Reupholster a Vintage Stool with Denim

Hi everyone! Hope you had a great week-end. I did some shopping on Friday, and I’ll share my finds with you tomorrow. Today I’m going to show you how to reupholster a vintage style stool with denim. 
Reupholster a Vintage Stool with Denim adirondackgirlatheart.comThis month the recycling material at The Creative Craft Challenge Link Party is denim, so that’s been on my mind lately. A couple of weeks ago I posted my denim bunting project.

taking upholstery off a vintage stool When I picked up the stool at Salvation Army, for just $3.99, it was covered with a pretty blah fabric, under which lay the original tapestry covering. Again, nothing spectacular. I thought denim might be a fun, unexpected choice.

For details on how to remove old upholstery and recover stools, click here.

How to recover a vintage style denim stool (10) (816x1200)Unfortunately, the only cool, worn denim I had came from old jeans, and none of the pieces were large enough to cover the stool. Darn. I really wanted to use the back-side of a pair, leaving the pockets in tact, but like I said, none were large enough.

How to recover a vintage style denim stool (816x1200)I had to resort to a denim curtain that I had just bought (four, large panels for $2 at a moving sale), and I was less than thrilled with the result. It looked very plain.

How to recover a vintage style denim stool (816x1200)My solution? I decided to stencil a cool graphic on the denim. My first choice might have been something Parisian, or perhaps a bird. But Michael’s and Hobby Lobby were rather limited in their choices. I stumbled on this chrysanthemum by Plaid for $2.99 (- 40%).

How to recover a vintage style denim stool (816x1200)I applied the flower using white acrylic craft paint. I think it made a tremendous difference.

How to recover a vintage style denim stool focus on stencil) (816x1200)It’s a fun stencil.

How to recover a vintage style denim stool (816x1200)There you have it.

How to recover a vintage style denim stool (816x1200)I’m thinking about adding some more flowers, maybe partials around the edges and corners. What do you think?

UPDATE: Thank you friends for telling me what you think about my little stool. I got busy implementing your suggestions. First, I removed the legs and gave them two coats of acrylic cream paint. This didn’t cover completely so I left it as is since it made it look distressed. (Though that doesn’t show up in the photos.) Then I rubbed on a few coats of clear wax for protection and screwed them back onto the top.

stool update with white legsI think she is greatly improved. What do you think?
 
stool update (1200x878)She’d look sweet in a nursery or toddler room, or maybe a sun porch. Thanks again for all your input!

 

Another denim post you might be interested in:

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Reupholster a Vintage Stool with Denim adirondackgirlatheart.com

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26 Comments

  1. Cute! I like the stencil, with or without added edges. Are you thinking about painting the legs too? I think that'd be the bees knees. 🙂

    1. You know, I think that's exactly what it needs–white right? With a bit of gold showing through, or no? Thanks Rita! I'm going to try it out today 🙂

  2. I love the denim, and the stencilled flower looks great. White legs with a little distressing would be fabulous!

  3. The denim and stencil are great, Diana. Painting the legs as Rita suggested, would be the icing on the cake. Have fun!

  4. I agree with Rita about painting the legs. I think you should mix up some of your chalk painT recipe and let some of gold show through. Please share when you paint the legs. Are you taking it to your booth? BTW I love the stencil.

  5. So cute. You did a great job. And I agree with the others about painting the legs. That will make it just perfect.

  6. So cute and I like how the stencil mimics the pretty rug pattern. Painting the legs was a great suggestion and the perfect touch. I love using denim in projects too.

  7. This is darling, now – love it! Thanks for sharing it at the Vintage Inspiration Party this week.

  8. This is so pretty, great transformation! Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend? I hope you will join us again this Monday!

  9. Not sure if you saw my recent denim and burlap post. I love your foot stool transformation! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop.Watch for your feature on Monday xo

  10. Diana, this is very cute! Sometimes, less is more. You could always take a photo of the center flower, print out some more on white paper, cut them out, and stick on with tape, just to live with the look for a week and see if you really want to add more. BTW, surprised to see my bathroom shower curtain under the stool (the green-aqua-brown-cream medallion print), are you using that as a tablecloth? I love the colors and the design, makes me happy when I am in that bathroom.:-) first-time visitor, B. Folk

  11. The stencil made all the difference in the world. Love it and the painted white legs! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

  12. I’m recovering some counter stools with old jeans and plan to stencil them with white paint, but a different pattern. I’m wondering if the paint will wear off with repeated use. It’s a recreational property so the stools will be used but not every day. Do you think the paint will wear off?

    1. Hi Dianne–unfortunately I sold the stool so I’m not sure of how long lasting the paint will be. I will say that it definitely looked and felt like it was there for the long haul. Keep in mind that if the stencil begins to wear, you can also touch it up with more paint and your stencil 🙂

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