They were solid wood and they were stained a dark mahogany. They were well loved as evidenced by all the scratches and dings on them. But I wanted wooden barstools, countertop height, no swivel, with a back on them, for cheap. Plus I didn’t have to drive out of town to get them they were right here in G’wood.
Here is the original stool. I wanted to paint the stool black and then stain the seat to match the table and chairs we have in our kitchen.
Here she is with her seat taken off and all sanded (with 120 grit sandpaper) and ready to be painted black.
Next onto the seat… I normally use Jasco Paint and Stain Stripper first but I was too lazy to get it out. So I just used an electric hand sander with 60 grit sandpaper and got her sanded down to bare wood. Then I sanded with 120 grit, then 180, then 220 grit. So now she is nice and smooth and ready to stain. You can see the one on the left is all sanded down and the one to the right is ready to be sanded down.
Before staining I applied a pre-wood conditioner. This is an important step. You will be tempted to skip that step but don’t. If you do your stain will be blotchy and yucky. Take it from me… it ain’t pretty. Then using an old t-shirt I applied a (water-based) Minwax Stain in English Chestnut.
I had to wait a full 24 hours (torture) before applying Minwax Polycrylic to the top. Here is the seat drying. I waited 2 hours and then lightly sanded with 220-grit sandpaper and then applied two more coats (sanding in between).
Meanwhile I spray painted the chair black (Canyon Black by American Accents) with this.
For those of you who asked… Yes, you have to use this paint sprayer with an air compressor.
And I can’t stop there. I lightly sanded the edges with 120 grit sandpaper to get a worn look. Because…
Hey stop peeking at my island!! The kitchen is 99.9% done. I just have to install the knobs on Monday (they sent the wrong knobs) and then you will get the big kitchen reveal. I can hardly wait to show you.
Wow! You took something I would’ve passed up on and made it gorgeous!
Wow! Wow! I’m impressed: they look great! When do you come to help decorate my bare white walls? lol
Wowser, babycakes! :0 Absolutely beautiful!!!!
I can’t wait to see your new kitchen!
Aren’t you glad I taught you (cough)how to do these things? 🙂
Mom
xo
Awesome find! great redo!
You’re awesome!
Thank you for putting all the links to the exact product you used. I am actually working on a bookshelf tomorrow and this will be my first time to do anything like this. Looks like I’m going back to the store to get some of the stuff you mentioned.
Beautiful redo!
Oh my gosh they look great!! You did a fantastic job and I can’t wait to see the whole kitchen!!
I’m almost inspired to do that… but it sounds like a lot of work! How much did you spend on all that pre-stain, stain, paint, etc.? Or did you already have it from a previous project? Tripp has a palm sander, could I use something like that on a project like this? We really need bar height barstools. Right now we just have the ones with a round seat that tip over really easily! Everytime I find a stool I like it’s more than $100 for one! We need 3 or 4. Anyway, thanks for the inspiration, I’ll peruse craigslist with a more watchful eye from now on!
All I wanna know is…How the heck do you have time to do ALL that work with two little ones at home? You are a wonder woman, no doubt. I was exhausted just reading your blog and I don’t even have any children at home. 🙁
The chairs turned out great! They have so much more character now that they’ve had the makeover! Another great Craigslist deal.
What a transformation! Those are gorgeous!
Silly me thinking you would have made slip covers. Love the new finish. I’m always blown away what a coat of black or white paint can do for a piece of furniture!
BTW, Somehow you say you don’t have time to plan a children’s birthday party BUT… you CAN strip furniture and kitchen cabinets and paint/refinish them all with a newborn….yeah, um okay Super mom. 😉
Silly me thinking you would have made slip covers. Love the new finish. I’m always blown away what a coat of black or white paint can do for a piece of furniture!
BTW, Somehow you say you don’t have time to plan a children’s birthday party BUT… you CAN strip furniture and kitchen cabinets and paint/refinish them all with a newborn….yeah, um okay Super mom. 😉
Silly me thinking you would have made slip covers. Love the new finish. I’m always blown away what a coat of black or white paint can do for a piece of furniture!
BTW, Somehow you say you don’t have time to plan a children’s birthday party BUT… you CAN strip furniture and kitchen cabinets and paint/refinish them all with a newborn….yeah, um okay Super mom. 😉
Silly me thinking you would have made slip covers. Love the new finish. I’m always blown away what a coat of black or white paint can do for a piece of furniture!
BTW, Somehow you say you don’t have time to plan a children’s birthday party BUT… you CAN strip furniture and kitchen cabinets and paint/refinish them all with a newborn….yeah, um okay Super mom. 😉
Becki,
Amazing! How do you do all you do with little ones??? I can’t wait to see the reveal.
Cheri
You give a whole new definition to the word motivated – impressive is an understatement – good job!
Fabulous! Bar stools are so expensive!…I’ve been looking. And I need 5! Yikes. Good luck to me finding that many on Craigslist.
And yes,…..we can’t wait for the kitchen reveal!
They look amazing. Now I need to find some barstools and give it a try.
Love the chairs and can’t wait to see the rest of your kitchen! How do you have time to do all this with a newborn?!!
First of all…. you’re killing me with the kitchen… I. Can’t. Wait!
And those chairs couldn’t be more perfect! I am simply amazed! I love craigslist too, but my husband thinks I’ve met my craigslist budget for a while.
Great job!
~Jill
That is awesome! Great job!
of course…great job on the stools they look fab! but STOOLS SCHMOOLS…..we want to see the WHOLE KITCHEN!!!
Those look phenomenal!
Those are awesome! Great job!
GORGEOUS!! Love, love, love them!!! The stools are great looking style-wise and you did a terrific job painting them.
~ Sarah
Thanks for the info. I have some bar stools that don't have the wooden seats, but this inspires me to hold on to them and replace the straw seats with the wooden seats. Awesome job!
Wow, I am soooo impressed! Those turned out great. I have had so many chairs that I have wanted to change the stain color but I thought it would be just too tedious. You have encouraged me to give it a try!
Thanks,
Traci
Those look awesome! I have some porch rails that need sanded…have a few free hours? HA!
Love these! Love the wood seat with the black chair! Thanks for linking up!
~Whitney
I love the paint and stain combo! Great job and great detail in your tutorial!!! I can't wait to see that island!!! Thanks for linking up with us! ~ Ashley
Fabulous! I too, love me some Craigslist!!!
I love craigslist too…prolly a little too much. Gorgeous staining and painting and sanding job :o) Can't wait to see the big reveal.
peace, cindy
Thanks for the tips! I just picked up 4 wooden barstools for FREE today! They’re a bit rough but I think I can get them to turn out like yours, however I think I may paint mine grey instead.
I’d love to see how they come out! Good luck!