Walking on the Wild Side! DIY Counter Stools Get Some DIY Pizzazz
Ahh it’s been quite a journey, me and these DIY counter stools. From narrowing down ready made options to ending up DIY’ing them (see that here) to deciding to embellish them with some extra funk. If you are over on my IG stories you know what I’m talking about, but it’s been a process.
DIY Counter Stools
I had narrowed it down to fringing them, but which color way and how much was the question. I finally had that figured out when I stumbled on the most beautiful feathered trim at Joann Fabrics.
Simplicity Insert Trim 5″ Black and Turquoise
(I used a 50% off coupon bringing it $5/yard, make sure to search Joann’s coupons before you buy to save some $$!)
I pinned it on and it was easily just as cool as the fringe I had been planning on doing. With the added bonus of just the unique factor.
BUT I also knew it would most likely be really delicate. Durable? Hell to the no, but fabulous? Hell to the yes. I stared at both the fringe and the feather versions side by side for a few days and decided that if I didn’t try the feather trim, I would always wonder what it would have been like. And this my friend is where I totally practice what I preach.
I went outside of my comfort zone, as I knew I would be comfortable with the fringe. I went outside of the folks that didn’t hesitate to tell me that they hated this idea on IG. And I did it anyway.
The location and design of the trim is very strategic.
Which leads me to how I did it! From the carefully constructed shaping of the trim to the actual application.
I conducted a very scientific study and carefully observed each member of my family to see how they pull out, sit and push in the counter stools. The results showed me that everyone pulls them out from the top of the back, 70% of us pull it in under our butts via grabbing the sides and 30% grab underneath the seat to pull in. All push back in at the top of the back.
Hands mostly touched the center of the upper back and right along the curve of the arms.
Thus I devised a layout for the trim that would most likely not be manhandled on the daily just from regular use. Of course I am aware this is by no means a solution to the delicacy, and probably likely issues I may have with it. But it does give me the greatest chance to actually make this work.
I also spent a considerable amount of time considering the actual attachment of the trim to the stools. In case of eventual, or probable, breakdown of feathered trim I wanted the option of removing it without completely destroying the stools. Here’s what I came up with.
Tools I used to do this: Liquid Stitch fabric adhesive, fabric scissors, box of pins and 9 yards of feather trim.
And of course the counter stool ready to be befeathered. Here’s a before, lovely but feeling very plain.
Let’s get fancy!
I laid out and cut 6 pieces at 46 1/4″ of feather trim.
Using the really sharp fabric scissors I was able to carefully snip between feathers and get a clean cut with no fraying of the ribbon.
I had already pinned one stool while developing the pattern/design of the trim. So I took those measurements and replicated it on the other 5 tools.
Once everything was pinned into place I went one by one carefully removing one pin, place a drop of glue and replacing the pin to secure for drying.
This is where my backup plan comes into play. I didn’t run glue along the entire trim, rather using only one drop in specific spots would do the job of holding it on there but also give me the option of being relatively easy to remove without causing too much damage later.
All 6 stools were dropped with glue and pinned. Left to dry a couple of hours and when the pins were removed I was left with this!
A glammed up set of counter stools that beautifully blends the blue of the seats with the green and black from the ceiling.
The swoops on the sides are to allow for hands and kind of create this cool framing of the counter. They also almost perfectly mirror the shape of the arm.
Feather boa chairs for everyone!
Snapped this when the sun came out. The depth in the colors and the fun texture the feathers bring really add a sophisticated yet funky element.
How many folks have sat in feathered counter stools?!
This really shows how the design flows from one stool to the next in almost a wavy pattern. It feels cohesive eliminating any jarring to the eye.
Waves, hoola hooping, draping…a soothing movement.
It’s such a big change I’m both loving it and unsure about it. I think partly because it’s so unusual I wonder if I’m crazy for trying it. My daughter thinks it’s more crazy, my youngest thinks it’s awesome and the rest are somewhere in between. Who knows maybe next week I’ll be talking about how I removed it and did something completely different.
Whatever it is, it’s fun for now! I’m loving the the different feel, the incredible uniqueness of it and the fact that I decided to do it despite nay sayer’s and my own hesitation. If you never swing you’ll never hit a home run.
The jury’s out whether it’s a home run but I’m comfortable with saying, it’s at least a solid 2nd base hit.
Are you surprised with this DIY counter stools project? Did you think I would do something this outlandish? Hit me up in the comments I always love to hear from you!
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Maureen S. Donahue
March 30, 2021I am in camp awesome!! Definate home run!!
Tina Bousu
April 5, 2021Hi Maureen! Yay, camp awesome I love it! xoxo
Pat Rutledge
March 30, 2021I’m so excited you went with the feathers! Hey, we only live once so take all the chances you can! There’s no reason to be “normal”, right?
xo
Pat
Tina Bousu
April 5, 2021Pat! Thank you so much, you are so right. Always better to be take a risk! xoxo
Ang
March 30, 2021I don’t think it’s outlandish at all. Totally your style. I love it way more than the fringe. Good job!
Tina Bousu
April 5, 2021Thank you so much Ang! xo
Diane
April 1, 2021Not sure about this update. If it were my project, I think would go with a temporary sleeve of some type to place of the over backs of the stools, add a design to and think about for awhile before it becomes permanent. if you were to use a sleeve of some type, it could be changed out with the seasons and or the holidays.
Most importantly though, is you do, you!
Tina Bousu
April 5, 2021Hi Diane! Totally, that would be a great temporary solution especially if you love to change it up for holiday seasons regularly! xo
Nelly
March 25, 2022Love your designs
Tina Bousu
April 8, 2022Hi Nelly! Thank you, I so appreciate it!