Upcycled Scalloped Barstools
I found some unwanted stools on the kerbside, so I threw them into my car and gave them the ultimate glow up
If you've been following along over on Instagram, you’ll know I recently picked up four unwanted barstools from the kerbside earlier this month. I drove past them a few times and I kept flip flopping as to whether or not I had the courage to throw them in my car. Were they actually free to take? What if someone else took them, would I be sad? (Spoiler alert: yes). Maybe they were just hanging on the kerbside enjoying the sunshine? They had so much potential and I couldn't stop thinking about them, so I called Jase and he encouraged me to go for it.
I was still SO nervous so I called the owners (they advertise their biz on their fence - fortuitous, absolutely) and Scott answered, and begged me to take them. And I did - yay! I threw them into my car and couldn’t figure out how to upcycle them, so I asked my lovely community on Instagram and @thepalmbeachbungalow suggested I use the Merci Maison Ce’Cile stool as inspiration. So that’s what I did, using spray paint, grout, upholstery fabric, MDF and glue. And here we are. I think this might be my favourite project - ever!
And to see how this Upcycled Scalloped barstools came together, make sure you check out this video!
Before & After
The Inspiration
Project Details
🕒 Project Time Estimate: 4 hours, not including grout or paint drying time
💰 Materials Cost: $100
⚒️ Power Tools: Jigsaw, sander
👷♀️ Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate DIYer
Tools
Materials
4 x Barstools
Scissors
Staple gun and staples
Measuring tape
Coaster (mine was from Ikea) or a small bowl
Pen
White primer paint
2 x Paint brushes
Chipboard screws
How To
Step 1: The first thing I did was remove the existing seat cushions using a screwdriver and a drill, and steam cleaned them. I cut the fabric to size and reupholstered each cushion using a staple gun, then I set them aside.
Step 2: I spray painted the wrought iron stools with white spray paint. Followed by white chalk spray paint. I applied a coat of grout directly onto the stools using a paint brush. I waited until the grout had “almost” dried, then I used my hands to smooth the grout down. This will ensure the wrought iron is comfortable to sit against. Following this, I sealed the grout with clear coat spray.
Step 3: I used a measuring tape to measure the sides of the stool seat and worked out I would need 11 half circles of the same size (10cm diameter) per stool. I used an Ikea coaster to trace half circles onto a thin panel of MDF using a pen and cut the half circles out using my jigsaw (and clamps which secured the MDF to my work table). I sanded the edges then applied one coat of white primer paint onto both sides and the edges. Once the paint had dried I applied on thick coat of grout onto one side of each half circle. And then I quickly patted the grout down so the texture was smooth using the palm of my hand. I set them aside to dry.
Step 4: Once the grout had dried I glued the half circles underneath the seat frame using Selley’s Hold Up glue, which incidentally was the best glue for this project as it’s white (like the spray paint and grout), and it held the half circles up straight away (without needing to use painters tape to hold them into place). It’s exceptional glue! When the glue had dried, I placed the cushions back onto the stools using new screws and my drill. And that’s it!
Ta daaaa! What a glow up…
This might actually be my favourite upcycled project ever. Seriously! All I did was reupholstered the cushions, spray paint the wrought iron stools and cover them in grout, which I also smoothed with my hands to create the most stunning Diago Giacometti-esque texture. I cut 44 half circles using MDF and my jigsaw (this step was actually quite quick!) which I painted and grouted, then glued them onto the seat frame and put the cushions back on.
I cannot believe how beautiful they look on our front deck. Like, whoahhhh! And I am so excited to experiment more with grout and scallops in my upcoming projects. I hope this project inspires you to get creative and give some old, lonely barstools a new home and a whole lotta love.
And make sure you check out my other rendered DIY and upcycled projects here and here.
