Junk Yard Step Chair Redo: $11 Knockoff | Redo It Yourself Inspirations : Junk Yard Step Chair Redo: $11 Knockoff

Monday, July 21, 2014

Junk Yard Step Chair Redo: $11 Knockoff





My old Dodge pickup is rusting. Trying to restore the rusting parts piece by piece, hoping to keep it in good condition, my handy husband went to his favorite salvage yard in search of a fender. He called me when he found one and said, "I've got a fender and there is an old kitchen step stool seat thing here that is getting thrown out. It's really rough. Is it something you are interested in trying to fix up?"  I said "YES! Please and thank you!"  

Rough, but having potential, I intended to redo the step chair in industrial style for the workshop. I envisioned chrome legs and steel diamond plated steps, seat and backrest.  That was... until I saw this... 





 Bicycle Spoke Stool -Industrial Furniture at Milan Direct

Leather and rustic metal.  I love it.   Old world marries the new world.  Intriguingly attractive to me. 

I changed my "diamond plate mind".  

A woman's "right" thing to do.  So I set myself up to replicate my inspirational piece idea. 

"Original junk yard- to- be- thrown- away condition." 



To begin, I had to remove the rusted and padless seat; then remove the damaged backrest.  The seat was attached with bend tabbing.  Carefully bending it away, I was surprised to find the metal still strong;  despite the rust and neglect.  The backrest was secured with four screws.  Easy peasy.  





The original upholstery was a black vinyl. So totally vintage.  It never had a facelift before other than someone's attempt to spray it a copper color. 





I removed the glued on padding from both pieces. 





Then I cleaned and sanded them.





Even though the pieces were not going to be seen, they will be used in their original places. So I sprayed them with a rust preventive paint. 





Also prepped the area where the upholstered backrest goes.




Paint and primer in one was a very simple single spraying step. ($7)



Then I started the sanding process. The steps were the easy part to do. Trying to get the entire chair to the bare metal was the labor intensive part. 





When the seat and backrest parts were dry, I started upholstering with foam pieces. (Scraps from previous projects)





I bought a "pleather" skirt at a thrift store ($3.99)  and opted to use that material.




I really didn't want to use the area with the skirt pockets, but after setting it to see how it looked, I went for it.  Adding a little stitching detail, it became a design statement.  I used sticky glue to attach the fabric to the metal frames, further holding it in place with gorilla tape.  Using memory foam on the seat, the weight of a full can of paint helped to hold the foam down while the glue dried. 





Using a primer and paint in one again, I sprayed on flat black to the entire chair. 




After the paint dried, I sanded to distress some areas allowing the bare metal to show through.





Then, clear coated with Valspar polyurethane to seal the paint and metal for protection. 




After the chair dried, I attached the backrest and seat. 

(Cute pocket.  It has room for a chocolate bar...  for those emergency moments, of course.)






Those who follow me, know I'm a "leather belt lover-recycler".  So of course I had to trim off the seat with an old worn  belt for a little more character.  It had all of the natural distress I wanted done for me.  I removed the backrest supports and drilled a hole through the belt into the original screw holes on the chair.  The belt became secured all around the rim of the seat.

Best part:
Ready to move into the workshop.
And that chunk of metal nearby... that's my salvaged truck fender.  (Hubby's project waiting for him.)  I wanted to use it in this backdrop to be all industrial-like.






An afterthought.  Those come around now and then... I applied glue to belt ends and slid them into both of the backrest supports.  It added a little more "raw" element.







I got the look I love for much less than my inspirational piece.



So now, hubby and I have a workbench chair.  An awesome old one.  Great step up type to use for those higher shelves that I used to use a crate box to get to. 



For just eleven bucks! 






Do you have an inspirational piece too? If so, I'd love to see what you do. 







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Proudly voted as Blogger of the week at: 































My Repurposed Life -Catch as Catch Can 

96 comments:

  1. I am in awe of everything you redo! Amazing! Thank you for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest board.

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  2. What an excellent up-cycle. It looks like a million bucks. Awesome job. I love the pleather addition. :] // itsCarmen.com ☼

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  3. Oh my! What a beautiful job you did. I have always wanted to do this with something old, and I need to gather inspiration from others like you! What a beautiful transformation!

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  4. That is so amazing! I don't know if I would have seen so much potential in that stool, but you really gave it a totally new life. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. This transformation is amazing! Thank you for sharing at the link up party.

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  6. Erica @ Dwell BeautifulJuly 21, 2014 at 8:04 PM

    Oh my goodness, I LOVE this! I actually really like the pocket detail on the back rest - it add something special! And definitely good for chocolate bars ;)

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  7. Quite a transformation...this looks really good! I love how you did it and how you attained your materials to do it. It really looks great...thanks for sharing!

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  8. oh my, you and your hubby make a great team - this was a fabulous refashion! Thanks for sharing with us at the #WWDParty!

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  9. Wow what a transformation that is incredible and I love the use of the belt :)

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  10. This is the cutest redo I have seen in forever. I love it. What a fabulous step stool and then the makeover is amazing. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.

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  11. Wow, what amazing vision! You would never guess that this was a makeover..looks better than new!


    Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning :-)

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  12. WOW! I can't believe that this was handmade! It looks so beautiful, and I love the stitching detail, a fabulous touch. Found you on The Makers via Persia Lou! :)

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  13. This looks amazing! Great work!

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  14. Marie@The Interior FrugalistaJuly 22, 2014 at 12:40 PM

    That is simply awesome! Love your use of an old belt and skirt. This stool brought back memories - we had one just like it when I was growing up. Excellent makeover...far more exciting than the vendor :)

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  15. You're very talented :) Thanks for sharing on Together on Tuesdays :)

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  16. Tracy @ Our Simple LifeJuly 22, 2014 at 1:47 PM

    All I can say is WOW...you did a great job. I have been looking for a chair just like that so now I will start looking harder!

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  17. Awesome job!! Really the use of the skirt ;)


    Pinning it!

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  18. Beautiful chair. I love your play by play on how you did it too! Thanks for sharing at the Wonderful Wednesday blog hop this week. I will be sharing this great redo for triple the love!
    Blessings,
    Shari

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  19. That's fantastic! It truly looks like new

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  20. Thanks so much for joining the Say G’Day Linky Party. We have pinned your post to the Say G’Day Saturday board!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha in Oz

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  21. You are so sweet, Carie! Thank you very much!

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  22. I agree, being motivated by others is quite exciting. I admire what ideas are passed around to us. Thanks, Elizabeth :)

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  23. Sometimes a piece in the worst condition can have the best transformation. I immediately wanted it to be steel diamond plated, but after seeing the industrial stool, this one had to be like it. Thank you, Karen!

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  24. You are welcome! Thank you so much for stopping by! ox

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  25. Isn't funny how the pocket turned out? :) Perfect stash spot for a break at the workbench. Thank you, Erica!

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  26. It was by accident, but a good one! I was a little short on the skirt material and ended up liking it. I'm glad you do too!

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  27. He finds things and mends vehicles. I love his junk yard trips :)
    Thanks, Antionette!

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  28. I think I'm eventually going to be known as the "belt lady" because I love worn leather and adding them to rustic pieces. I think this one really gives the seat character.
    Thank you, Amber, I'm so glad you stopped by!

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  29. Thank you so much, Marty! I'm so glad you stopped by~
    ox

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  30. You are welcome! Thank you for being so sweet and taking the time to visit. :)

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  31. Hi Marlene! I'm glad you like it and took the time to stop by! Thank you!

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  32. I agree, the memories of these step chairs are vivid. They are very heavy and sturdy. I do see them in vintage shops now, and quite pricey. If anyone still has them hanging around, they should realize how much they are sought after. I'm so glad you stopped by Marie, thank you!

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  33. Check out listings on craigslist and freecycle, or do a post in search for one. I hope you can find one. Thanks, Tracy!

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  34. You rock! Thank you so much for the triple love!
    ox

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  35. You are welcome! Thank you and for stopping by!
    Have a great week!

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  36. Great job, love that you used a skirt for the fabric!

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  37. Thanks, Sarah! The benefits of being frugal can be shocking and kind of funny where things come from sometimes.
    Like Scarlett O'Hara making a dress from drapes. :)

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  38. Oh my goodness, this is fantastic. Love the belt trim too. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop. Watch for your feature on Monday. xo

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  39. Pam@over50feeling40July 24, 2014 at 2:58 PM

    This is seriously impressive! You are a talent! Thanks for sharing on the Thursday Blog Hop!

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  40. What an awesome find! I love how you used the skirt....genius! Thanks for coming over and sharing at Happiness is Homemade Link Party, your being featured on Sunday!

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  41. This was one of our readers favourite links at this weeks Marvelous Monday link party. It will be featured next week. Thanks so much for linking up :-)

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  42. Wow wow and more wow! So much detail in your chair. I especially like how you added the belt to the back of the chair. Amazing transformation. Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday.

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  43. I absolutely love it! The fabric (pocket included) looks just like vintage leather, and the belts really finish it beautifully. Pinned this to the Fridays Unfolded Link Board, and thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!


    Alison
    Nancherrow

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  44. awesome job on the handy upcycle

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  45. This is awesome! I'm going to be featuring it on Tuesdays with a twist at GardenUp green next week. Stop by to link up! Carole -

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  46. Love this! Looks absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing at #MerryMonday!

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  47. April @ 100lbcountdownJuly 28, 2014 at 2:26 PM

    You really have a great eye for design. I love how you took that inspiration and could see it in the chair step stool. Thanks for sharing.

    Your co-host from Creative Style Linkup ~~April~~

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  48. This is such a wonderful upcycle, Robin. I saw one of these step stools a few weeks ago and thought something could be done with it but yours turned out so much nicer than even the one in my imagination! Thank you for sharing at Project Inspire{d} ~ I'll be featuring this at this week's party .

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  49. This turn out beautiful. Great work!

    Thanks for sharing at the Teach Me Tuesday Linky Party! Hope to see you there again tonight:)

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  50. This looks incredible! Pinned. Please join us tonight at 7 pm and party with us. We would love to have you! http://loulougirls.blogspot.com

    Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls

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  51. I'm so excited! Thanks so much, Katherine!
    oxox

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  52. Waste not, want not :)
    Thanks so much!!!

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  53. That is amazing! Thank you for having me, Catherine
    ox

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  54. I'm so glad you stopped, Erlene. Thank you so much for the feature! You are so sweet.

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  55. I really appreciate the pin and your stopping by, Alison! Thank you~

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  56. I look forward to the Garden Up! Thanks, Carole!
    ox

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  57. I love your features and so excited to be among them. Thank you, MaryBeth! I'll link up again this week :)

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  58. I'm so glad you stopped by! I'll be back :)

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  59. You are welcome! Thank you for visiting!

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  60. Denyse @ Glitter, Glue & PaintJuly 29, 2014 at 3:15 PM

    Robin, I just love the transformation of this chair. Thank you for linking up to Project Pin-it. I will be featuring your chair this week!!

    xoxo
    Denyse

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  61. My first idea will be used if I find another like this, but the inspirational piece made me jump at this. Thanks for the visit!

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  62. As always, I'll be there :)
    Thanks, Kim!

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  63. You are too awesome! Thank you so much, Denyse!

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  64. What a transformation!!! WOW! I'm featuring it tomorrow over at Power of Paint!

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  65. You are so welcome! Thank you so much for taking the time to visit!

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  66. I will! (Happy Dance!) Thanks, Michelle!

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  67. Great Redo! This is awesome. Thank you for sharing at the Caffeinated Crafters Link Party. Hope to see you this week!

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  68. I absolutely adore this! It is such a great idea and I love how you mix old world and new world! Thanks so much for stopping by and linking to The Creative Exchange! I hope you have time to stop by again tomorrow. Thanks again for sharing!

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  69. What an amazing save! I can't believe how it was before. I am so inspired by your makeover skills. Thank you so much for linking up with The Handmade Hangout at Redouxinteriors. Sharing tonight at the party!

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  70. Gaye @ CalmHealthySexyJuly 31, 2014 at 3:48 PM

    Fantastic project! Thanks so much for sharing with the Let's Get Real party.

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  71. I'll be there Melanie :) Thanks for the visit!

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  72. Eeeeek! Karen! Thank you so much! You are one of my DIY idols and here you are thrilling me! I'm honored!

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  73. So glad to be a part of your party and have you stop by! Thank you, Gaye!

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  74. Cute, cute, cute!!! I love how you used the old skirt and belt!

    Tania

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  75. Just incredible. Thanks for sharing at #theweekendsocial. I love seeing how you transform pieces. Amazing.

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  76. Eeeek! Two features at once! You are so fabulous! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! :)

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  77. Thanks, KC! I'm so glad you stopped by!

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  78. All of this project was recycled. Crazy, huh? :) Thanks, Tania!

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  79. We have one of those stools out in shed. It was my first one I bought at Flea land in Bowling Green KY for $15. I like it better than newer one I have. The steps are bigger to stand on to keep a good hold on being up on a stool for a person with not the best balance. I get dizzy easily due to meds I take. The newer stool I have has such small steps I'm always afraid of falling. (so I've got big feet, sue me).
    Your old ready to throw out stool that has been redone so beautifully inspires me to fix old one up and put newer one out in shed. It's incredible to see what you did with that old stool. You are indeed talented and patient. I will be pinning this so I can refer back to steps you took to refurbish that old stool. Love how it looks now. Great excellent work. Glad I clicked on this. Found this post on City Farmhouse Inspiration Exchange

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  80. I agree with you about these older step chairs being so much better than the new ones. They are built well; and heavy too. I can't believe how well they hold up structurally. The padded seats have always become a bit worn and tattered but certainly fixable. I am so happy you will work on yours. Please share it when you are finished. I'd love to see it. Thank you.

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  81. This is an amazing transformation! I featured you today at Sundays at Home! Thanks for linking up!

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  82. I'm so THRILLED! Thanks so much, Alice! :)

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  83. A skirt for upholstery...genius!! I love that idea!! That would be perfect in my husband's sound room in the garage...heading to the thrift store!! :)

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  84. I hope you get one and I can't wait to see how you do it!
    Thank you :)

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  85. Karisa | Petite Modern LifeOctober 2, 2014 at 4:55 PM

    This is awesome! I'm always looking for ways to use something leather from the thrift shop. I like how you incorporated even the busy pieces of the skirt into it. You also made the task of taking off rust look less daunting! Thanks for linking to Think and Make Thursdays!

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  86. Thank you for having me and visiting! Have a wonderful weekend, Karisa :)

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  87. Holy cow! Color me impressed! What a great find and I love that you used a pleather skirt to upholster it--so resourceful. Thanks for linking up to Think and Make Thursdays! - Tasha @ Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body

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  88. Isn't it crazy how inexpensive it is? I got a lot of bang out of a few bucks. To top it off, hubby and I went to our local Habitat Restore this last weekend and I got a short metal stool very similar to my inspirational piece. ($5) I'll redo it the same. Now we will have a set of matching pieces in our shops.


    I'm so thrilled you visited Tasha! Thank you so much!

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  89. I love, love, LOVE this, Robin! I'm planning to feature it on Think and Make Thursday this week as one of my Bright Ideas. I'm so glad you shared it with us. It turned out amazing! Hope you'll join us again this Thursday at 6 AM ET (or anytime thereafter!)

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  90. Robin, this is awesome! I Love your style. This project was featured over at our ReLoved Fridays and you were our featured blogger this week! Thanks for linking up! I hope to see you again at this weeks party!


    Kelsey @ The Vintage Storehouse & Co.

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  91. Whoa... no way... Blogger of the week? I am so thrilled with the feature! I'm gonna high heel right on over! Thank you so very much for such an honor!

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