I bought these bar stools at Target about ten years ago, when my husband and I were renting an apartment with a little breakfast counter. Since then, I've used them in my studio, where they've gotten beat up and paint splashed. I moved out of my studio but I'm still not quite ready to part with the stools so I decided to give them new life…
It was immediately evident when I brought the stools into our little apartment that I would need to cut them down. At this point, I have no need for bar stools — but I do have a need for little tables/foot stools. Knowing this, my first task was to cut the bar stools down. First, I removed the foot rests from the stools.
Then, using a miter box and saw, I cut the legs down. I know what you're thinking, how did I possibly get each leg at the exact same length? Well, let me tell you: I didn't. But, really, the legs on these cheapy Target bar stools have never been even — they have always wobbled. All of the legs are close enough to being even that a little felt on the bottoms should even them out.
I rather like the shape of the newly shortened stools and they'll be perfect beside a chair as a tables or little foot stools. I am not crazy about the finish on the chairs &mash; neither the blonde wood nor the splotches of old paint. Inspired by a number of posts I've seen on this very site, I decided to wrap the stools in rope.
So you might be wondering why the stool that I'm wrapping in rope in the above photo is black. Is that some sort of primer or glue to help the rope stick? Nope, that is simply black spray paint, one of three other treatments I gave to the stools before I decided to wrap them in rope. The first time, I painted the stools white — hated that. Then, thinking it was just the color I didn't like, I painted the stools black. Um, yeah, awful. Then, realizing that I wanted some texture, I decided to use kraft paper and polyurethane to make a faux leather treatment on the stools. FAIL! And so I finally decided to wrap the stools in rope.
It actually didn't take as long (or as many glue sticks) as I expected to wrap both stools in rope. Each stool required about 3 1/2 rolls of 50 foot long sisal rope — I didn't keep track of how many glue sticks I used. (I also didn't keep track of how many times I burned myself on the hot glue. Oof! When will I learn? to keep my fingers out of it?) My method for gluing the rope to the legs was to spread a little hot glue on the front and back of the legs and wrap the rope around, starting from the bottom of the leg and working my way up to where the leg meets the seat.
After wrapping all the legs, I started on the tops. It took three rows of rope on the rim of the seat and then from there I just wrapped the wrap around and around and around the top of the seat. First I would go around with a swirl of hot glue, then I would go round and round with the rope.
Attaching the rope to the tops of the stools was the easiest and funnest part of the whole process. And I think the affect is wonderfully tactile, which adds a lot of interest to these simple little stools.
I was initially worried that I would need to use some additional glue or maybe even polyurethane to keep the rope securely attached to the stools. However, the hot glue seems to have done the trick all on its own. Once the glue dried, the rope is very secure.
Images: Jason Loper
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Hope you don't have cats... it looks like a big ol' scratching post! :)
I think it could have been better with the rope top and candy colored painted legs. Coral, turquoise, or mint maybe.
I love it! Great way to recycle/repurpose your furniture!
I like it. I think you did a great job.
I find this funny and easy to do. Not really my style but I appreciate the new overlay of it. Well done.
It would be great to sew a set of four pillows out of burlap (print the fabric if you want with words or symbols) and use one of the tables to store the stack of pillows. If you use a circle of foam covered with batting inside rather than just loose filling, when you need extra seating, you have comfortable seats for your guests.
Jason, those are awesome! I absolutely love the texture that rope adds, bravo!
Kate
Real kewl! Lots of work, though. Good for you.
I love it! Gives me a great idea. Thanks for sharing!
itchy if you are wearing shorts!
I like the after waaaaay more than the before. Great work!
I think they would nice with a plant on top of them
This is amazing. Way to think outside of the box and really well executed!
I really don't like this makeover. I compliment on the effort but the end result is not that nice, it's just a personal view. But what bugs me more is that you had destroyed a really nice piece of bent wood, a classic of its sort.
Nicely done! I like the end result and would not have guessed that it was a DIY.
I like the look, but I'd dread sitting on them with bare legs. You think wool is itchy?
I bought the same barstool at target years ago. I lived in a small apt. I have looked for more since then, but they were discontinued.
I like seeing the molded plywood. Not a fan of the rope look. Makes me think of a 1970's restaurant at the beach with the net and fake sea life hanging on the wall. Arhhhhhhh!
i too think you did an amazing job. i agree with angie_marie... if you find yourself looking for a change again, you could always paint out the legs with an eye popping colour.
I did something similar to an outdoor table this summer, it's held up well so far! I don't have any cats though, so I'm sure that helps.
1. hot glue is my first love 2. a little burn never killed anyone 3. thank you for your sense of humor about the "ish" leg length. #truth
I think it's a good starting concept, but the end result looks a little too macramé/crafty. I think it would be better with just the rope on the seat and left the legs alone or just painted the legs.
I have the same stools, purchased at may local thrift shop. They aren't the perfect chice, but they are the right height and color for my peninsula, and are wokring out while I watch for something more beautiful!
I am opposed to sisal on furniture. It is harsh and prickly and uncomfortable and LOOKS it. Maybe for tables, if you add a glass top for stability, but in general, not my idea of an improvement. But then, I don't have to live with them, and if it suits you, groovy!
Thanks for sharing the tips. That is a great idea to update your furniture and give it new life. That comes in handy when you are redesigning your bar/lounge area and have to stick to a tight budget. If you can't afford all new stools or other décor items you can simply add or modify them by painting, adding rope how you did, you can apply new stain or even fabric...
I was so inspired by this! I spray painted the top of one of my small, square-top side tables a khaki color and wrapped the legs in jute. I love my new table– thanks for the inspiration!