Rustic Burlap bar stools

Well, today I hit the nail on the head. Literally. I have had this pair of bar stools for a long time and had already refinished them. You may remember these from a while back? Anyways, something wasn't right - They just weren't 'me'. Even though these stools are to be sold I love the freedom of non-custom orders to do absolutely anything I want to a piece. Every piece that I have free reign with should reflect me and be something I would put in my own home. The first time around with these stools just missed the mark.

But, the good news is......PAINT CAN BE CHANGED!!!!!!

So this week I got to work stripping, sanding, spray painting, whitewashing, stapling, hammering; the whole nine yards. The result, I think, was totally worth the time to re-do and make it right.

{ah yes, much better}

My inspiration for refinishing these stools, (again), was this photo I found through a google search from Restoration Hardware. Their 19th C Rustic Stool is no longer available, but I loved the idea of burlap and exposed nail head trim. I also loved the driftwood texture of the wood and since we JUST spent a long weekend at the lake house I was extra motivated to create that look on my stools.

{Brilliant!}

I wanted more of a contrast between the burlap seat and the wood of the frame, so I mixed a very light gray rather than brown, though you could easily get that authentic 'driftwood' look with a light shade of brown. First, I spray painted my frames in white, (after stripping them of the old color). If you want to do this in brown, like above, then paint a base coat of a very light shade of brown - more of a tan. Then fill a bowl with your top paint color, (should be darker than your base color - I used a very light gray, if you want a real 'wood' look, then use a darker brown), and another bowl with some water.

Dip the end of your brush into the water, then shake it out

Then dip the end of your brush into the paint and let any large drips fall off, (sorry so blurry!)

Brush your watery paint on in long stokes. Watch for splatters! Thin paint flies far :)

The result when it dries; a worn patterned look to your wood. Finish by gently rubbing fine sandpaper, (I used 220 grit), over every square inch.

I also made the seat cushions from 1.5 inch thick seat padding, (JoAnn fabrics), and burlap. I layed the top of the seat on top of the padding and scratched with a pen the outline of the seat.

Then I cut and glued it onto the seat using all-purpose craft glue.

I attached the burlap with a staple gun and then the nail head trim along the bottom side of the seat using a 'chain' like trim from JoAnns, (brand Dritz Home, pictured), - which was technically cheating, but I made a mess of trying to nail in each tack individually! Every 4th 'nail' on the chain had a hole so I could hammer in a real nail which keeps the trim attached secure and tight to the seat.

It just felt so good to remake these stools in a look that feels natural to me. What a joy it was to find an inspirational style and work it out to make it my own.

{Available for sale}

We are going to be up rooting our front yard this weekend to dig out all our current bushes and shrubs that are both overgrown and outdated. Kind of scary to go to a blank slate but SO exciting! I have no green thumb whatsoever so I'm hoping to learn a lot as we re-landscape our yard.:) Any tips out there?

Next week I have several new pieces coming in for a custom job. I can't wait to hear what the new 'orders' will be and share some good before and afters!!!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

~Chelsea