DIY Rustic Milking Stool

DIY Rustic Milking Stool

My most recent thrift store find was this plain wooden , bar height sized, stool.   While the stool is used and has a crack in the seat, it is otherwise in great shape.  Perfect for me to destroy the aforementioned bar stool and make him into a much shorter milking stool.

I approached the stool, if it was marked anywhere from 5-8 dollars it was mine.  Sadly,  it was marked $10.  Would I give up this great stool for only a $2 difference? Obviously not.  I   think I can justify my purchase, since I believe I can get 2 projects from this one stool.

This genuinely  rustic Swiss farmhouse milking stool was my inspiration.   If you would like to buy him, I’ve included the link, though you might reconsider when you find out his selling price is $370 with a $95 shipping fee.

 My $10 cost doesn’t seem so much now. 😀 

Use a level to mark your cut line and make sure all of your legs are the same height.  Go completely around the stool and mark the entire cut line with a pencil.

Use a jigsaw or other small saw to make your cuts.

I’ll save those legs for another project but I already have my milking stool.  He just needs to look  a bit more rustic.

Sand down your entire stool making sure to round off the cut end on those legs.

Now I’m going to layer on the paint.  First up, a thin layer of gray chalk paint.  You really don’t have to be neat, most of this will  eventually be covered up or sanded off.

FYI, you really don’t need to add as many layers as I did.  Do whatever moves you and use whatever paint you have on hand.

Second layer, white.  This was applied with a block of wood and just rubbed across the surface.

Final white layer.

Third color, black.  This was applied with a very dry brush just barely touching the surface.

Next up, Elmer’s white school glue.  A fairly thick coat, though I’m only using this on 1/4 of the entire top.  Try to paint in only one direction and don’t overwork the glue.  Let dry slightly, about 5 minutes.  

Once the glue  has started to try, gently paint over the glue with your top color.  Don’t let the glue dry completely and try not to disturb the glue too much while you’re painting.  

The drying glue with the paint on top will give you a slight crackle feel, looking like aged paint.

When all your layers of paint and glue have dried it’s time to hit this guy with a sander once again.  Concentrate mostly on the edges and anywhere else a normal rustic milking stool would have received the most wear and tear.

The final coat (I promise) is to further age the milking stool with a coat of antique wax.  Just paint on and wipe off the excess.

A perfectly aged, faux antique, wooden milking stool.

I just wanted a slight crackle on this project.  For a more in depth crackle tutorial check out this past post.

Use the stool as a occasional side table to hold your drink.

Use it next to the fireplace for extra seating for the little one.

Or use as a step stool in the kitchen for those hard to reach cabinets.

Be on the lookout for those wooden bar stools, and as always, stay inspired.

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