBay with almost identical grooves down the legs, and—from what I can tell—this piece looks to be either Art Deco or Midcentury in style. One of my favorite design styles is Midcentury, which would explain why I was so drawn to this stool! Something about the simple construction and clean lines is just fascinating and beautiful.
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The question now is what to do with it. I bought it thinking I'd reupholster it, but then I changed my mind. This stool needed to become something different and creative, with a unique touch. One of my passions is taking vintage pieces and making them into artistic decor. So, this wood frame is destined for a makeover! The preliminary vision is to strip the current stain and add a weathered paint effect. I want to use jute twine to create a top for the stool. When I see this finished—in my mind’s eye—I see a vintage bowl, urn, or vase filled with a tasteful real or faux floral arrangement sitting on top of this refurbished stool-turned-plant-stand, making the entire ensemble into a decorative conversation piece. But I’m getting ahead of myself…The next step will probably be to strip off all the old stains in preparation for a fresh new coat of paint or stain.
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I’ve decided that I am going to document the design process, writing a blog article each step of the way, which will allow me to share the journey, experiences, mistakes, and triumphs of this project. I hope to reinvigorate my creativity and inspire others to tap into their visions. Feel free to add to the conversation! Share your thoughts and ideas, tips, and advice. And stay posted as I embark on my journey to breathe new life into this precious little stool!

To read on and follow my journey through the rest of the stages of this project, click on the following links…

The paint stripping stage
Staining the piece with tea
The final touches and finished piece