Painted Step Stool Makeover

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Turning an unwanted thrift store item into a coveted beauty is one of my favorite things to do. This painted step stool makeover was such an easy project to do.

Walking through any thrift store, you never know what treasures await. Anticipation and excitement run high especially if I am with Jenn or one of my friends. Typically we already know what we are looking for and try to stick with our lists. I even wrote a helpful post about it; 6 Items to Look For at The Thrift Store. Here’s the story of the painted step stool makeover.

Don’t Judge a Duck By It’s Cover

Yes, I bought this step stool on purpose.

No, I hadn’t fallen down and hit my head. Let me explain myself. On this particular day I had already placed quite a few things in my shopping cart. There were lots of great deals to be had and I considered this little duck step stool to be one of them.

Craftsmanship will always win over aesthetics. You see, this little step stool was handmade by someone.

It’s all in the details

I loved the shape and curve of the legs. The stool was made very well – definitely by someone with great carpentry skills.

There was a bit of wear and tear – I call this charm 🙂 around the edges. Definitely the mallard ducks were going to have to go as they are way too country looking for my taste. Here’s the best part…this step stool was only $1.00! How could I pass this up?

If it Looks Like a Duck – Paint The Duck

Currently, I’m running low on my chalk paint supplies. Being that I don’t have a convenient supplier close-by I decided to create a custom color by mixing the colors that I do have on-hand. This color was achieved by mixing a bit of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® in Paris Grey, Pure White and Aubusson.

Isn’t the color hue beautiful? It looks like a light grey tinged with lavender.

After painting two light coats, I lightly sanded the edges with 220 grit sandpaper followed by one coat of clear wax.

You didn’t think I was really going to use this as a step stool did you? 🙂 Although this step stool is solid as a rock and could still be used for its intended purpose, I had a different idea. I set it on the sunroom coffee table and displayed a vignette.

This is my beloved collection of vintage children’s rolling pins.

Although this wooden box looks antique, I purchased it new a few years ago on clearance from H&M.

My dear and sweet friend CoCo sent me this vintage blue and white creamer. She knows how to melt my heart! This year my hydrangea plants are growing the best that they ever have. I couldn’t resist adding an oversized bloom into the creamer.

In this overhead shot I love how the newly painted step tool color matches the color of the antique tool chest – which we use as our coffee table. This was a total coincidence – and the tool chest was made and painted in 1920! You can read all about it in our post Sunroom Decor at the Lake. 

This was definitely $1.00 well spent. The painted step stool makeover turned out great and I have a new little display area. What have you painted recently?

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Pinterest board!