| Picture-Frame Footstools |
From "DIY Crafts"
episode DIC-121 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
Alexa Lett of the design company Harmony Inc. creates a footstool from a picture frame. The stools can be made large or small, elegant or amusing. Materials:
Picture frame
Fabric
1/4" plywood
Saw, electric or handsaw
2"-thick upholstery foam
Scissors
Spray paint
Liquid acrylic paint
Brush
Clean cloth
Staple gun
Hammer
Nails long enough to go through 1/4" plywood and into the frame
Optional: electric drill
Trim, braid or fringe long enough to go around the entire edge of the frame
Hot glue and glue gun
Four matching screw-in curtain-rod finials - Select a picture frame for the stool base. If you like the finish, leave it as is. If you want to change the color, spray the frame with several light coats of paint. Follow manufacturer's instructions, and allow enough time to dry between coats.
- To add an antique or country look to the frame, pour white acrylic paint in a dish. Dip a corner of a clean cloth into the paint, and lightly wipe it over the frame. This will add a "whitewash" effect. Allow to dry (figure A).
- Cut a piece of plywood the same size as the outer dimensions of the frame. Paint it the same color as the frame (figure B). Cut a second piece of plywood the dimensions of the opening of the frame. This piece will be covered with fabric, so you don't need to paint it (figure C).
- Cut a piece of 2" upholstery foam the same size as the smaller piece of wood.
- Cut a piece of fabric large enough to cover the foam and extend at least 1" beyond the edge of the wood when pulled to the back. Place the fabric right side down on the work surface. Place the foam in the center of the fabric. Place the smaller piece of wood on top of the foam (figure D).
- On one side, pull the fabric over the foam and plywood, and staple it to the plywood. Staple in the center of the first side. Select the side opposite the first staple, and pull the fabric tight. Staple in the center of that side. Choose an adjacent side, and pull the fabric to the back. Staple in the center of that side (figure E). Do the same with the fourth side. The fabric will be secured with one staple in the center of each side. Work around, pulling the fabric snug, and stapling between the first staples. Trim off excess fabric to eliminate bulk (figure F).
- Place the frame face down on the work surface. Place the fabric-covered foam on top of the frame, centered in the frame opening, and push it through the opening. The plywood backing on the foam will rest against the back of the frame (figure G).
- Place the larger piece of plywood over the back of the frame, and nail through the wood and the frame all the way around (figure H).
- Paint the finials to match the frame. Screw a finial into each of the four corners on the underside to form the legs of the stool. The finials come with screws already installed. If desired, drill pilot holes before screwing on the finials (figure I).
- Hot-glue trim, braid or fringe around the edge of the stool (figure J).
RESOURCES :
Alexa Lett
Harmony Inc.
Chattanooga, TN 37421
Phone: 423-894-4720 (for a
Fax: 423-894-4720
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
