An easy way to add French Country style to your home!
Easy French Country style can be added to your home with this quick upholstery project.
It’s simple! Just by pairing up a vintage foot stool with a grain sack!
I find these old foot stools all the time at flea markets, thrift stores, and estate sales.
They are usually very inexpensive, and most of them are in desperate need of an update.
They are the perfect size for your first upholstery project, and they don’t require much, if any, experience.
It’s amazing what paint and new upholstery can do for an old dated piece of furniture.
I usually look for the foot stools that have curvy legs for that french country look.
I don’t usually give them a second glance if they don’t have some curve to them.
The tops of the foot stools usually will unscrew from the underneath side for removal.
Once you have the top off, it’s easy to remove the old fabric and using it as a pattern, cut out your new top piece.
If you’re going to paint the base, now is the time to do it, while the top is off.
Once you have your new top cut out, just staple it back on, using a staple gun, and then remount it on to the base.
Trim out the edges with gimp {glued over the staples with a hot glue gun}.
Sometimes I will add nail head trim over the top of the gimp.
I usually use vintage grain sacks for my upholstery projects.
I love the look and texture of the old sacks and they give a piece of furniture instant “french flavor”.
If you don’t have access to authentic grain sacks, then you can also make your own faux grain sacks, by using drop cloths and paint.
Starting out with a simple foot stool is an easy way to get your feet wet in doing upholstery, and it adds instant French Country style to your home.
Once you master the foot stool, then it’s time to move on to a simple dining chair!
Have you tried upholstering yet?
Good Morning Cindy, I love your footstool and have pinned it for future reference. I have an old footstool which my father-in-law gave me 30 years ago. I keep it for sentimental value, but now, with your instructions, I know I am going to be able to upholster it with confidence.
Thank you so much for the advice, I don’t think I would have attempted this project otherwise.
Best Wishes
Daphne
Thank you so much Daphne!
I have searched your site and have enjoyed looking at all of your upholstery pieces. You are so inspiring! I have not reupholstered anything yet. I am needing something special and French Country. Where do I look for wing chairs for seating at my kitchen table? I am getting a new smaller 36″ round unfinished pedestal table that I want to finish in the country French style. I love the wing chair beside your buffet. The wing chairs in your dining room are precious. While hunting for these chairs, what seat height do I look for? Is there anything I need to consider in my search? Thank you for sharing your beautiful style.
Thank you Pamela! We found our wings chairs at a couple of different antique shops. The height of the seat is approximately 20″. The only thing to keep in mind is the style, make sure it’s the look you’re going for and make sure it has good “bones”. The frame needs to be sturdy and springs not broken. I always turn furniture upside down and look it over thoroughly and if it’s a chair, I sit in it and make sure it’s comfortable and sturdy. Paint and new upholstery work wonders for an old piece, but it has to have good bones!
I love your footstools, they are elegant, and pretty !
Thank you Audrey!
Cindy I LOVE them all!! I’ve redone my dining room chairs and a few little foot stools.
Thank you Martina!
Hi Cindy I so love your shop and have to say the wonderful finds from your shop are my favorite especially for the French Country look . A word of advice for shoppers, if you see something you really like, purchase it or put it on lay-a-way because in a couple days, it may be gone. I love the tutorial on the little bench. Thanks so much for sharing I just discovered your blog and love it ,
Thank you Kathy! That means so much to me!
Love your Frenchy footstools….I have a few myself. I have always thought these stools were cute anywhere in the house.
Thank you Nancy!
Thank you! What great look!!
Thank you Kay!
They’re all pretty, Cindy! I never see a piece with those curvy French style legs without thinking of you!
I have covered a few myself, and it’s because they are so easy. I don’t have the patience to attempt something BIG. Nice post.
Judy
Thank you Judy!
Oh my gosh, are these darling! You have such an eye!
Thank you so much Barbara!
These are gorgeous, Cindy! Can you believe in all my days of thrifting, I have not been able to find one foot stool!! I must find one very soon! Thanks for sharing! Have a great week! 🙂
Thank you Misty! Keep looking for those foot stools! Some times they are so “undesirable” that I walk right past them and don’t even notice them!
I love your stools….and that one with the gorgeous intricate woodwork is exquisite…Now I will be on the lookout for stools!….Great, great beauty and inspiration here!!
Thank you Shirley!
Yes, I have done chair seats and a stool like yours. Wow, you have several of those pretty stools. Love them all.
Thanks Kim!