Saturday, January 5, 2013

Crazy for Benches and Stools!

Before I show my benches and stools, I wanted to share some very exciting news with you!! I was one of the winners at Whisperwood Cottage's most recent Cottages & Bunglalows Magazine Scouting Party!!! I just received my issue in the mail and it was a dream come true seeing one of my projects in print! I am beyond excited and so grateful!! Ahhhhh!!!!!


Can you believe it?!?!? If you would like to see more of the project go HERE.

Ok. Back to the stools and benches! :)

Over the last few months I've been coming across quite a few stools. I have a hard time passing them up when I see them because they are just so cute and there are so many ways you can redo them!

As for benches, I found three of them two years ago and have finally finished redoing the last one.

The benches originally looked like this: 


The first one turned out like this: 


The second one like this:


And the third now looks like this: 


I used the same concept as my Union Jack pillow to recover the bench with drop cloth and lace. 

I was so excited to get started on the rest of my stools that I forgot to take before pictures, but here are the afters of them all. 



This was a simple unfinished pine stool that I stained in Dark Walnut, painted, distressed and stenciled the grey star on top!



I didn't have to do anything to this stool and I love how rustic is it!

I have been snapping up yardsticks and rulers for a year anytime I see them at estate sales to collect enough to start making some projects with them. I am in love with how this stool turned out!! 






 

Which one is your favorite?

I'm linking to the parties listed HERE and to:
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63 comments:

  1. LeeannJanuary 5, 2013 at 12:12 AM

    The little rustic one is too sweet! My husband's and my plan for retirement is to own a cabin that this little guy would look perfect in :)

    As far as the stools that you actually redid, the yardstick one is incredible and would be perfect in my entryway. I wish I had this kind of talent!

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  2. Jana@Transformations From the HeartJanuary 5, 2013 at 10:33 AM

    You did a fabulous job on all of them. Love the one with yardsticks, I've been collecting them too for the last year just waiting to use them on something. Still need to collect a few more though.
    Thanks so much for inspiring me today!

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2013 at 10:47 AM

    Hey, Suzy! I like them all but my favorite is the yardstick stool. The Carter Lumber yardstick is from a now closed Carter Lumber that was only 3 miles from our house! Well done, my favorite 30 year old niece!

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  4. Spittin-ToadJanuary 5, 2013 at 3:17 PM

    I loved them all so much...I just had to pin them!! But if I had to pick one it would be the Yardstick..or the Star. :) Dang..They're Awesome!
    Denise

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  5. Laurel@ChippingwithCharmJanuary 5, 2013 at 4:48 PM

    They are all so cute!! I LOVE the one with the yardsticks :) Happy New Year!! Laurel

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  6. Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .January 5, 2013 at 6:17 PM

    So hard to pick a favourite! They all look lovely :) More inspiration to keep growing my yardstick collection!

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  7. Jen @ BungalovJanuary 5, 2013 at 7:28 PM

    Seriously? They all look great. Ruler one tho? My fav by far! Nice job!

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  8. Shabby chic SandyJanuary 5, 2013 at 7:45 PM

    I'm such a nut about ruffles--the ruffled one is my favorite!

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  9. UnknownJanuary 6, 2013 at 2:32 AM

    This is a fabulous post on stools ~ I love 'em all!! Especially the one with the rulers and the Union Jack one ~ and I have never cared for any type of Union Jack design before but yours rocks! Great design!

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  10. Linda@Coastal CharmJanuary 6, 2013 at 12:56 PM

    These are all AWESOME...you did a wonderful job on them...it's hard to pick a favorite.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  11. Rose @ Walnut AcreJanuary 6, 2013 at 9:30 PM

    I love the one with the yardsticks and rulers!

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  12. Elizabeth @ Lizzis CreationsJanuary 7, 2013 at 11:41 AM

    Those are gorgeous! I especially love the union jack one.

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  13. AnnJanuary 7, 2013 at 2:00 PM

    They're all wonderful. I do love the yardstick stool. I've wanted to do a project with yardsticks for some time, but haven't come across just the right piece.

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  14. KatieJanuary 7, 2013 at 8:25 PM

    I love these stools! I wouldn't have changed a thing with the rustic stool either! And I love the yardstick stool! Too cute!

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  15. UnknownJanuary 7, 2013 at 8:37 PM

    Nicely done, my favorite is the yardstick stool!

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  16. chateau chicJanuary 7, 2013 at 9:04 PM

    I can hardly resist little stools. Yours are cute, cute, cute!!
    Mary Alice

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  17. KarieJanuary 7, 2013 at 10:22 PM

    I love your stools and benches. They are gorgeous! I too love stools. I am always on the look for them. Thanks for sharing. You have a cute blog. Karie

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  18. Amy KinserJanuary 7, 2013 at 10:24 PM

    Can I just say that they are all my favorite? You did great on each one and they each have their own personality. Great job!

    Blessings, Amy

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  19. Jamie-So Much Better With AgeJanuary 7, 2013 at 11:07 PM

    OMG I love ALL of them. So cute! The ruler one is really sweet though ;)

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  20. Diana of Diana RamblesJanuary 7, 2013 at 11:30 PM

    Love the yardstick one!!!

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  21. foreverdecoratingJanuary 8, 2013 at 10:04 AM

    I too have a love for stools and even wrote a post of a bunch of my stools over the years. You did a fantastic job on all of them. Makes me want to do something with yard sticks too.

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  22. Daena from Bad Rabbit VintageJanuary 8, 2013 at 3:10 PM

    Totally wonderful!

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  23. Laura @ duke manor farmJanuary 8, 2013 at 4:56 PM

    Congrats on your feature. Love your collection of the stools. Love how unique all of them are.

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  24. Rosemary@villabarnesJanuary 8, 2013 at 9:28 PM

    Congrats on your feature. I LUV the stools. All of them!

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  25. KristenJanuary 8, 2013 at 11:41 PM

    Adorable benches! I love all of them! Thanks so much for linking up to Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings. www.ladybug-blessings.com

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  26. Emma Kate at Paint and StyleJanuary 9, 2013 at 8:23 AM

    My favourite is the one with the yardsticks but I'd have any of them in my home, happily! X

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  27. Liz @ Quirky VistasJanuary 9, 2013 at 8:28 AM

    Congratulations, that's fantastic! These are all so adorable, but I do love the yardstick one the best. Such great work!
    Liz

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  28. House Crazy in Michigan!January 9, 2013 at 8:50 AM

    Popped on over from Nick of Time. I too share your passion for stools. I have a few myself and am always on the lookout for more. I have a three year old grand daughter and they sure come in handy for her use. I especially love the diversity of how you finished yours off! I usually paint and recover mine with fabric. You have definitely challenged me to try something new!!

    Small House / Big Sky Donna / White Oak Studio Designs / SW Michigan
    Hand-Painted Vintage Furniture Transformations
    Blog: http://smallhouseunderabigsky.wordpress.com
    Facebook: donnaallgaierlamberti@facebook.com

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  29. Brooke January 9, 2013 at 10:02 AM

    These are all so cute! I love the ruler one! They've been pinned. Thanks so much for sharing your great idea. Have a wonderful day!

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  30. Becky@Beyond The Picket FenceJanuary 9, 2013 at 9:35 PM

    Oh my goodness, I love them all! Thanks so much for sharing and for inspiring others!

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  31. Peggy~PJH DesignsJanuary 9, 2013 at 10:41 PM

    I love these! They are so cute especially the star and ruler ones. Thanks for sharing. Hugs Peggy

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  32. micheleJanuary 9, 2013 at 11:51 PM

    congrats!

    so happy to find your sweet blog via the party!

    when you have a moment, we'd love to have you stop by to say hi!

    smiles to you.

    michele
    hello lovely inc.

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  33. BlissJanuary 10, 2013 at 11:10 AM

    Another super star is born, congratulations. I'm stopping in to pin that little yardstick stool, it is adorable.

    Bliss

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  34. Jacqueline~Cabin and CottageJanuary 10, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    Each stool is a darling project! I love them show all together!

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  35. marieJanuary 10, 2013 at 1:37 PM

    My favorite is the yardstick stool. I saw it on Pinterest and had to come by and tell you how much I love it!!

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  36. UnknownJanuary 10, 2013 at 1:39 PM

    I love them all, and congrats on the magazine feature! I would love for you to come link up at my weekly linky party Thrifty to Nifty Thursdays at A Jennuine Life. I'm working with a couple of bigger bloggers to feature great projects, so I'm hoping to bring fabulous exposure for participants! http://ajennuinelife.blogspot.com/2013/01/thrifty-to-nifty-thursdays-2.html

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  37. Our Pinteresting FamilyJanuary 10, 2013 at 2:25 PM

    They are all so cute! Great job!

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  38. LeisaJanuary 10, 2013 at 4:34 PM

    They all turned out so well! I particularly love the dark, rustic stool... just gorgeous!

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  39. UnknownJanuary 10, 2013 at 7:32 PM

    They are all so cute!!! I think I love the ruler one the best... guess it's the teacher in me! :) Super cute!!! Also, CONGRATS on being featured in a magazine!! What a tremendous honor!!!

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  40. Art and SandJanuary 10, 2013 at 11:40 PM

    Each stool is wonderful. Like so many before me, my favorite is the ruler stool.

    I will be back for more ideas.

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  41. LauraJanuary 11, 2013 at 12:12 AM

    Wow! These stools are all so lovely! I would love to have any-or all- of them in my home:) Congrats on getting published!!!

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  42. Taryn @ Design, Dining + DiapersJanuary 11, 2013 at 1:04 AM

    Holy cow! You are on a roll! I adore every single one of them, but I think the ruler one is my favorite! You have really done a fabulous job. And congrats on being published!

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  43. Laura TurnerJanuary 11, 2013 at 3:03 AM

    Congrats on getting published! Isn't it a thrill? I love all your stools, but my fav is the one with the rulers. I have quite a thing for old rulers--been collecting for a few years.

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  44. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageJanuary 11, 2013 at 10:10 AM

    I like the yard sticks.

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  45. PamJanuary 11, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    I really love the ruler one. I have been seeing a lot of things done that way and it looks so cool.

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  46. Julie{isCocoandCocoa}January 11, 2013 at 11:33 AM

    Love the stool with the rulers! I think my boys would really like using a stool like that.

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  47. TammigirlJanuary 11, 2013 at 11:44 AM

    Three of them are my favorite! I can't say which three because I don't want to hurt the other one's feelings.

    I seem to gravitate towards stools, too. I have five in my bedroom alone.

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  48. Marissa DeenJanuary 11, 2013 at 12:48 PM

    I love the ruler one! :)

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  49. UnknownJanuary 11, 2013 at 4:26 PM

    Oh my gosh I just love all of them!
    You make me want a stool. or 2. or 3 or
    Will be on the lookout now for sure!
    XOX

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  50. Kaysi @ Keeping it SimpleJanuary 11, 2013 at 5:22 PM

    Those look AMAZING!! Congrats on getting published!

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  51. Between Blue and YellowJanuary 12, 2013 at 10:17 AM

    Congrats on the C&B feature, that is so exciting! Love you stools they are adorable.

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  52. AmyJanuary 12, 2013 at 2:46 PM

    I adore the yardstick stool! I found you on the LLR linky party. If you have time, I would love for you to check out my blog. :-) (www.justdoityall.com)

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  53. AnonymousJanuary 13, 2013 at 12:51 AM

    I like all of them. I think my favorite is the ruler stool. Your ideas have gave me a few ideas with stuff I to make a stool for my 5 year old grandchild

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  54. Victoria WalshJanuary 13, 2013 at 12:53 PM

    I loved your yardstick bench! I saw it on Pinterest and it reminded me of a desk my dad recently made in terms of school house charm. I just wanted to let you know I mentioned it on his blog with credit to you of course!

    http://flatriverfurniture.blogspot.com/2013/01/1000-pageviews-and-yard-stick-benches.html

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  55. Allison @ The Golden SycamoreJanuary 13, 2013 at 8:51 PM

    Love, love, love these stools! I can't even pick a favorite, they're all just so cute! You really did such a beautiful job transforming them!
    Allison

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  56. Katie @ Creatively LivingJanuary 14, 2013 at 3:01 AM

    Congrats! That is so exciting. Love those stools too!

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  57. UnknownJanuary 14, 2013 at 8:15 AM

    Oh how I love the yardstick stool! I pinned in to my "Reinventions" board. :) Congrats on the feature, I'll have to check out an issue of Cottages and Bungalows too! :)

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  58. UnknownJanuary 14, 2013 at 5:08 PM

    Thanks so much for linking to Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill. You are being featured later this evening!
    Have a fantastic new year!

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  59. Christina at I Gotta Create!January 14, 2013 at 9:38 PM

    Congratulations on the magazine Melissa! And all your benches are fabulous !

    Thank you for partying with the Wildly Original Crowd.
    <3 Christina at I Gotta Create!

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  60. Good Time CharlieJanuary 16, 2013 at 10:15 PM

    So, so cute!!! Thank you for sharing. I am featuring your cute stools and benches at my party tomorrow afternoon. -K

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  61. My Repurposed LifeJanuary 17, 2013 at 3:02 PM

    love them all! I have a small round stool that I use all the time. I'm just about 4-5 inches too short. It's amazing how much I can reach with that little stool. :)
    great job!
    gail
    ps catching you

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  62. Mindi@MyLove2CreateJanuary 17, 2013 at 3:16 PM

    I love all your stools, they are so cute! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  63. Tattered TiquesJanuary 18, 2013 at 8:20 PM

    The feature in the magazine is a credit to your creativity. You should be so proud! The stools are some of the cutest I've seen. I'll be looking for these when I'm out junking. Thanks for the inspiration.
    Nancy

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