Monday, May 4, 2009

Roadkill Rescue: Step Stool Refab

I'M
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!

I have a confession to make, (since I haven't nearly told you enough about myself ;-) I am a trash picker. Yes I admit it. I am no longer ashamed. At the end of the month when we have large item collection day I get all giddy on Monday night. Now before you think I am totally nasty let me clarify... I do not go into people's trash cans, I merely peruse the large items they have next to the trash cans. So Tuesday morning before I take Isaac to preschool I drive slowwwwwwly around my neighborhood to see if anyone's trash can be my treasure.

Case in point... I found this step stool a couple of months ago. Tell me people, because I certainly do not understand it...why would someone throw away a perfectly good step stool? I reckon it looks like trash but it still works. Do you really need a pretty step stool? For goodness sakes you get it out maybe once a week to reach a high item! So it is ugly...must you dare throw it away?

I THINK NOT!

Isaac wanted to be in the picture...

I ripped off the old pads and took some steel wool to her (do you notice all my projects are female...I wonder what would constitute a male project?)

I used the old pads as a template. Then I took some cardboard (Thank you Papa John's pizza box!), some leftover fabric from this and some padding and stapled her together.

There was some silver spray paint that I found for $.25 at a yard sale last year in my garage. So she got a good spray down. I was not particularly excited about silver but 1) the item was free and purchasing more spray paint would not make it free anymore 2) it is a step stool for goodness sakes it doesn't need to be a show piece!

Using a little Liquid Nails I glued the new upholstered pads on.

She cleans up well dontcha think?

44 comments:

  1. DorisMay 4, 2009 at 4:59 PM

    I bought a table lamp recently and would like to pair it with a floor lamp but the only color stand that would "match" is silver. I found the perfect style on Craigslist but I'm iffy about silver spray paint, Im more encouraged to try it out since your project came out great in Silver!

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  2. MaceyMay 4, 2009 at 5:34 PM

    I bet your neighbors would want that back now that it looks so great! I don't think I'll ever throw anything out again after seeing all your tricks. : )
    Macey

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  3. AdrienneMay 4, 2009 at 5:55 PM

    Your very good! I think it looks fab!

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  4. mabry's GammaMay 4, 2009 at 5:55 PM

    The stool looks great even with the silver paint. I wish we had one of those days each month where people got rid of items that could be a treasure but sadly we don't...darn it all. Maybe when I move to Alabama. Rhoda from Southern Hospitality goes to all these awesome sales and I am hoping she will let me tag along.

    I just read your Real and Raw part 16 today since I am now in NC and want to thank you for sharing all about you.

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  5. pink and green mama MaryLeaMay 4, 2009 at 6:29 PM

    So cute!1 I'll have to post a show and tell for you sometime on my blog so you can see the china hutch (!! I KNOW!!) I rescued out of my neighbor's trash. It's in my kitchen and they would die if they ever saw how nicely it turned out. :) It will be our little trashy secret!

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  6. CarrieMay 4, 2009 at 6:35 PM

    So cute!

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  7. TamaraMay 4, 2009 at 7:07 PM

    Looks very retro - like it would go beautifully in a disco diner next to the juke box - fabulous redo - I might have gone with your famous canyon black spray... but the silver is fun and you'll get some more years out of it!

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  8. ErynMay 4, 2009 at 7:08 PM

    I love that! It's my dream to find an old vintage metal high chair to do that to...

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  9. DeeMay 4, 2009 at 7:18 PM

    purdy, just my colors....my birthday is the month of June!

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  10. all i need is love...May 4, 2009 at 7:43 PM

    The stool looks so cool and kind of retro!

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  11. UnknownMay 4, 2009 at 8:06 PM

    Wow! Now it's cute enough to leave out all the time!

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  12. AmyMay 4, 2009 at 9:06 PM

    You make these refabs look so darn easy! I'm still contemplating what to do with my bathroom cabinets. I'm thinking painting them is the way to go, too much involved to sand and restain. Just not sure what color...

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  13. JennMay 4, 2009 at 9:11 PM

    Nice job!!

    I, too, am jealous that people have large item trash pick up days and good Goodwills. Mine is really just a junk drop off (or maybe I just don't have the vision!).

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  14. Thrifty Decor ChickMay 4, 2009 at 9:40 PM

    That is freakin' fantastic!! Only you could make a step stool look like a million bucks. I saw a GORG table next to the trash down the street a couple weeks ago and called my sister to go get it -- turns out it's a OLD sewing machine table (so old I think it may even been worth something...) I'm taking the machine out to do something with it...I don't even have a spot for it but I LOVE it and it was FREE!!!

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  15. janetMay 4, 2009 at 10:07 PM

    well i would say she is beautiful for sure....and the most chic stool i have ever seen, good for you!
    hugs
    janet

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  16. Amanda and KatieMay 4, 2009 at 10:12 PM

    The stool looks awesome! I would like one.

    Be sure to stop by our blog. We gave you something lovely :)

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  17. ShannonMay 4, 2009 at 11:04 PM

    the visual of you looking for "treasure trash" is priceless! but not that shocking...I know you too well!

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  18. Julie HMay 5, 2009 at 1:04 AM

    It's amazing what people throw away. Although maybe they just didn't need it and knew someone crafty like you would come along and pick it up!

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  19. annalieseMay 5, 2009 at 1:27 AM

    oooohhhh! I love it! we had one very much like that growing up. you do great work.

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  20. TrishMay 5, 2009 at 1:28 AM

    We have a nasty couch that someone dumped right outside our place........want to refab it?

    I am impressed!

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  21. Sandi a::k::a KnitMyRhinoMay 5, 2009 at 1:49 AM

    You know, that stool would look mighty wonderful in my black and red kitchen (with silver harware)!! And don't be shy honey, I drive the streets the first of the month too!

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  22. MichelleMay 5, 2009 at 8:09 AM

    Fabulous!!! Even better that it was free. lol When/if you get tired of it, you can turn around and sell it for pure profit ... to use on supplies to redo the next found treasure, of course.

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  23. Amy JoMay 5, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    Is this an Indiana thing? The end of the month big trash day? We don't do that around here...bummer. But I have found a few treasures near trash cans, esp. since we moved to a nice area last year! Yesterday morning I saw a wheelbarrow, but didn't have time to check it out. I've been putting off buying one for $70...

    Great rehab; hard to believe it's the same stool! I'm also amazed at the stuff people throw out.

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  24. Vivienne @ the V SpotMay 5, 2009 at 12:14 PM

    That is fantastic! It looks kind of '50s diner retro in the pix.
    You're fab!

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  25. Debilou ~ Mississippi MamaMay 5, 2009 at 1:24 PM

    Oh yeah, she definitely cleaned up nice, Yay for her! Great deal

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  26. StaceyMay 5, 2009 at 3:09 PM

    You Rock! I wish you were my neighbor so you could inspire me in person!!

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  27. Casey (@ Chaos and Cardboard)May 5, 2009 at 3:28 PM

    Loved your story, but glad to have you crafty self back too! :)

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  28. gatornicMay 5, 2009 at 3:52 PM

    Holy wow! You are amazing. I am one of those that would have seen that old step stool and not realized what a gem she really is/was. Love it!!

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  29. KarenMay 5, 2009 at 9:55 PM

    I have a blogger award for you. Stop by my blog and pick it up. Love your site!
    Karen
    http://savingthefamilymoney.com

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  30. Julie HMay 6, 2009 at 1:12 AM

    What no new project today? ;o) Thanks for visiting my blog and your nice comments!

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  31. Lee AnnMay 6, 2009 at 1:01 PM

    Love it! And I had no idea about the liqued nails. I'm going to need to re-do the seats on my new/old dining table. I'll be emailing you when I'm ready!

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  32. Lee AnnMay 6, 2009 at 1:04 PM

    And yes, I know how to spell "liquid". I just don't proof read until after I hit "post". Bad me!

    But, I was thinking maybe you should take the stool back to it's old owner and see if they want to give you $20 for it. You could have quite the business of refurbishing trash.

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  33. Kristen, pajama mamaMay 6, 2009 at 2:58 PM

    wow! that is reFAB!!

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  34. Rachel@oneprettything.comMay 6, 2009 at 4:31 PM

    Wow, great job! Don't let them see the after pics! =) I'll be linking.

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  35. ChristineMay 6, 2009 at 8:01 PM

    Ooh, what a cool idea! I never would have thought of that. You're so creative!

    In fact, after looking through your blog and seeing your craft room and especially your desk, I went out and bought spray paint for my sewing table. Any day now I'll get that started, lol. Yours just looks fabulous!

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  36. cherryMay 6, 2009 at 8:11 PM

    First time here....gld to meet a fellow dumpster diver. Very cute stool! I see you love to do do-it-your-self projects and crafts as much as me. cherry

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  37. CarolynMay 6, 2009 at 8:51 PM

    Beautiful! I'm very impressed. We have a big trash week twice a year and I love seeing what I can get1

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  38. EllsMay 7, 2009 at 10:55 AM

    Thanks for your great meal idea!! Can't wait to try it!

    The step looks great!!!

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  39. AnnettaMay 7, 2009 at 2:12 PM

    Love this, but I confess, I miss your "real and raw" posts. Can you tell us more?? Like being married with kids? Your writing is fabulous.

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  40. Cate O'MalleyMay 9, 2009 at 10:06 PM

    Wow, what a transformation! Betcha they'd want it back once they saw it now. :)

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  41. Sewing-ChickJune 3, 2009 at 2:11 AM

    I don't know why you wouldn't be crazy about the silver. I LOVE IT. You did an excellent job!

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  42. New Born BabiesJune 19, 2009 at 10:59 PM

    Good for you. I am so impressed. I often see great trash in the back of little shops in Los Angeles, but I either don't have the room for them in my car or they look too heavy to pick up.
    I often see couches and chairs that need to be re-upholstered. Wish I knew how to do that. I might look into seeing if there is a class for that near me. Can you make a living in this economy doing that?

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  43. New Born BabiesJune 19, 2009 at 11:00 PM

    I do!

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  44. Tracy G.June 22, 2009 at 8:39 PM

    How did I miss this one? Was the Papa John's box from a mystery shop that you did? :)

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Wow thanks for taking time to comment. You like me...you really, really like me.