Black and white thrift-store stool makeover

I found this shabby little stool at the Goodwill outlet a few weeks ago for only $2. Nothing special, but it was sturdy and obviously the price was perfect.

I needed a little perch for my basement studio and knew it would be a quick project.

A coat of stain-blocking primer and a couple of coats of my favorite black latex enamel was all it needed. That and some "dipped" gold feet. Because what doesn't look better with gold dipped feet?

But why stop there? I covered the seat with a few layers of quilt batting (because that's what I had on hand) and a black and white houndstooth-y upholstery fabric sample (from this long-ago haul).

It's not really what I would call "cushy," but it's a bit more comfortable. And I'm crazy for black and white right now.

In situ. Yeah, the place is still kind of a mess.

See more furniture transformations here >>

By the pound: Goodwill Outlet finds

Oh, Goodwill Outlet, where have you been all my life?

I have been meaning to get to the St. Louis Goodwill Outlet since it opened over a year ago, but it's not in an area I travel frequently, and frankly, I kept forgetting it exisited. But Dan's mom reminded me of it, and Elise and I made our first visit last week.

The whole time I was there, I just kept saying to myself, "This is crazy." The bins are packed full of stuff and junk and clothes and trash all in a big jumbled mess. There's broken glass and empty plastic bags. Things with lots of pieces are scattered everywhere. But if you look hard enough, you will uncover the gems! 

But the most unbelievable part? It's all sold by the pound: 39 cents a pound for glassware and books and 79 cents a pound for everything else! Crazytown.

My haul? Picture frames, a couple of framed mirrors, a self-healing cutting mat (didn't really need another one, but for less than $1, I had to rescue it), a metal box, a vintage trophy from 1946, a metal square ruler, and some things to paint on. For an idea of scale, that green cutting mat is 18" x 22".

And a vintage photograph of a ski team of some sort! A free bonus, since it's practically weightless.

Oh, and some things for Elise!

People, we found Toodles. Don't worry. Everything has been thoroughly disinfected.

Can't wait to see what we bring home next time!