The Pottery Barn Black Finish is a look that I am crazy about. This is really easy to accomplish when you start with a medium wood tone, I even used spray paint. Stick around for the full tutorial below.
Before I get to that I want to welcome you to the first Thrifted and Relifted Blog Hop. We are so happy that you are here with us. The idea is to share a thrifty find that got a makeover. Fun stuff!
We have all been busy and there are some great projects to share. Be sure to see them by following the links to all of your hosts at the end.
Pottery Barn Black Finish Barstools:
I needed 3 barstools for my recent kitchen remodel. I was surprised that they are easily $100 each. I scoured craigslist and found these oak babies straight out of 1982. I got all 3 of them for $25. SCORE! They were the design that I was looking for, plus they were sturdy and comfortable…..but ugly.
BEFORE:
This makeover was really easy, it just took some time and elbow grease. Let’s get started.
Here’s What You Will Need:
- Flat black spray (it took one can per stool)
- vaseline
- sandpaper (220 grit and steel wool)
- Paste wax (I used minwax paste finishing wax)
Step #1:
Sand the stools.
The tops had some sort of polish on them and the paint rubbed right off, so I had to take it down to raw wood. I used a power sander. Yep, love that thing!
Then give them a good wipe down.
Step #2:
I wanted a really time worn look. I also wanted to see a lot of the wood tone. One way to do this is by adding a smear of vaseline to the areas where you want the paint to rub off.
This picture is what it looks like after you rub the paint off of the areas where the vaseline was.
Step #3:
Spray paint.
I turned them upside down first to get the underside of the rungs, then turned them right side up to spray the rest.
Just spray paint right over the vaseline.
Step #4:
Once they are dry, you sand them for that aged look.
I like to sand in multiple directions. I used 220 grit and steel wool. You have to rub harder but it makes a more authentic look and reveals the stain but doesn’t take it all the way to the raw wood. That stain showing through is what gives you the Pottery Barn look.
Step #5:
Use the paste wax to protect your piece and make it come to life. It will darken it and make it look really rich just like an authentic Pottery Barn piece of furniture.
Step #6:
I had to refinish the metal footrest. It was ugly half worn off brass.
So I sanded that brass right off and then sprayed it with the flat black. Then I sanded it again to give it a cool industrial feel that Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware have made so popular.
AFTER:
It was so easy and makes such a statement. I love how they look in my wood and white kitchen. Even though I couldn’t afford actual Pottery Barn stools I can still have the look that I love so much. If you try it let me know how it turns out for you!!!
Thanks for joining in today!!
Be sure to check out all of the projects from your hosts and link up your own makeover below:
Daraka: Farmhouse For Five
Collette: Spindle and Rye
Lara: Junque Cottage
Kellie: Gratefully Vintage
Dara: Hood Creek Log Cabin
Lisa: Gracie Blue
Ty: Little Home Reloved
Kirsten: Bright Yellow Door
Heather: One Horse Lane
This was shared at Remodelaholic. Follow link below:
http://www.remodelaholic.com/friday-favorites-farmhouse-kitchen-filing-cabinet-makeover/
I love these barstools! I love how detailed your tutorial is – they turned out fabulous!! Thanks for sharing for I DIYed that – can’t wait to see what you share next!
Thank you Jen! You are so kind to say so. Love your link up and thank you for including me!
Your stools turned out great! I really like how you made those foot rests look like new. Thanks for sharing with us at Created and Celebrate!
You are so kind! Thank you Susanne!
Love the distressed, industrial look of this barstool! great job! I have a couple bar stools that I wasn’t that happy with – I’ll try using Vaseline to create a distressed look. Thanks for the tips!
Thank you so much! I hope the vaseline works well for you too!
This really looks fantastic! We have plain old saddle stools, they seem so 80’s now.
Thank you!! I think barstools are a safe place to try something new.
I love this makeover! I wouldn’t have thought about how a medium toned wood is a perfect fit for that type of finish. Great to know!
Starting with the stained wood takes out any extra steps! Thank you, I’m so glad that you like it!!
Very cool look! I have two 1980 stools sitting in my garage right now…..hmmm!
You should try it!!!! It’s so easy. Thanks for visiting my blog!
Sometimes when I see a furniture refinish I think I kind of like the original and would never paint it…this is not one of those. I really didn’t like your pre-finish piece. I doubt that I would have had the vision to do what you did with it and they are really charming and look updated and new. thanks for the tutorial and for joining our link party!
Wow! Thank you for such a nice compliment. I know what you mean too. I get sad when beautiful antique pieces are painted, but these did not make me sad at all!!! So funny! So glad that you like the finished product. Thanks again.
Your stools turned out awesome!! I love the tip of using vaseline, I am going to try it on my next project! Thanks for linking up at TaDa Thursday link party!!
Thank you!! I found the tip on Pinterest of course!! But it really works good!
These turned out fantastically! I love them. Great job.
Thank you so much!!!! They were fun to do!
These turned out a treat and look fabulous in your kitchen! Wonderful thrifted find 🙂
Thank you soo much!!! I appreciate being included in waste not wednesday!
I am always shocked at the price for barstools. They are way to little to cost so much! Great find and perfect makeover! I added a little project to the party. I am loving your group! thank for having me 🙂
Oh thank you!!!! I just couldn’t bring myself to pay what they were asking. I’m so glad that you linked up!
These are so pretty and you did such an awesome job!
Thank you so much Lara!!!!
So cute!! I love the way they “pop” in your kitchen!! Fabulous job!!
Thank you Lisa!!! I’m like that about how they turned out too.
These are so cute and look like they would be really expensive! Great job on these!!
I am really happy with how they turned out, thank you so much Daraka. I’m honored to be part of this!!
Wow!! this project is the bomb!!! I love what you did with the stools! They look so awesome and so Pottery Barn! You distressed them perfectly!!
(I’m so happy to be doing the blog party with you, my friend)
I am so happy to be doing it with you too Kellie!! You’re such a great cheerleader, thank you!!!!
These turned out so beautiful! I love the contrast of the black stools with your white island!
I love that you think so. Thank you!!! I figured I couldn’t make them worse!! I’m getting bolder in my choices, it’s fun.
These are STUNNING! Thank you for linking this project up for #iDIYed that!
Aww!! Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words!