Painted Top Bar Stool

This old stool was once my grandfather's drafting stool; he used it at his drafting table for many years.  I decided to give it new life, turning it from a drafting stool to a crafting stool.  It will be sure to get lots of use now!

I was inspired by the dip dye trend that's been hanging around for a while.  I wanted to preserve some of the original wood, but also give it a more modern look.  So, I taped off a portion of the legs and only painted the top part of the stool.

To make your own, you will need:

• Bar stool
• Sandpaper
• Paint
• Paint brush
• Painter's tape

Decide where you want the paint to stop, and place painter's tape all around the legs.  Be sure it is smooth and level.

Lightly sand the area above the painter's tape with fine grade sand paper.  Follow the grain of the wood as you sand.

Wipe down the sanded area with a damp cloth, and then get painting!  I bought two different colors to test on the stool, but ultimately chose Winter Lake because it had a bigger contrast against the wood.

Just like when you sanded the stool, paint with the grain of the wood.  Apply two, thin coats to get the best coverage, allowing the paint to dry between coats.

One coat...

Two coats!

When the paint is nearly dry but still a little tacky, remove the painter's tape.  This allows you to scrape off any paint that escaped the tape with your fingernail.

So simple, but such a fun update :)  Stay tuned for the makeover I gave the room that will be this stool's home!