• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Start Here
  • Shop Favorites
  • About
    • Welcome To My Repurposed Life Home of Repurposed Furniture
    • More About Gail
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Information
  • Gallery
    • Repurposed Furniture
  • Repurposed Items
    • Building Supplies
    • Miscellaneous Household Items
    • Picture Frame/Chalk Board
  • DIY
    • Home Reno
    • outdoor living
    • Painting
    • Shop Talk
    • Tips for Around the House
    • Build It
      • Furniture
      • Home Decor
      • Storage
    • Crafts
      • Dollar Store
      • Easy
      • Holidays Seasonal
  • Furniture
    • Chair
    • Desk
    • Dresser/Chest
    • Headboard | Bed Parts | Cribs
    • Kids Furniture
    • Table
    • Kids Furniture
My Repurposed Life® Rescue Re-imagine Repeat
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Project Index
  • Furniture
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » DIY » Painting » Small Stool Makeover | Chalk Couture Style

    Small Stool Makeover | Chalk Couture Style

    Published by Gail | Published June 13, 2018 | Updated July 26, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    I’m doing a small stool makeover for this month’s Thrift Store Décor Project. It’s really been a difficult project. You’d think for it being so small and so easy that it would have been a piece of cake! I never wait till the last minute for this team project. I love doing these easy makeovers. But it’s been so crazy busy around here.

    How To: Small Stool Makeover

    thrift store kids stool

    A new thrift store opened near me. I stopped in last week and spotted this cute little stool.

    tot stool

    This is the sticker that was on the stool. It’s actually a kid’s stool.

    *this post contains affiliate links for your convenience, read more here*

    Sand Small Stool

    sand finish off stool

    I used an orbital sander to remove the varnish off the top of the kid’s stool.

    Clean and Degrease

    tsp cleans grime before painting

    Upon closer inspection I noticed there was quite a bit of grease and grime on the small stool. I used TSP and latex gloves to wipe it down before painting it. Painting over oil or grease is not recommended for any project. It’s an extra step that is worth taking.

    diy chalky paint primer

    Of course I used my favorite homemade diy chalky paint primer for the small stool makeover. A little plaster of paris mixed with regular latex wall paint is my favorite way to start any project, big or small. It makes the paint very flat and helps it adhere to almost any finish.

    Paint small stool with paint sprayer

    super finish max extra paints small projects

    My Super Finish Max Extra is perfect for large or small projects. It really makes painting spindles (legs) so much easier. I always start by painting the underneath side of my projects.

    painted small stool makeover

    Paint really improved the look, don’t you think? I could have stopped there…. but no! That wasn’t enough. It was hot and steamy outside. Sweat was dripping from my face, but I trudge on.

    chalk paste project fail

    The next step was pretty much a project failure. I was hot, in a rush to complete my fabulous small stool makeover—and I failed! I actually tried the transfer twice. The first time I did it, it started raining and smudged the chalk paste. On my second try (bottom right) the transfer pulled off the paint a little.

    Plan b!

    plan b

    I repainted the top of the stool and put a fan on it to help it dry in the dampness of the carport.

    Project ideas and a video of "how to glaze painted furniture and more"

    See Glazed Project Ideas & How to Glaze Painted Furniture

    Add glaze to small stool

    rustoleum chalked smoked glaze

    My secret weapon! Smoked Glaze by Rust-Oleum and a cheap chip brush . This stuff never fails me. Well…. almost never. I even struggled with applying this glaze—for the first time ever! It must have been due to the extreme humidity.

    Watch my video of How To Glaze Painted Furniture

    dry glaze with portable fan

    Seriously folks! This small stool makeover should NOT have been this difficult. I had to use my battery operated fan in the carport in order to get the glaze to dry. The fan actually moved the glaze around a little, and I had to use a clean brush to smooth it out a little.

    Watch my video of How To Glaze Painted Furniture

    kiddie small stool makeover MyRepurposedLife.com

    Pin it now so you can find it later.

    The small stool would be perfect for a grandma’s house. She could use it to reach items in the upper cupboard, and pull it out when the grand kids visit. For now, it’s left with the glaze. After I get over messing with it, I may decide to do the chalk transfer on it after all. Maybe I’ll do it with a pop of color instead of the black I originally tried.

    Would you have kept at it, or given up? I usually have a lot of patience, but when I’m melting in the heat I suddenly lose all patience!

    Thrift Store (1)

    I’m sure my friend’s projects below will not disappoint! Hop over to check out these fabulous thrift store makeovers . . .

    Thrift Store Decor Projects June 2018

    Pin it!

    Striped Stool Makeover  Our Southern Homes

    Vintage Industrial Style Rotating Hardware Bin Sadie Seasongoods

    DIY Wall Mounted Coat Rack: Boho Style House of Hawthornes

    Wooden Ruler Flag Petticoat Junktion

    Small Stool Makeover   My Repurposed Life

    Farmhouse Basket Makeover My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

    DIY Go Jump In A Lake Sign  Refresh Restyle

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    Related Content:

    • Paint Tips
      Paint Tips
    • Storage Bench Made From A Dresser
      Storage Bench Made From A Dresser
    • Chalk Couture Club Couture
      Chalk Couture Club Couture
    • Kids Camouflage Desk Ideas
      Kids Camouflage Desk Ideas
    • Easy Valentine Blocks
      Easy Valentine Blocks
    • Dollar Store Chalkboard | Easy Project
      Dollar Store Chalkboard | Easy Project

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      See comments Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Terri Hughes

      June 20, 2018 at 10:37 pm

      The smoked glaze made all the difference. It looks better than with the transfer. Love it!!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        June 20, 2018 at 10:48 pm

        Thank you Terri. I actually did put the transfer on it over the glaze. 🙂 I haven't taken pics yet.

        gail

    2. Nancy

      June 17, 2018 at 10:15 am

      Beautiful end product!

      Reply
    3. Christy @ Our Southern Home

      June 13, 2018 at 5:38 pm

      It turned out really cute despite your difficulties. I think we've all had quite a few paint fails, but you sure rescued this one!

      Reply
    4. chris

      June 13, 2018 at 3:19 pm

      congrats gammy on your little grandson mine are my joy xx

      Reply
    5. Kristin

      June 13, 2018 at 11:13 am

      Your little stool is gorgeous! Reminds me of the one my grandpa made that a painted years ago 🙂

      Reply
    6. Jennie

      June 13, 2018 at 11:09 am

      That's so cute. I'm glad you finished it, but you do have to be careful about heat stroke. The glaze hides the little split in the top. I'd love to see how the chalk paste will hold up to being stepped on regularly. I'm sure that you'll seal it. Would you seal it with a spray acrylic? I'm working on sanding a stool with 2 steps for my grandson, but it's supposed to be 111 degrees today. It was 90 degrees when I got up at 5:15. Summer has set in.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        June 13, 2018 at 1:37 pm

        Jennie,

        My issue isn't heat stroke, it's sweating too much and my potassium dropping too low. I've been hospitalized twice for it, so I know that I need to supplement with food and OTC potassium when I sweat too much.
        Yes, if I put the chalk paste on it, I will definitely seal it with a spray sealant.
        Take it easy friend, that's hot--even though it's a dry heat. 🙂
        gail

    7. girlfromwva

      June 13, 2018 at 8:48 am

      i am glad i am not the only one who has sweat dripping down my face. i love ur little stool. appreciate your step by step instructions.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        June 13, 2018 at 9:13 am

        I was a hot mess Nova! Never again will I wait till last minute when I have a deadline. I'm always on top of things, so I forget how rough it can be when I try to rush something. lol

        gail

    8. Debbie

      June 13, 2018 at 8:43 am

      It turned out great! This reminds me that I have a little stool that needs to be painted 🙂 Love the finish, maybe add the transfer now that it has a finish on it and it's dry.
      Pinning for later!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        June 13, 2018 at 9:12 am

        Yes, I hope to do that Debbie! What color would you use?

        gail

    9. Jen

      June 13, 2018 at 8:42 am

      Oh, the joys of Louisville humidity. Plus all this rain we have been getting lately is not helping the situation. Where is this new thrift store, please?

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        June 13, 2018 at 9:11 am

        The new thrift store is in Valley Station Shopping Center where the Pizza place use to be.

        Ohh, the humidity! I shouldn't be surprised it started raining--it was so thick already!

        gail

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

    More about me →

    Join Our Mailing List

    ​

      Click the topics you're interested in below:

      Subscribing above means you agree to our Privacy Policy​

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      SEEN ON

      Might I Suggest

      • Start Here
      • Furniture Makeovers

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates

      About

      • Gail's Favorites on Amazon
      • About

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

      Copyright © 2023 My Repurposed Life · Privacy Policy · Disclosure