I’m so excited to share this dipped leg furniture makeover with you because it’s a trend I’ve been wanted to try for ages!
What’s This Pinterest Challenge All About?
I tackled this dipped leg furniture makeover as part of a Pinterest challenge. We’re probably all guilty of pinning tons of great ideas but never finding the time (or motivation) to actually do them. I have had moderate success in that department and have really been committed to trying DIY projects I’ve pinned to Pinterest. I pinned painted wine bottles before I tried mine and the many white ceramic things I pinned inspired my ceramic bird makeover. I tackled a piece of artwork I pinned. I even made a play kitchen after pinning some ideas!
But still, I have oodles of ideas pinned, so I really needed the push to tackle another pinned project, instead of pining for it longingly. So thanks Sherry, Katie, Kate and Michelle for another Pinterest Challenge.
Challenge accepted.
Dipped Furniture Leg Inspiration:
I really like “dipped” furniture legs (having already “dipped” some wooden spoons):
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| Sources: Apartment Therapy; Design*Sponge; Design Love Fest; The Sweet Beast Blog |
Secret: two of the legs above only looked dipped because the natural wood was left bare while the rest was painted.
My Dipped Leg Furniture Makeover:
Because I am slowly, but diligently, working on making the basement pretty, I’ve been wanting to spruce up some of the furniture that dwells down in the pit of despair. I have thought about axing this stool (a yard sale find) so many times, but it’s ridiculously useful. Such a workhorse: from holding my palette when painting to balancing a laundry basket when I am begrudgingly doing laundry, it’s become a basement staple. But it was a little plain . . . and paint stained. And sad:
It was the perfect contender for a dipped leg furniture makeover!
How to Tackle a Dipped Leg Furniture Makeover:
The project was super simple:
- I sanded off the dribbled paint with a belt sander
- Nest I spray painted the bottom of each leg using a brushed metallic silver (the same one I used for the stenciled mirror frame), applying multiple, thin coats.
- Once dry, I measured and taped off the legs.
- Then I applied my favorite mis-tinted black paint using a brush (leftover from painting the railing and the frame for my black & white DIY painting).
- I applied two coats to cover the bare wood stool.
- Optional: I can also add a coat of Varathane clear finish to protect the surface.
Now this simple stool is chic enough to even spend some time on the main floor (an honor for a former basement dweller), positioning our fan (right in our faces) to help keep us cool for movie night!
The verdict: now that I’ve dipped my toe (had to say it) in this trend, I love the look. All furniture legs in the townhouse are fair game from now on. Have you tried this trendy dipped leg furniture makeover yet? See the rest of the Pinterest Challenge Projects here: Young House Love, Centsational Girl, Bower Power & Ten June!
P.S. Don’t Forget to Pin for Later!
Love it! I almost did this for the challenge as well. I have a bench I want to try it on. I'll have to do it soon anyway!
Great minds think alike! Wonder how many other dipped things will be linked? I bet your bench will be gorgeous.
Szuper! Olyan mint egy régi fotóállvány. Nekem is kell egy ilyen! Már csak egy szék és egy ventilátor hiányzik hozzá 🙂 Tényleg nagyon tetszik!
Köszönöm szépen ;)Igazad van: olyan mint egy régi fotóállvány! Mosolyogtam.
Looks great! Very chic. And the fan is a nice addition :)My hearing isn't so great – if I had a fan in my face on movie night, I'd have to have the captioning on. Even in the best of times, I'm always saying, "what did he say??" lol
The last few days, it was too hot for me to care, lol. We must listen to movies loud enough for our neighbours to hear! Actually, given it's a townhouse, I can guarantee it. It finally cooled off . . .
It's lovely! Also…where the heck did you get that fan?!
The Real Canadian Superstore, about 8 years (maybe more) ago. It was a B-day gift for Hubs, before we lived together. Sneaky me, right? Buying him gifts I now get to enjoy. Clever girl.
I love it! I was thinking of adding some dipped legs in my sideboard project! Great job, as always 🙂
Thanks Amy! Definitely go for it – your sideboard will look great, can't wait to see it 🙂
wow I love this! you made such a simple thing look so sleek and fabulous! I could even do this it looks so easy!
So funny – I clicked on this link from Young House Love and lo and behold you're behind this awesome project 😉 I've been wanting to try dipped furniture for awhile (I also have some of that abused and neglected basement furniture), but haven't got around to it yet. What kind of brush did you use for the black? It looks like you avoided the dreaded brush stroke!
Ha ha, you can never escape Dans le Townhouse! You know, I used my rattiest painting brush – nothing special. But the paint is a nice quality, nice and thick but not too thick, and that helped. I think also the wood grain, being an unfinished piece, really grabbed the paint and masks any brush strokes. Can't wait to see you dip your basement furniture!
I love this trend but haven't tried doing it myself yet. Your stool came out awesome!! I love how you're using it too. Very cute!
Thanks! In the winter, it will probably be demoted back to basement laundry basket perch. But it will have had its day in the sun, lol.
Love the color combo.
Thanks!!
Great job! It looks great!
Beautiful! I love the dipped leg look. I color blocked some bentwood chairs and dipped the legs too. http://www.willscasa.com/2012/03/color-blocking-process/It wasn't my pinterest challenge, but figured I would share anyway!
I've been lurking on your blog and your chairs are AWESOME!! So much more labor-intensive than my little makeover. Thanks so much for sharing, your blog is great!
Haha thanks! It probably wouldn't have been so time consuming if I didn't have to do 8 chairs. Totally worth it though. Thanks for lurking! Love your blog!
I was totally thinking of doing this for a chair we have. Thanks for inspiring me again. Your blog is soo cool.
Definitely go for it (and show my photos!)Thanks for your kind words. I'm happy to hear you like the blog 🙂
I love this look! I always wonder which to paint first the legs or the rest of it, now I know!Jessicastayathomeista.com
It just made it easier for me to do the "dip" first, because I used spray paint for it and brush-on paint for the rest. If I painted it black and then tried to spray the legs it would have been a mess. But you could spray paint or brush on the main colour, then tape off and apply the "dipped" paint with a brush, too. I think the only rule is to let one coat dry before taping!
Wow, this looks great! I love the colors!
It looks really fantastic. Love how you gave it such an elegant and formal twist.
Thanks! It sure is amazing how just paint can elevate a lowly bare wood stool, isn't it?
Oh my goodness! This transformation is incredible. I see those stools all the time and always thought they were a lost cause – you proved me wrong!!
looks awesome, tonya! i am a huge fan of the dipped look. 🙂
Very cool!
You did such a great job tanya! Im totally loving this trend right now as well! Did you have to sand the bottom of the chair? Great post 😉
nvm…you did sand it!
I sanded the paint off (the dribbles from using it as a palette holder). If I hadn't been so messy, I could have skipped that step because the wood was bare. If you buy a finished stool, I suggest lightly sanding and then priming and painting.
I see…thanks Tanya for the tip 🙂 I love the contrast of black and gold though, such a banging color combination. Are you using these stools in your kitchen now? They'll look pretty good there with the new bowl you got !
Thanks! It's actually a brushed silver, but looks like a soft gold from some angles because it is so warm.The stool is currently a fan-stand but then it will live life in the basement, which I'm still working on sprucing up. I hope it add a bit of chic-ness to the space.
Oops! Sorry….silver and gold is STILL a banging combo :). Definitely keep us posted with the basement progress 🙂 Love to see more photos. We finally finished our pinterest challenge …took forever but its done yay! Check it out and let us know what you think Tanya! (how2home.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/how-to-multi-colored-backdrop/)
Love it =) I've been meaning to try this out too and you've just given me the inspiration to go for it. Thanks!!
Happy to help! I hope to see your project . . .
I love it Tanya!! The black and silver look gorgeous together.Loving that fan too 🙂
Thanks!
I've been wanting to do this!!!! love it!!!!
Great makeover on that stool! Love the colours you chose too. Great Pinterest Challenge project choice.xoShannon
I love it!! Totally caught my eye among the other 100's in The Pinterest Challenge!! It turned out great!! 🙂
Aww, thanks! That's fabulous to hear 🙂
I love this look, but can't think of anything I can paint in this way. Perhaps I'll have to go shopping… The black and silver look amazing together – great choices.
Love, love, love! Now I'm tempted!
Hello, gorgeous! The black and silver are so classic elegant. I feel like everything I see these days is gold or brass, so the silver is refreshing. Btw, I linked up my paintings to the pinterest challenge that were inspired by your simple yet striking DIY. So I guess you participated in the challenge twice. At least twice since I wouldn't be surprised if you inspired (pinspired?) some others, too 🙂
I think I've added maybe one or two elements of gold, but I just can't help but favor the crispness of silver. I picked a "warm" silver, so that's my compromise, lol.So exciting you linked up your paintings! They were so gorgeous, I'm sure they generated a lot of interest for your blog.Thanks for your kind words. You made me smile 😉
Classy, as usual Tanya! Your photos are so clear, bright and beautiful.
Okay, here's a great example of what I meant in my earlier comment – you have the BEST projects! I love your stool, and of course, will have to pin this one, too! Great job!!!
Awww, thanks Sheila!! That means a lot to me.
These turned out amazing! They look so chic. Now I want to try it!
I don't know what I love more – the stool, or the Princess Bride reference.
The reference! Yay! So happy you got it – that's why we're friends 😉
That looks great! I'm looking for some new barstools for my kitchen. Maybe I'll do something like that on mine!~em @ small girl, big world
Beautiful execution! I love that you chose black and gold. They look nice in that room.MyersMaison.blogspot.com
Gorgeous Tanya! I am about to do this to my bistro chairs!
Ooo, can't wait to see!!
Like how the dipped legs came out.Bernadettewww.b3hd.blogspot.com
This seems to be a popular DIY project. I'm really liking the look of your stool- such an improvement!
I love it-what an improvement!
Just love how this turned out! I'm thinking I may need to dip my kitchen stools now …Oh, and your photography is AMAZING! Seriously. Magazine page quality!:)Linda
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! You know I had to pin it!
Wow! I love it, Tanya! You always have the best projects. This is awesome! Great photography too!
This is gorgeous – the colors are beautiful together!( and I love your fan too )Your newest follower – would love to have you come by andfollow back when you canHugs,
So beautiful and the fan is a beaut.