Pallet for Home

I know I teased you with these stools last week

and then got side tracked with the news of having painters come to the house and finishing the foyer.    However, I did get a chance to paint the bases and upholster the tops. 

Check them out!

This is the combination that my son choose, white base with the solid fabric.  He thought the patterned fabric that I had looked a little “girlie”.  So to use what I had on hand, we stuck with the solid fabric but I still think he needs some pattern in his room.  I will keep my eyes out for a new fabric. 

I used my dad’s air sprayer to paint the bases using the same paint that was used on the trim in Austin’s room.  For the upholster, I sewed the corners and removed the excess fabric so that it would be nice and tidy and a little less bulky then I used  the Hubby’s air stapler to attach the fabric to the seat base.  Don’t you just love having men in your life with such awesome tools that make your life so much easier?  I know I do! 

I wish I had just a few inches more of fabric.  I had to pull the fabric a bit more than I would have liked to make it work.  Hey but for $2.50 for the fabric I guess I can’t be to fussy!!  Yep, I found that remnant fabric at this great fabric wholesale place close to my house on the floor marked for $2.50!!! Overall I really don’t have much cost into these stools.  They’ve been a great way to use up my (and my parents) STASH.

To keep the underside of the stools looking tidy and professional, I used some scrap black fabric, turned under the edges with iron-on seam tape (Stitch Witchery), and spray glued to the bottom to cover all the fabric edges and staples.

It still needs something.  Some bling.  Some pizzazz.

You get the idea? I’m thinking about adding silver upholster tacks around the base to jazz it up a bit.

Wouldn’t you agree?

I am not finished with my teenage son’s room yet.  For a while now, I have been feeling like he needed some chairs or just something to sit on, and while I have been keeping my eye out for  something beckoning to be made over, I haven’t found anything.  Yet, over and over I kept seeing these sharp looking X Stools.  They are so popular and fit well with a lot of different design styles.  Do you have one in your home?

This one pictured above is from William Sonoma Home – for the astonishing price of $895!

I decided I would make a couple for the end of Austin’s bed, even though he said he didn’t like it and didn’t want it.   I figured these stools will be so flexible that I could always move them in to the “teen lounge” if he really didn’t like them after all.

Now looking at this little stool, I thought it would be easy and quick and I could finish this in a day or two!  Honestly, I started working on a pair over a month and a half ago!!! 

It all started with me wanting to learn how to use Google Sketch-Up.  I spent many many hours trying to self teach myself how to use the program.  I was so excited that I finally had a pattern that I printed off a color copy and took it over to show my parents.   After looking over my design, they quickly told me that it would be stronger if I notched the legs out at the center.  Well, I’m all for making furniture stronger when it comes to having it in a kid’s bedroom. 

Long story short, it can look really good on paper but to printout something that’s useable in terms of a pattern, then you do have to have some woodworking knowledge.  I’m working on it and hope that I can design some projects and patterns that I will be able to share in the near future.

Here is where I am now.  The bases need to be primed and painted and the tops need to be upholster.

Oh, did I mention that I don’t have any money invested it this!!!  Just using up some scrap lumber, foam off an old chair that went to the dump, and some fabric that I picked up cheap a few months back.  Love Love Love me some FREE projects!!!  Have I ever mentioned that I’m cheap frugal thrifty?

 Now my son has several choices to make…..

1. What color to make the base? White or Silver
2. Which fabric?  Pattern or Solid

What combination would you choose?

Come back to see the finished X STOOLS!!