blogs
Project: Step stools
Our 2-year-old is in the "I do it" phase of her little life. This means she's eager to brush her teeth on her own, but she still needs a little boost to reach the sink. So, I decided to hand down her older sister's step stool to give her a step up. In doing so, I had to purchase a new stool for the oldest daughter. If you are like me, you'd rather get exactly what you want and personalize items, than rely on store-bought blandness. Here’s how you can turn an ordinary step stool into a customized creation:
What you need
White or raw wood step stool. I used white stools available at Target. (Small, $16.99, left, Large, $29.99, right)
Acrylic craft paint
Acrylic paint brushes:
--small (for detail work and letters)
--medium (larger designs)
--large (for all over base coat)
Newspapers or drop cloth
Krylon Clear polyurethane spray (gloss or mat depending on the finish you want)
What to do
STEP 1: Preparation
Decide what color scheme you want to use.
What color scheme did you use and why? Then, layout newspapers or drop cloths underneath stool.
STEP 2: Painting
Start with a base coat and let dry. I chose to stick with the existing white base coat.
STEP 3: Design
Depending on the color of the base coat, use darker or lighter colors to paint designs such as stripes, polka dots, crowns, stars, etc. Be creative.
After paint dries, add details to shapes with lighter or darker colors to create depth.
STEP 4: Personalization
In pencil, write your child's name on stool. If you're steady with the paintbrush, you can try this in script, otherwise use print letters, which are much easier to paint. Use a small brush and paint over pencil. Let dry and repeat step until pencil is no longer showing. Add any other details to shapes, name, etc. and allow to dry.
STEP 5: Finishing touch 
In a well ventilated area, preferably outside, place stool on paper or drop cloth and spray with polyurethane spray. Follow instructions on spray can. Recoat in one hour. Dry overnight.
Estimated time, start to finish: 4 hours (not including drying times)
Tips 
For a more distressed look, I brushed on a copper (metallic) top coat and wiped off excess in a circular motion. You can also take a light sandpaper and rub the edges to remove paint in some areas.
Don't get discouraged. The more you do the more finished the project will look.
Heather Witherspoon is an editor/blogger for www.mom2momdfw.com
Food on my shirt!
Learning to love the chaos of raising two head strong girls. My husband says "they are just like their mama".
Our 2-year-old is in the "I do it" phase of her little life. This means she's eager to brush her teeth on her own, but she still needs a little boost to reach the sink. So, I decided to hand down her older sister's step stool to give her a step up. In doing so, I had to purchase a new stool for the oldest daughter. If you are like me, you'd rather get exactly what you want and personalize items, than rely on store-bought blandness. Here’s how you can turn an ordinary step stool into a customized creation:
What you need
White or raw wood step stool. I used white stools available at Target. (Small, $16.99, left, Large, $29.99, right)
Acrylic craft paint
Acrylic paint brushes:
--small (for detail work and letters)
--medium (larger designs)
--large (for all over base coat)
Newspapers or drop cloth
Krylon Clear polyurethane spray (gloss or mat depending on the finish you want)
What to do
STEP 1: Preparation
Decide what color scheme you want to use.
What color scheme did you use and why? Then, layout newspapers or drop cloths underneath stool.
STEP 2: Painting
Start with a base coat and let dry. I chose to stick with the existing white base coat.
STEP 3: Design
Depending on the color of the base coat, use darker or lighter colors to paint designs such as stripes, polka dots, crowns, stars, etc. Be creative.
After paint dries, add details to shapes with lighter or darker colors to create depth.
STEP 4: Personalization
In pencil, write your child's name on stool. If you're steady with the paintbrush, you can try this in script, otherwise use print letters, which are much easier to paint. Use a small brush and paint over pencil. Let dry and repeat step until pencil is no longer showing. Add any other details to shapes, name, etc. and allow to dry.
STEP 5: Finishing touch
In a well ventilated area, preferably outside, place stool on paper or drop cloth and spray with polyurethane spray. Follow instructions on spray can. Recoat in one hour. Dry overnight.
Estimated time, start to finish: 4 hours (not including drying times)
Tips
For a more distressed look, I brushed on a copper (metallic) top coat and wiped off excess in a circular motion. You can also take a light sandpaper and rub the edges to remove paint in some areas.
Don't get discouraged. The more you do the more finished the project will look.
Heather Witherspoon is an editor/blogger for www.mom2momdfw.com
Comments
Um, I rely on "store-bought blandness." Do you take custom orders? :) Seriously, that stool is adorable!