From One Childhood to Another: Restoring a Vintage Child's Stool
Every piece of vintage furniture has a story.
Some have lived quietly in attics or basements for decades. Others have been handed from one family member to the next, collecting memories along the way.
This little metal stool belonged to the husband of a dear friend when he was just a child. It had previously been used by his big sister (hence the pink color). Years later, it found its way to me in need of a little love—and I immediately knew I wanted to preserve its story while giving it a fresh new look.
Today, that same stool has begun creating memories all over again, this time with my own grandchildren whenever they come to visit.
That, to me, is the very best kind of furniture makeover.
Before
Time had certainly left its mark.
The finish was badly worn.
The original seat covering had seen much better days.
Years of use had left scratches, chipped paint, and plenty of character.
Despite its appearance, the stool was still solid and well built—the perfect candidate for restoration instead of replacement.
Removing the Old Seat Covering
The first step was removing the worn carpet that had been attached to the seat.
Once it was removed, I could see the original seat underneath and prepare it for painting.
Sometimes the hardest (or most educational and fun, depending on your perspective) part of a makeover is removing years of previous repairs before the real transformation can begin.
Painting the Stool
For this project I wanted soft vintage colors that would feel cheerful without looking overly modern.
I painted the body of the stool using:
DIY Paint – Apothecary
Apothecary is one of my favorite soft vintage greens. It has a calming, timeless feel that works beautifully with antique furniture and cottage-style decorating.
To add a little contrast, I painted the trim using:
DIY Paint – Old School
The combination gave the stool just enough definition while keeping the overall look light and fresh.
One of the reasons I enjoy using DIY Paint is its heavily pigmented, clay-based formula. It provides excellent coverage and creates the beautiful matte finish that works so well on vintage furniture.
Protecting the Finish
Once the paint had fully cured, I sealed everything with:
Big Top protects the painted surface while preserving the soft, velvety appearance of DIY Paint.
Because this stool would soon be used by energetic little grandchildren, durability was especially important.
Adding the Finishing Touch
Although I loved the new paint colors, I wanted the stool to tell a little more of a story.
The perfect finishing touch was the beautiful IOD "Midnight Garden" Transfer.
Its delicate floral design transformed the stool from a simple painted piece into something that feels almost like a treasured keepsake.
After applying the transfer, I sealed everything once again with DIY Big Top Liquid Top Coat to protect the design for years of future use.
Finished Reveal
Today this little stool sits in our home waiting for the next generation.
Whenever my grandchildren come to visit, they climb onto the very same stool that once belonged to another little child many decades ago.
Furniture like this reminds me why I love upcycling.
Sometimes we aren't simply restoring old furniture.
Sometimes we're preserving childhood memories.
And sometimes we're creating entirely new ones.
Products Used
- DIY Paint – Apothecary
- DIY Paint – Old School
- DIY Big Top Liquid Top Coat
- IOD Midnight Garden Transfer
(Available at Crazy 4 Castors.)
Final Thoughts
One of my favorite things about refinishing vintage furniture is knowing that every project has another chapter waiting to be written.
This little stool has already served one family well.
Now it's ready to serve another.
I hope it will continue welcoming little feet—and making new memories—for many years to come.