Repurposing
A Piece for Holding Planters
An old five-dollar estate sale stool spent years waiting for its purpose before becoming a colorful plant stand for the backyard at House 173.
This little project stems from a stool I picked up at an estate sale probably no less than ten years ago. I don't really remember much about the estate sale other than it was at a house on what is probably the nicest street in the city. I guess the only other kind of memorable thing about this estate sale was that when I grabbed this bench, the person taking the money made a snide comment about me taking the cheap five dollar stool. Not one to get embroiled in petty arguments, I just paid and walked away.
What Was The Point?
Quite frankly, I don't even know why I bought this silly little stool. Likely, I was just thinking about having a stool for the workshop. Back in those days, my workshop was the only place I smoked in the house, so I was probably looking for a place to sit while having a smoke.
One thing I've learned from years of wandering estate sales, flea markets, and garage sales is that you don't always need to know exactly why you're buying something. Sometimes it's enough to recognize good bones. An old piece of furniture may sit quietly in the workshop for years before the right project finally comes along. That's one of my favorite parts of repurposing, letting an object tell you what it wants to become instead of deciding the moment you bring it home.
Of course, I quit smoking about three and a half years ago now, and one morning, I had the idea it was time to get a new stool for the workshop. Back in 2020 I thought about a barstool kind of thing, and thought maybe they had something at Lowes. I no sooner walked in the store and saw exactly what I was looking for! And a quick $69 later, 173 had an actual shop stool.
Repurposing!
So - no more smoking, and an actual shop stool meant there was no longer a need for the little estate sale stool. But, being the repurposing sort, that little stool hung around until a few weeks ago when it had finally come time to do something with the stool or get rid of it. We chose repurposing it into a piece for holding planters out in the back yard. But it needed painting first. Here's how it started out.
The colors live a remarkable life of their own after they have been applied to the canvas. - Edvard Munch
Well, when we first picked this stool up at the estate sale, the seat was painted. Apparently I removed the paint, and for who knows what reason, I abandoned the project. I think the original plan was to remove the paint and either re-paint or stain it. But - abandoned!
Prepping!
Finally, a couple weeks ago (and I don't know where the immediate motivation came from) I decided it was time to actually do something with this stool. So, up on the bench it went!
I immediately started in with an arsenal of scrapers. The legs and rungs were round and decorative so I knew this was going to be a little work intensive.
Buuut - after a lot less time than I care to admit, I opted for paint remover!
Which made the task so much easier!
After most of the paint was off, I decided to go outside and have at it with the sander. I really should start with the sander a little earlier when I'm doing a project that isn't detail dependent. After all, the stool will be outside all spring, summer and probably fall for as many years as it holds together.
A few of my favorite painted furniture posts:
∙ The Plant Stand - March, 2016
∙ Shoe Rack for the Back Porch - April, 2019
∙ Rustic Book Case for the Front Porch - 2013
∙ Umbrella Stand for the Back Porch - 2011
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
Here's a whole collection of Painted Furniture Posts
Painting!
The original plan was to paint the stool yellow but we didn't have enough yellow paint on hand to be sure the job could be done. What to do? Well, about a year ago I restored a 1929 Rigid pipe wrench. Thinking it would match Rigid's orange (man was I wrong!) I used Krylon's Gloss Pumpkin Orange paint on the tool, which left probably 3/4 of a can in our collection of partially used spray paints.
But after three coats, the paint just wasn't covering very well, although you can't really tell in this picture.
So I went to Lowe's, Walmart and Home Depot to get another can, but it seems the Pumpkin Orange may have been discontinued. So I picked up Krylon's Creamsicle Orange, which seemed to be the closest match. It worked out pretty good and was a close enough match that even if I did miss a spot you wouldn't be able to tell - unless you're one of those people!
I forgive nothing. If you stole my orange crayon in the fifth grade, you’re still on my hit list, buddy. ― Jonathan Carroll
Then, I did the completely unconventional and put a couple coats of clear Flex Seal just to make the stool last a little longer in the weather. No idea if it'll work but there's nothing to lose. I think it turned out pretty nice!
Its Natural Habitat - For Now
It turned out that not having enough yellow paint was fortuitous indeed! The orange looks awesome in the yard, and here's the stool in its new natural habitat!
The orange stool really stands out nice with the green without being too intrusive...
A last look - makes for a nice vignette...
Hey - thanks for stopping by, see ya' next time!
This post reminded me why I enjoy following House 173. On the surface, it's about repainting an old stool, but underneath it's really about how objects gather history. The stool wasn't just rescued from an estate sale, it quietly lived through your workshop years, through the time when you still smoked, through quitting, and finally into a completely different purpose in the garden. Those little life details make the project feel personal instead of instructional. I especially smiled at the orange paint story; sometimes the best design decisions happen because the original plan simply doesn't work out. By the time I reached the final photographs, the stool looked like it had always belonged among the flowers. - The Nostalgic Reader
Frequently Asked Questions
Why repurpose an old wooden stool instead of buying a new plant stand?
Older stools are often sturdier than inexpensive modern alternatives and already have plenty of character. Repurposing them keeps usable furniture out of the landfill while creating something unique.
Do you have to remove all the old paint before repainting furniture?
Not always. If the existing paint is well bonded, sanding may be enough. When paint is thick, peeling, or layered over many years, a paint stripper can save considerable time.
Can spray paint be used on outdoor furniture?
Yes. Many quality spray paints perform well outdoors, especially when applied over properly prepared wood. A protective clear coat can add another layer of weather resistance.
Does Flex Seal work as a clear protective finish?
While it isn't a traditional furniture finish, a clear Flex Seal coating may provide additional moisture protection for decorative outdoor projects. Long-term durability will depend on weather exposure.
What's the best color for a garden plant stand?
Bright colors such as orange, yellow, or red create attractive focal points against green foliage and help small decorative pieces stand out without overwhelming the landscape.
Are estate sales good places to find woodworking projects?
Absolutely. Estate sales often have well-built furniture that only needs cleaning, repairs, or refinishing to begin a second life.
Keywords
estate sale finds, repurposed stool, DIY plant stand, painted furniture, garden décor, upcycled furniture, spray paint furniture, outdoor plant stand, thrift store makeover, repurposing ideas, wooden stool makeover, House 173