steppin’ up
When you live in a house with little ones, sometimes practical things {like step stools in the bathroom} are essential.
I was growing tired of seeing our perfectly-functional-but-equally-ugly plastic stool in the guest bath and so I was excited to find this wood version at IKEA. It actually is quite attractive in its bare form, but also pretty painted.
One afternoon, my No. 3 and I set to work painting the stool.
I’m not always excited about doing painting projects with my kids, but this actually taught me that 1. they are capable and 2. it can be fun.
After a coat of primer, we rolled on our paint. I used Sherwin Williams Rushing River, which is also the color used in Audrey’s nursery on her bed and shelves. One of my faves.
Two coats of paint and a few days to fully dry, and it now sits in our guest bath.
The perfect little perch for this cutie-pie.
Michelle
OMW! when did she get so big?!?! she looks like a lilttle girl instead of a toddler. and i luv that stool – i’ve not seen it at my IKEA i’ll have to look cuz i have those ugly plastic ones that fold up and only come in primary colors, lol!
Amanda
I’ve been wanting to buy one of these stools for my master bedroom closet – I think you’ve convinced me!
Dana
I just noticed the other day that my kids have outgrown their stool. It kinda makes me sad.
Tiffany
This is adorable!!! What color of paint did you use?
Lisa
I LOVE this!!!!!!!!! It is so much prettier than the plastic ones. I love the decor in this bathroom with the stripes and the baskets………..so lovely and inspiring. Thanks!
Annie
I love that! We have been needing one at our place for our toddler. I just have been waiting to find a wooden one. Great find!
stephany
I saw this stool almost a year ago and then they did a remodel of our IKEA, so it was hard to find anything!
I think the kids and I will take a trip over there today…they don’t have school today anyway!
Thanks!
Sarah Barksdale Design
Love the stool AND your guest bathroom!
Lynn
I have two of those stools. Now you’ve got me wanting to paint them
Sarah
I have the same stool! I bought it 6 years ago when we lived near DC and Ikea was close – mine is still raw wood – but your post inspired me, I believe I must paint it now! Thanks!!
Devon
Do you have to assemble it? I’m only asking so that I can see if my sissy who lives near Ikea (we don’t have one in Nashville) could easily mail it to me.
Caryn
Yes, please do tell where you got the shelf!
emily
The shelf is actually my mother-in-laws! It is from jc penney I think. Try searching on google for an Etagere to find something similar.
Molly Ebbers
I also very much like this shelf. We have similar limited space in our guest bath and this would be perfect. I had trouble finding one on the JC Penney site, however I did find one similar on Ballard Designs site called the ‘Grand Tour Etagere’.
Jen
We have two of these stools. Actually bought them about 9 years ago when we lived in NY – at that time they were used as end tables in the little house we rented. Of course now that we have kids they are used as step stools. But my absolute favorite use for them is as little kid tables. My girls will put them in front of the TV, sit on the bottom step and put their popcorn on top. It’s perfect. My six year old even fits!
Lori Byrne
I also have that stool and I love it! My girls use it as picnic table style seating in front of the TV, but my oldest is starting to have a hard time getting her long legs in and out! I wish I had a dollar for everytime I saw one of those stools in a photo!! Thanks for sharing!!
Carla
This is so sweet! Have you blogged about that shelf before? Something like that would be perfect in my half bath. Do you mind sharing your source?
Kaylee
And your rug??
Jessica
Awesome. We just happen to have two of those that I’ve painted black. It doesn’t show the inevitable dirt from little feet!
Danielle
What form of paint did you use for the stool? (i.e. satin, flat, semigloss)
emily
I used sherwin Williams cashmere. It has a satin finish but is very durable.
krista
i saw your link to this adorable christmas invitation on pinterest. do you still have it available? i tried clicking the download and it went to an unavailable page.
http://jonesdesigncompany.com/holiday/christmas-goodies-week-party-invitations/
thanks,
krista
emily
Just fixed the link!
krista
THANK YOU!!!!
Ashleigh
I just love all of the stripes in your house!
Jenni
Loving this stool, practicle and stylish. I have the same one and I’ve been wanting to paint it with blackboard paint for our bathroom. Thanks for the push in the right direction!
laura
Love this one – we’ve used it in the kitchen, as a step-up to the island and just a general perch. It’s lived in the bathroom too!
Catherine
I have this stool too and just painted mine about 6 weeks ago as I have had it for about 5 years and the wood was starting to look a bit grotty. It is now a grey blue colour and I love it all over again! It is such a great clean design and is a much used item in our home.
Janna
I need one of these in my bathroom, kitchen, closet…ok most rooms! I’m just shy of 5′ and get tired of dragging a chair around to reach things!
Love the color you painted yours!
Lisa
Such a cute bathroom!! What color are the walls?
~Lisa
emily
The walls are the color our entire house was painted when we moved in. You can see all of our colors here: http://jonesdesigncompany.com/paint-colors/
Bethany
We have the same Ikea stool which I painted dark to match our painted/repurposed vanity. I love that you love it too. Everything you love is note worthy and I was happy to have some of the same ‘special pieces’ as you
arlene
we have one of these — and was thinking about whether we could use it as a stool for my 18mos. old in our bathroom — just wasn’t sure if it was too high. how old were your little ones when you started using it? we have a plastic single step, but it isn’t really high enough for her to reach the sink or see the mirror.