Trash to Treasure

They always say “One mans junk is another mans treasure”. I can prove it and it’s not the first time. 

We set out to take our normal afternoon walk. The next street over was a house that had just sold and they were gradually throwing trash to the side of the road on Sunday evenings. The trash truck would pick up on Mondays. This day as we walked past, I saw an old vintage step stool waiting for the big truck to come along and scoop it up. I pointed it out to Nick and said “I like that old stool. I could fix that up”. He just sort of shrugged his shoulders and had a look on his face that suggested I didn’t need any junk at that house. We kept walking and I didn't think much more about it. 

Before we turned down our road to finish our 2 mile walk, he said “Do you really want that stool? If you do, we can walk back over there and get it.”
Of course I said yes and we headed that way. I was hoping it was still there and it was. 

 


As I was carrying it back home, I was telling Nick all the ideas I had for it. I figured if I look at it a while and decide I didn’t want it, I would just throw it back to the curb or see if my neighbor wanted it for her little antique booth. 

I decided to keep it and use it as a plant stand on my patio. It looked in pretty bad shape and I was losing any hope that it would look good enough to ever bring into the house. I took my chances anyway and we headed to the hardware store. I needed some sand paper, paint and new leg tips. I also went to the dollar store and picked up a cheap thin rug to use for a step cover. 


2 hours and 10 dollars later, It did not look like the same stool. My idea worked. 

 

The rust was only surface rust and I was amazed at how well it painted. It took less than a can of spray paint and only one coat. 
I still plan to use it as a plant stand on my patio but I have it inside for now while I admire how cool it is.  








10 comments

  1. You did GOOD!!! I love it and I would so have rescued it if I had found it like you did!!

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  2. Now I am smiling. I love what you did with the step stool. Not only sort of an antique, but that design is VERY flexible. We do about 2 miles also. And YEP Saturday we passed a beautiful deck table. Sherry said we should replace the one on our deck. We kept walking. I asked her if she really wanted it, YES! JAck jr and I drove over with my trailer and picked it up. Almost the same scenario you gave, except I won't even have to refinish it, just clean it up.
    I enjoyed the read and being with you on your walk...

    Sherry & jack over in your old hometown.

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  3. WOW! Lisa you did an amazing job with this makeover. It will look beautiful decorated with flowers.

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  4. Oh I would have kept that too. It's a great old step stool and you made it look fabulous again.

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  5. Wow, that is a trash to treasure makeover! I love the color you painted it too.

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  6. This is a great makeover! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ's - you are being featured on my blog Tuesday evening.

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  7. Fantastic step stool makeover. I love the green:)
    Hugs,
    Kippi

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  8. Well isn't that adorable!!! I just love a good trash to treasure! Some would throw it out...but your made it gorgeous:)

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  9. I inherited an exact step stool from my dad. I painted it an enamel black and I use it all the time. I used it in my classroom for years. It is one of the sturdiest step stools I have ever owned. I was so glad to see your tag Durham Mfg. from Muncie, IN. I always thought it was from Cosco which is based in my town. I have found several online and $60.00 is the cheapest one I could find. I love the green color and what a bargain!

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