If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you know I love to yardsale and find treasures out there to repurpose and fix up for my house. I haven’t been able to yardsale for awhile now, but I plan to get back to it this Spring. I miss getting out there and finding things! I had to stop because I had too many things stockpiled and once I moved in my house, I’ve begun to declutter and get rid of all the extras that I had. Now I’ll be ready to get back to my habits of thrifting once again.
This was a fun chalk paint finish project to get done around here, so I can’t wait to share it with you.
One of the small things I found while I was still in Birmingham, was this cute little stool. I don’t remember what I paid, but I’m sure it wasn’t more than $2 or so. It wasn’t much to look at and was originally a dark green finish.
I knew it would come in handy for the kitchen, where we always need a step up. I can reach most of my cabinets, but there are a few that have high spots and a little stool like this is all that’s needed. I had sprayed over the dark green with black spray paint at one point, but this time I gave it a chalk finish.
Now, there are a lot of chalk finish paints out now and I’ve used the one you all know about many times, but this time I decided to try another approach to chalk paint. My friend, Debbie, in Birmingham sent me a box of Webster’s chalk paint powder to try out, along with Fiddes and Sons wax. She and her daughter, Tiffany, have their own business of furniture painting in Birmingham and sell the Webster’s chalk paint powder from their shop and also online. You can click over to their shop, the Not So Empty Nest for all the details on buying the chalk paint powder. Find them on Facebook too, the Not So Empty Nest. Proceeds go towards her daughter’s adoption. This was my first time trying Webster’s and I have to say, I really liked how easy it was. Webster’s chalk paint powder turns any paint into chalk paint, which makes it really cost effective too. I’ll show you how that works in a minute.
There are also a lot of homemade methods for making your own chalk paint that you can search online and find.
First, I wanted to added some words to my step, so I made vinyl letters on my Silhouette Cameo machine. I’m still not a pro at using this machine, but I can manage to print out some letters like this. I choose a font and decided on Steppin Up for my stool. Cute, huh?
I printed it out on gold vinyl and it’s ready to apply on the stool. I don’t have all the right tools for transferring these vinyls, so I just cut my saying down to size and peeled off the whole backing.
I used FrogTape to draw a straight line, centered in the middle of my stool, so that the lettering would be even. I didn’t get a pic of this part, but I peeled off the entire backing from the letters and pressed them down on the stool. Then I removed the extra vinyl from around the letters.
And this is what it looks like. I like the gold, but used them more as a stencil, since I painted the entire stool another color.
Here’s where I mixed up the Webster’s Chalk paint powder. You mix 2 TB powder to 1 TB water for every cup of paint you want to use. I had about a cup of paint left in my Valspar container. I used the same color I had used on my pegboard in the laundry room, Valspar Swiftly Green from Lowes, in a sample pot. I really liked how easy this Webster’s powder was to use.
If you’d like to try out Webster’s chalk paint powder, my friend, Debbie is offering a special to my readers. Southern Hospitality Online Special that you can just add to the cart. Enter promo code SOUTHERN to receive free shipping on any order over $50. The online special is a $62.85 value and my readers get it for $55 + free shipping.
Two TB powder and 1 TB water goes in a small jar.
Shake well.
Then pour into your cup of paint and mix it all together.
Then I was ready to apply my chalk paint onto the stool. Chalk finish paint doesn’t require priming or sanding, so this paint should hold up fine over the old finish.
I painted on two coats, going right over the letters I had applied.
Two coats and dried.
You really should pull off tape while things are still wet, but I knew it would create a mess trying to get these letters off, so I waited until it was all dry.
One letter at a time, I used a small pin to pull it off the stool. You can see a bit of paint pulled off with a few of the letters, but that doesn’t bother me.
After sanding the edges with a sanding block, some of the black is peeking through.
I really liked the Fiddes and Sons wax too, it’s creamy and is easy to apply. You rub it on in a thin coat, wait just a couple of minutes and then buff with a soft cloth. I was done with this part in 5 minutes.
Now my stool is much more presentable in the kitchen. I thought this happy green/yellow color would fit right in here and it does. Because someone will ask, the gray and white chevron rug is from Ballard Designs. It’s indoor/outdoor and one of the few chevron things I have in my house (from our discussion the other day of trendy home decor!).
It will be tucked in the corner until ready for use.
Sanded edges.
Right here by the island, it sits in the corner, looking pretty cute!
I love making over old things and giving them new life, don’t you?
Check out Lowes Creative Ideas Magazine app, visit Lowes on Facebook, and Lowes on Pinterest.
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Disclosure: As a Lowes Creative blogger, I am sent gift cards to spend on projects and to blog about them. This post is sponsored by Lowes, but all ideas and projects are my own.
I think the stool is very cute. You did a good job. I have never used Chalk paint, and I don’t understand why you would use it if you mix it with paint? What does it do to the paint? Can you use it by itself just mixed with water?
It makes the paint stick and you don’t have to sand or prime, that’s the big advantage of chalk paint. It’s really great for distressing and making things look worn, can be sanded down and waxed easily.
Love your kitchen colors. Would you mind sharing your wall color and color of your island?
Hi, Jane, the wall color is Fennel by Pratt & Lambert, but Sherwin Williams can also mix it. I think that island is painted in Cityscape by Glidden.
This is the first time I’ve heard of that product! What a great idea! Does it feel the same when applying as other chalk paint? Do you mix it with flat paint or does it matter? Thanks, Sara
Glad you liked our products Rhoda! You did a great job! We have found that the cheaper the paint and less sheen (flat), the better. Our favorite we have found so far is Lowe’s Valspar flat. You can only buy that by the gallon but it’s only $15! Most paints have primer now and makes you use a little more elbow grease when distressing. This wax is by far, the best we’ve ever used – even the dark is easy!! Hope your readers take advantage of our special. It’s a great deal!
Too cute!!!
This is so cute! Thanks for sharing. I love to thrift then create. I would love to hang out with you and do some paint projects. It’s so fun and I love chalk paint. I haven’t tried the Webster’s but I’m game for new adventures!
Love this Rhoda! I am about to experiment with a new chalk paint company I found in my local town. I have never used it before so I am really excited to try it out! I love the idea of adding words to one of my pieces too… great inspiration! Love it! XOXO
Rhoda, this is adorable. But be careful when standing on it. Be sure to step only in the middle. If one of your feet is too close to the edge it will tip over sideways. Take it from me, it has happened. I want you to be safe.
Yep, Jean I know to be careful with it!
Very cute.
Rhoda, what a precious southern stool. LOVE the wording. Thanks for telling us about Webster’s chalk paint powder. Going to check it out I’d love to go yard sale shopping with you. YOu find such great “stuff” and make it distinctly yours!
Rhoda,
My husband and I had a print shop a couple of years ago and one thing we did often was sold vinyl for banners, vehicles, signs…whatever. So next time you are putting your vinyl on an object as a stencil, use a bit of dish soap and water mixed together to spray the surface first. You do not want it drenched just spritzed and wiped lightly. The letters will be removable and if you apply one a little crocked you’ll be able to lift it off for re-positioning. The dish soap should not interfere with your paint no matter what kind it is. -Connie
Thanks for introducing me to Webster’s–nice to have it “local”. I found Fiddes wax years ago. A can lasts forever and is a really great product!
P.S. Spam at 6:37 a.m. ? 🙁
So cute! I’m a sucker for little stools — so many uses. Stay warm and safe, Rhoda — no adventures this time, ok? 😉
xo Heidi
How clever, I am fascinated how you did the lettering, do you have any posts on that machine? I have never heard of one. Did you actually cut around the vinyl by hand? It turned out really cute, love it!
Lee 🙂
hi, Lee, it’s called a Silhouette Cameo machine and they have several kinds to choose from. I’m lucky to get to have one for my office. It cuts out the lettering and then I applied the letters to the stool and painted over them. Here’s a post I’ve done on them:
http://southernhospitalityblog.com/silhouette-cameo-winner-and-black-friday-info/
What a fabulous stool you created..I love the “Steppin Up” graphic…great idea!…You do find the best things at yard sales!…Thanks for the recommendation on the chalk paint…I will need to check it out!
P.S. I love that apron!!
This turned out amazing! I didn’t know that yardsale is also used as a verb 🙂 So cute.
I can’t wait to see more of your thrifting finds in future posts – you know how much I love thrifting. Have been finding amazing things.
Are you going to the Design Bloggers Conference in Atlanta, March 2-4? I’m going and I am so excited! I’d love to catch up if you are there.
Dagmar
HI, Dagmar, I’m not going, although I thought about it. Just couldn’t justify spending the money, but I’m sure it’s going to be fab!
love this thanks for sharing