Upcycling — October 25, 2018

Before and After: My Vintage Step Stool

Upcycling — October 25, 2018

Before and After: My Vintage Step Stool

I have been looking for just the right step stool to use in my photography studio. I am constantly needing to shoot straight down onto the project sitting on the big heavy industrial table in my studio and jumping on and off the table as I do is not the best idea. I was delighted when I found this vintage stool with retractable steps at a flea market. It looked exactly like the stool my parents had in their photography studio back in the 1060’s. I knew immediately that I would be painting this stool to give it new life. Though I am a huge Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® advocate, there are a few projects now and again where I reach for a can of spray paint. This is one of them. I purchased one can of Liquitex in this pretty aqua color for this project. I found the perfect match in a polka dot oilcloth that I used to cover the steps and top of the stool. To attach the oilcloth to the metal I used high strength spray adhesive. You can see my step-by-step photos of how I gave this old stool a new look. Cheers! ~ Lia

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Discussion

Ask Lia or the community!

29 Comments

Cynthia August 6, 2024 at 11:59am

What is an oil cloth? Do you buy it like a tablecloth?

Reply
1. Lia August 7, 2024 at 8:45am
  
  @Cynthia
  
  Oil cloth might be the nickname for this fabric, but it is like a coated cotton that is easy to wipe and clean. I believe they originally used oil to create this but now it is a plastic finish.
  
  Reply
Rena October 18, 2023 at 12:59pm

This is so beautiful!!! I received one of these stools from my neighbor, and completely disassembled, sanded and painted it. I was able to reuse the rubber as it wasn’t damaged and cleaned up nicely with tire cleaner. I did yellow and white, and I love it so much. These stools are amazing, I love seeing what others have done to restore them.

Reply
1. Lia October 19, 2023 at 10:12am
  
  @Rena
  
  This is still one of my favorites. I would love to have it professionally powder coated. Maybe someday. 😉
  
  Reply
Lia February 21, 2022 at 8:15am

This is still one of my favorite stools!

Reply
Melissa October 24, 2015 at 2:59pm

Such a great and creative idea. It has inspired me to add life to our stepping stool. Thanks for sharing.

Reply
1. Lia October 26, 2015 at 8:57am
  
  @Melissa
  
  I have two vintage ones and I use them all the time. I think it is time for another powder coating of my teal stepping stool.
  
  Reply
Kathleen May 16, 2015 at 5:54pm

Why did you take the back off,or did it have a back?

Reply
1. Lia May 18, 2015 at 10:39am
  
  @Kathleen
  
  Some of them do have a back, this one didn’t.
  
  Reply
Cathy August 14, 2014 at 8:07pm

I saw your picture on pinterest and love what you did with the stepstool. I have a stool sans steps that looks closely related to yours, I keep it, intending to make it fun and pretty. Thank you for all the info., that spray paint color makes it obvious to me what I need to do. It’s Liquitex for me. The teal/thalo greenish and the polka dots, it’s gorgeous.

Reply
1. Lia August 16, 2014 at 10:12pm
  
  @Cathy
  
  Thanks Cathy! You can find the polka dot oil cloth online too. Let me know if you need a link.
  
  Reply
Kristina May 8, 2014 at 4:33am

Thanks for sharing! I am looking for a cool step stool for my new office space and this inspired me!

Reply
1. Lia May 9, 2014 at 9:57am
  
  @Kristina
  
  I LOVE this stool and might snag another when I find one again!
  
  Reply
Chavon August 20, 2013 at 7:35am

I absolutely LOVE this. My parents gave me the stool we had in the house when I was growing up, which turns out it was when my dad was younger as well. I now have two little boys and I want to bring it out and start using it for them to use to help cook and I was dreading fixing it up. I love this look. I am now going to search for the perfect oil cloth first then find the color to paint it. Right now it is rusty white/red/black.

Reply
1. Lia August 20, 2013 at 9:27pm
  
  @Chavon
  
  I was originally looking for something more rubber strps material but when I saw this I switched directions.
  
  Reply
Trixie July 24, 2013 at 5:12pm

Great piece – just wondered how many cans you used of the spray paint and the type you think is best to use? Loved the idea of the oilcloth too. I would never have thought of that… Love all your ideas…

Reply
1. Lia July 24, 2013 at 5:55pm
  
  @Trixie
  
  I only used one can for this stool, but I did use the whole can. I picked the paint brand for the color and found that I love the brand. It is Liquitex and here is a link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008OG9E0E/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B008OG9E0E&linkCode=as2&tag=liagrihanyoul-20
  
  Reply
Alisa July 24, 2013 at 1:52pm

I have two matching vintage step chairs (with backs) that I was dreading having to take apart before painting. But now I see it’s not necessary. If my chairs turn out half as lovely as yours, I’ll be thrilled. Thanks so much for the step by step!

Reply
1. Lia July 24, 2013 at 5:56pm
  
  @Alisa
  
  They don’t have cushioned seats do they? If not, I think you could spray and get a great look. The paint I used has a wonderful matte finish rather than glossy which I think looks better too.
  
  Reply
Lisa July 23, 2013 at 8:20pm

Lia, did you find the oilcloth locally?

Reply
1. Lia July 23, 2013 at 8:53pm
  
  @Lisa
  
  Yes, it is at Fabric Depot. I tried to find on online source with no luck.
  
  Reply
Alyce July 23, 2013 at 5:46pm

So love this!! Well done!

Reply
1. Lia July 24, 2013 at 8:32am
  
  @Alyce
  
  Thanks Alyce. Next time you see a rusty version of one of these stools, you will look at it in a different light. 😉
  
  Reply
Debra July 23, 2013 at 4:23pm

That came out so nice, love the oilcloth touch on this piece. The color is just perfect! 🙂

Reply
1. Lia July 24, 2013 at 8:32am
  
  @Debra
  
  Thanks Debra! I was so pleased to find the match! 🙂
  
  Reply
Amy July 23, 2013 at 2:19pm

That’s amazing! such a “glamorous” change 😉
Love the fabric too

Reply
1. Lia July 23, 2013 at 2:23pm
  
  @Amy
  
  I was SO excited to find the matching oilcloth fabric! I think I will have to make some zipper bags with the leftover pieces.
  
  Reply
Kimberly July 23, 2013 at 1:40pm

This is just gorgeous! I love the color you chose!

Reply
1. Lia July 23, 2013 at 1:59pm
  
  @Kimberly
  
  I guess I have a thing for teals, aquas and turquoise. 🙂
  
  Reply