Several years ago we were in need of new stools for the breakfast bar in our kitchen. So I did what I usually do; exhaust all local resources by going to every home store in our area. Then when I can't find anything I like, I make it myself!
Of all the crafty projects I've done around our house, I am most happy with these counter stools. And they were quite easy to do.
First I purchased two unfinished maple stools. Then I began planning a design. I decided to do a combination of decoupage and paint so I perused my collection of clip art books. Since these seats are for the kitchen, I thought fruit would be an appropriate motif. I found the line art drawings in The Decoupage Sourcebook by Jocasta Innes and Stewart Walton.
Once I decided on the artwork, I used a photocopier to enlarge the two images to the right size. Then I painted the copies with very watered down acrylic paint which allowed the black details to show through. Once the copies were dry, I carefully cut them out with an X-Acto knife.
Next I moved on to the background. First I sketched a border design on tracing paper. After I primed the seats with latex primer, I traced the layout onto the stool tops using transfer paper. Then I painted the design with leftover latex paint we had in our garage. Once the background was dry, I glued the fruit photocopies in place using plain white glue, being careful to smooth out any air bubbles.
Finally, I stained the stool legs with wood stain. I applied water-based polyurethane letting each coat dry thoroughly and lightly sanding before applying the next coat. This took several days as the legs received three coats and the seats, ten, creating a deep, smooth finish.
Lastly, I signed and dated the bottom of each seat. Voilà! New one-of-a-kind stools for our kitchen. Pleased with the finished seats, I knew they turned out better than anything ready-made that I could find in a store. And after nine years, these stools have held up well.
(This post is linked to Kimba's DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land. Check it out!)
Susan
What a wonderful idea! I've got a good friend who decoupages jewelry, and I've been admiring her pieces for years now. It's a real talent ... I don't think I could do it as well as you two do! Great job on the stools.
Posted by: Katherine @ Grass Stains | March 09, 2010 at 12:48 AM
They are pretty darn cute. :-)
XOXO
Posted by: Jackie | January 18, 2008 at 01:41 AM
Gorgeous and sturdy! FAB! xo, suzy
Posted by: suzy | January 17, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Wow Susan, those look perfect and just lovely. You did a wonderful job !!! Clarice
Posted by: clarice | January 17, 2008 at 05:11 PM
You're not going to let anyone SIT on those works of art are you?? ;)
Great job! They look so professional!
Posted by: Rebecca | January 17, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Oh these stools are just so pretty, you are so talented.
love
Alison x
Posted by: Alison | January 17, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Susan, If I saw those stools at a craft show or home dec shop. I would have bought them...excellent job! Susan
Posted by: Susan at Black Eyed Susans Kitchen | January 17, 2008 at 11:51 AM
wow these are beautiful!!!
great job!
you could sell these babies and make a fortune!
jessi
Posted by: jessi nagy | January 17, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Your stools are just very very pretty!! You have done a marvellous job!!
Posted by: Forgjengelige ting | January 17, 2008 at 07:28 AM
Excellent! Those are very pretty stools! Happy Day :o)
Posted by: Tracy | January 17, 2008 at 07:19 AM