January 21, 2013

DIY monogram stool - color outside the lines

Happy King Martin day! (as Amelia calls it)

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We’ve been fighting ear infections and some sort of stomach bug so besides a nice long walk; we didn’t get to do much. And tied to the house to monitor temperatures and naps, my hands were fidgeting for something to do.



Enter the victim.

A wonderful little stool my mom and I picked up at a salvage store a while back. It’s the perfect height for the girls and they love using it as a chair/ladder/stuffed animal fort/who knows what else.

This little dude is old though and has the marks to prove it. And to remove all of the layers of paint, scratches and dents would have taken more patience than I possess. So I embraced his battle scars and after a good sanding, declared him ready for paint.

I used spray paint I had left over from this project, and after a few coats step one was complete. Next was adding a bit of fun. My dear friend, and graphic design guru, helped me come up with a monogram for the girls (Amelia and Eve – not Arts and Entertainment). Modern and fun, I love it.


She also gave me the best advice ever. When I told her how much I was dreading cutting out the monogram stencil (remember, me and negative space don’t mix) she uttered two genius words – graphite paper.


$2.99 at Michael’s (minus 40% with their ubiquitous coupon) and I had myself an outlined monogram. Couldn’t have been easier. How did I not know about this genius paper?!

bad basement lighting
After tracing the monogram on the stool I grabbed some leftover navy paint, borrowed a paintbrush from the girls and got to work.


Keeping with the ‘not perfect’ theme of this stool, I tried not to curse (too much) over my coloring outside the lines. Flaws are good right?! Flaws = character. (just keep repeating that to yourself like I do)


If you follow me on Facebook, like all cool people do, then you know I made a game time decision to add the border...using a dinner plate and painters tape of course.


Lovely.

A great stool for two fabulous girls in one of my all time favorite color combos. Outside the lines and perfect.

Try any DIY projects this weekend? Ever used graphite paper? I tell you, I'm looking for something else to create just so I can use it again!

25 comments:

  1. it's so cute!!! i love the pink and navy! and i prefer non- perfect writing. too perfect looks too fabricated to me!

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  2. This is the cutest thing ever. I'm pretty crazy about pink and navy. Have you found your perfect navy yet? I'm having two chairs painted navy high gloss. I haven't found the name of it yet for you, but I'm looking. I thought it was a true, gorgeous navy.

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  3. Seriously girly cute. I love the "dinner plate" boarder. Whatever navy you used....it's a good one. Sorry to hear about the stomach bug. I remember the days of temperature reading. Now, it's like....do you feel hot?

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  4. Love the monogram - and I bet the girls love it too!

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  5. Oh Elizabeth! Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. This little stool is darling. You saved it's life and gave it a brand new place and purpose. Youareawesome...............

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  6. Very, very cute! Thanks for the graphite paper tip!

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  7. So fun!! I love the color combo so very much...I will admit arts & entertainment popped into my head...oops! Looks great, as usual!!

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  8. awww wow, what an adorable DIY! Looks amazing!

    xx
    
Holly Foxen Wells

    GlamourMash

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  9. Very cute! I love navy and pink.. how perfect that it is the perfect height for them!

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  10. Good sick day project! You went in the basement?!

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  11. That's adorable! It will go down in Family History as a great piece and a fun day!

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  12. OMG how fabulous! Love the colors that you chose!

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  13. Looks great and I love the navy + pink combo!

    www.chattafabulous.blogspot.com

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  14. Ohh I love navy and pink! This is so cute and I quite like that it's imperfect because the stool has it's battlescars anyway, it totally works. Will have to remember the graphite trick! So sorry about the bug, hope everyone is feeling better soon xxx

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  15. super cute preppy chair dear. great job!

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  16. That is so cute! I love the creative dinner plate and painters tape solution. I hope you are all feeling better!

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  17. So fun ~ monogram, pink and navy ~ preppy all the way!

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  18. So cool! Your little ladies will get lots of use out of it, I'm sure!

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  19. this is sooo cute! I love this project and totally have been meaning to get that graphite paper for future projects- I think its time I save those coupons and get some already!

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  20. I love it! I really like the font you chose!

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  21. Love your colorful home and style! Isn't that graphite paper amazing - best thing since sliced bread!

    Great idea to use a plate on the trim!
    Kelly

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  22. Just hopped over to this and LOVE LOVE it. The border added so much pop and I love the color combo. That logo is awesome and looks perfect as you did it

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