Before & After: A Simple Stool Gets Gilded for Just $15

Written by

Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director at AT Media
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director at AT Media
For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat.
published Sep 20, 2014
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
(Image credit: Elly Gehrig )

Looking for inspiration on how a simple step — a tiny application of a surprising material, for instance — can dramatically upgrade the look of a tired piece of furniture you might already have? Then you’ll appreciate the do-this-in-a-weekend amount of work that Elly put into this old wooden piano stool.

(Image credit: Elly Gehrig )

From Elly:

When I moved out at the start of the year, I inherited this unwanted piano stool. It sat in the bedroom with the laundry on it for almost half a year before I decided what I wanted to do with it.

I spent an afternoon sanding it and spray painted it white. I wanted the white to look a little bit rustic. I then spray painted the legs metallic gold. I’m so happy with the results. It cost about $15 and it’s the first thing you see as you walk in our house. I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out!

Thank you Elly! We love how this stool looks like an expensive purchase after your work! And what a lovely way to greet yourself and guests!