I aged the same Ikea stool. I sanded the treads to make it look worn. Then I painted the whole thing an ochre colour. I took a candle to areas which would normally look worn. Then I painted the whole thing a blue/grey and rubbed the paint off the waxed areas. My14-year old son doesn’t understand. But it looks good.

What I’m really crazy about is the yellow card catalog!! It is fabulous.

I second the love for the yellow catalog. Gorgeous!!

Awesome. I just bought one of these stools last weekend and was kinda sad about how ugly it looked. Can you just use regular acrylic on the wood or do you have to go to the hardware store and buy a special wood paint?

When I tried to age mine I used artists acrylic for an undercoat but exterior paint for the outside – it’s what I had on hand.

I think that acrylic would tend to peel and lift.

Fine Before, but way cool After! I hate going to IKEA now b/c all I want to do is makeover all their stuff, but I can’t (no time, no money). :(

Pandora: Would love to see a pic!

Catherine & Rachel: I know, we’re so lucky we got our hands on it! My husband teaches high school and their library got rid of all the “old school” catalogs because they’re totally obsolete?!

Sara: I used acrylic/latex that I had on hand and figured since the stool isn’t finished it would stick. Fingers crossed against the peeling! I also used many coats of “outdoor” Mod-Podge to protect against all the foot traffic.

Kristan: Yes, I have to exercise extreme will power to stay away from garage sales and flea markets for the same reason…sniff.

This is funny…I just bought that same stool, bought some Snow and Graham paper at paper source, and was about to do the exact same thing this weekend–I’m glad to see how it will turn out!

This is one of the most adorable step stools EVER!!!!! Great job! :)