My Grandma’s old Cosco step stool
Of all of the memories I have of my Grandma throughout my childhood this step stool seems to be in every picture I have of her in my mind. She will always be sitting on it, by her kitchen stove, whether a fire was burning in it or not. I had a prettyΒ cool Grandma, she had herself the very first Nintendo and she and I went through and beat the very first Zelda multiple times one summer when I was 11 years old. She hand drew maps of all of the dungeons – seriously though, how cool is that?! I went looking for those old maps years ago and could not find them but still think of them from time to time. This old step stool, if Grandma wasn’t sitting on it her kitchen, I was! It was my favorite spot and when Grandma passed and this became my home this stool was with me throughout the entire renovation. It was already very old and not in the best of shape and us using it –Β me standing on it while drywalling or running electrical or plumbing, did nothing but just make it more rickety. By the end of the renovation this poor old Cosco step stool was not safe to use anymore! So, I stashed it in the garage for a day when I knew I could bring it back to its former glory. This weekend I rolled up my sleeves and got to work!
You can see in the picture that the step stool was absolutely filthy so I brought it inside, set it on a towel by my kitchen sink and mixed water and vinegar in a bowl and got to scrubbing. Is that a big nail being used to keep the back left leg attached to the stool? Yes, yes it is. Once I got the entire stool scrubbed down I headed out to the barn for a bolt and nut to replace that old nail.
I removed the last two rubber feet that were still holding on and the (very old) black electrical tape that was being used as a foot. I went through every bolt and nut and tightened the entire stool down besides replacing two of them that were missing. Amazingly, the stool became sturdy again and was just as good as new except, of course, it really need some paint! I bought one can of Rustoleum black matte spray paint and one can of Rustoleum’s chrome spray paint and took my stool outside for painting. I painted the “steps” first with the black matte paint and then taped them off and painted the rest of the stool in chrome. That chrome spray paint is AMAZING! It’s like liquid aluminum foil!
The seat was in terrible shape, the rings you see there are from PVC primer where this stool had joined me running all of the drains throughout the house. It needed to be replaced and I couldn’t think of a better replacement then red vinyl! Inspecting the underside of the seat I saw four steel tabs that were bent over, straightening them out I was able to pry the seat right off!
I grabbed my glue gun and some scissors after seeing that the old seat cover had also just been glued down. I ripped the old cover off and replaced it with my new red vinyl and found myself in a predicament. Shoot! That’s a really ugly wrinkle! I did some searching online and tried getting the wrinkle out by drying it in my dryer for half an hour – that didn’t really work, it helped, but not good enough. My mother-in-law had bought us a little hand steamer for clothes and that worked! With the paint dry I brought the stool in, put on the new feet I bought for it and TADAH!
I’ve already used this stool several times in my kitchen to reach the top shelves of my ceiling-height cabinets! It is just wonderful! And the whole cost only came to $12! I love that it is back where it belongs, I literally set it down in the same place where it always was before, in my Grandma’s kitchen. Things are a little different then they were back when this was her place but, to me, it is still the same place. Sometimes, I swear, for a split second when I run up the front steps and through the same screen door that was there when I was kid, I’m literally 11 again and I almost expect to see her sitting right there on that stool waiting for me.
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I’m Tarah!
It’s been a hell of a ride since I started this blog and renovated and moved into this old farm house back in 2015. I got married, divorced, lost my doggo soul mate, spent two years as a single gal, remodeled everything, threw my back out countless times and was even found by an amazing guy in my own backyard! (The story behind Storyhardt Farm.)
Around here we’re totally fearless when it comes to bettering our home. We love to refinish old furniture, re-purpose old pieces, build it from scratch and totally renovate anything that needs it! If we can do it – so can you. We’ve got some serious plans for this old farm and, for first time ever, I have a real partner!
This is gonna be so much fun!
You can also find out more about the amazing Grandma behind this blog who moved in to this old farmhouse with my Grandpa nearly 70 years ago!
This is the sweetest post! Your grandma absolutely sounds like the coolest, and you’ve done an incredible job restoring her old stool. It looks amazing now!
Thank you so much! π
I have two of these stools in my possession. One is in better shape than the other but the price was right on both. I think your makeover is awesome. My stools do not have the sentimental value that yours does but I would love to make them over and bring them back to life.
Hello! I have been on the lookout for another one just like this one so we can have two matching stools in the kitchen but I haven’t been able to find one yet! Thank you!
Oh, Tarah. You made me cry again. When I go up those same old steps and through the same doors, I expect to see the house they way it was and both Mother and Dad there waiting. So touching, what you wrote, and how you redid Mother’s old stool. Love you, Ta.
Your aunt Sharon.
Oh Sharon thank you so much! π Love you too! And can’t wait for you to see it!
I remember back in the day every well equipped kitchen had a stool like this. Actually there are times I could use one now instead of standing on the counter trying to clean the top of the cabinets. Bad me right? The stool looks fantastic.
lol I used to stand on my counters to reach stuff all the time! We need to start a movement to bring these handy little stools back to the kitchen! Thanks for coming by π
Gorgeous! BTW I hate to sound like a jerk, but the brand of chairs and stools is Cosco, not Costco. I remember noticing that on one my mom had. I love your blog and am super impressed by all the renovations you have done. Good work!
Well, that’s good to know! Thanks for coming by! π
Loved hearing the history of this stool. The makeover is super!
xo Dianne
Thank you Dianne!
My sweet grandmother had a stool as well–a chippy white wooden one–right next to the washing machine (hers was always in the kitchen). I can picture her sitting there clear as day, taking a rest after cooking something delicious. I love how “things” can evoke such powerful memories of the people we love. Lovely post, Tarah. Thanks for linking it up with us at Vintage Charm π
Diana, what a wonderful memory π I love that I feel close to my grandma often when I’m here, sometimes I’m literally sitting on the same stool in the very same place she used to hang out every day. Thank you for sharing your memory and for stopping by!
I did the same thing!! I used turquoise for my seat, but I loved how it turned out and especially all the memories those stools hold. Thanks for sharing your story!
Pamela, that’s wonderful! I’m thinking of getting another to match! Thanks!!
Items that have a treasured memory attached are the best. What an honour it is to redo that stool and share with the world how wonderful your grama was. I bet she is smiling. Beautiful job.
Leanna, thank you so much I think she is too π
wow! That is a huge transformation. I am so pleased that you have your grandmothers kitchen stool and have those memories come to mind every time you use it. Great job!
π gwingal
Thank you Nikki!
It turned out great! What a wonderful memory you have of your grandmother and that stool!
Thank you Cathy!
Beautiful transformation! Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW DIY party!
Thank you Helen!
That is an amazing makeover and I love how you went with the original style, it looks fabulous!
Thanks Katrin!!
I LOVE the stepstool. LOVE. I love that it’s red, too. I have a stepstool that is awaiting redoing also but it has a back and I’m not looking forward to that part of it. I love how yours came out. Best wishes, Linda @Crafts a la mode
Thank you Linda!
Looks great now! Thank you for linking up with us at #HomeMattersParty .See you again next week.
Thanks Sahana, see you next week!
My Grandmother had a yellow one that I inherited when she passed. It has been sitting in my garage for years and now you have inspired me to refinish it. Many talks took place on that old stool and I always think of her when I see it. You did a great job and I’m sure your grandmother is smiling down on you.
Brenda
Its so cool to hear similar stories about grandma’s and their stools π I never could have given this one up and I was SO relieved when it wasn’t beyond repair!
Tarah, what an awesome job. How special to refurbish and bring back to life your grandmother’s stool. Your make~over turned out great. Thank you for sharing at Your Inspired Design.
Carol, thank you!!
I love how this turned out! π
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thank you!!
What a wonderful tribute to your grandmother! I understand the piercing pain in a girl’s soul when she loses a special woman in her life – particularly when that special woman is her grandma. She is smiling down on you right now. #happynowlinkup
Thank you so much! π
I have my grandma’s old Cosco stool also and agree that it brings so many memories! Grandmas are awesome and the memories treasured! Thanks for sharing! π
Thank you Diane and that is SO true!
What a great new look from the old stool! I keep my eye out for one like my Grandmother had. I would love to have one for my granddaughters! You did a great job!
hank you Chloe π
What sweet memories and a lovely, treasured stool. Congrats, you’re featured this week at the This Is How We Roll Link Party.
Thank you so much Susan!!
What a sweet transformation. The stepstool looks so much better now. My MIL is always complaining that she can’t find a stepstool as good as the one she bought 30+ years ago. It’s good to know that I can fix her old stepstool up if I need to.
For sure! Thanks Leslie!
Love this! My mom had a similar stool, and I used to sit on it while I dried dishes, and told Mom about my day.
What a wonderful memory Deborah! Thank you for coming by!
I have my husband’s grandmother’s stool that is just like yours only yellow. We had to take ours apart and now it looks so much better. so many great memories of it in her kitchen. She just turned 101 last week.
Wonderful you kept her stool too! My grandma’s sister is turning 103 this year!
I have some wonderful memories of my Grandma too. She was such a special woman … not quite as cool as yours though. I learned so much from her and use those skills still today. As I get older I see her in the mirror. That’s a good thing π I love what you did with Grandma’s stool … that stool will continue to make beautiful memories for you and your family! xo
That is a good thing π I seem my grandma in my hands, they look so much like hers and more so every day lol I think about that sometimes, all the wonderful work she did here on the farm and now here are my hands doing the same things, pretty cool and wonderful to have good memories!
Love this makeover! Thanks for joining the #InspirationSpotlight party. Shared
Thank you!
Great job on this stool and so fantastic that you’ve preserved it for at least another generation or two – they’ll have their own memories of you, now.
Thanks for bringing this by Throwback Thursday and Happy Thanksgiving!
Mollie
Thank you so much Mollie, I’m so glad I was able to save it!
I have an old Cosco stool that I need to makeover. Yours is incredible. Great inspiration! Thank you for sharing at the Snickerdoodle Create~Bake~Make link party! I am featuring your Cosco stool makeover to day.
Thank you so much Sharon!!!
Another fabulous project to revitalize a tired step stool.
Kathleen
Bloggers Pit Stop
Thank you Kathleen!
Wow! The transformation is awesome. I love the sentiment attached to it and that you could bring it back to life, without changing it. Thanks for sharing at the Wednesday Showcase party. hope to see you again π
Thank you so much Kati!
My mom still has one of these stools!!
I bet I could make it look so much better!!
Thanks so much for this.
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks Jodie for coming by!
I remember using one of those too… what a great restoring job on this… it looks great and I especially like that it is all tight and sturdy again. π
Thank you π it really holds a lot of memories for me!
I love the transformation and so fun it will always remind you of your Grandma. Thanks so much for sharing at the Friday at the Fire Station link-up!
Thank you π
What a great makeover Tarah it looks great now and such a cool vintage look
Thanks Amber!!
I love that you revamped this beautiful family stool! Love it!
Thank you so much Sue!
We had a stool like that growing up. Wish I had it now. Your transformation looks awesome! Saw this on the Reader Tip Tuesday link party – thanks for sharing!
Thank you Cindy!
Awesome makeover! Now I know what to do with my old rusty stool. Thanks for sharing it with us at the Waste Not Wednesday link party. Keep coming back and linking each week.
Thanks Denise!
I LOVE this…
It really turned out GREAT! Amazing what paint & fabric can do. It totally has new life. I hope we see you at the current Reader Tip Tuesday Party: http://www.jodiefitz.com/2017/08/22/reader-tip-tuesday-party-crafts-recipes/
It’s open all week & growing.
Thanks for coming by, have a great weekend!
Great job, Tarah! I love it, and I know your grandma would too!
Thank you so much Jean!
What a wonderful makeover though it seems more like a rebirth.
Thank you so much Miriam, have a great week!
This wonderful post is a HOME feature on the October You’re the STAR blog hop: http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/2017/10/youre-star-week4-home-october-2017.html
Thanks
Angie
Oh thank you so much Angie!
That’s a great makeover. Growing up I remember my mother had a similar step stool in her kitchen, but I think we got rid of it years ago…Than you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned!
Thanks for coming by Teress!
Oh my word. My grandma had one of those stools. Way to make something old new again! #dreamteam
I love my old stool, so glad I was able to save it! Thanks for coming by, have a great week!
That is amazing work! It looks stunning, well worth the effort. #ThatFridayLinky
Thank you! Have a great weekend!
Well done! It looks great! Thanks for joining in with #ThatFridayLinky
Thanks Emily!
I have a vintage Cosco stool that is pretty beat up. I love how yours turned out. Question: how do you suggest replacing the black treads on the steps? I’d like to keep to the original look as much as possible. The ones on my stool are unsalvageable.
Hi Hunter, I would suggest looking into the thin black, rubber mats/rugs at Walmart, you may find something really similar for the treads that you can gorilla glue down!
Thanks Tarahlynn…would they also have replacement ‘feet’?
Hi Hunter, yes I purchased replacement rubber feet from my local Ace hardware store!
I have found a stool online– exactly like yours. I was wondering, how do you use the top step? Does the seat fold back? I have only seen the ones where the step ladder part folds out, so wasn’t sure how these type work… After seeing your transformation, I definitely must make a trip to buy that treasure!! π Thanks for sharing!
Yep the seat folds up to reveal the steps! I’ve actually been looking for another one so I could have a matched pair but they’re hard to find!
Wow!!! I have been trying to find find something like this. I wish I had seen it sooner!! (It took me a while to figure out what words to search.).
Thanks so much!!
So glad you found it Suzanne! That stool will be with me forever, I just love it!
Love giving new life to things. I had one in the late 60’s that had a yellow seat. I got rid of it and regretted it later. Last year I found one at a thrift store that was in bad shape but after I finished it looks great. Recovered seat in white( already had the vinyl) so cost nothing.
You did a great job!
Thank you Nancy! I looked high and low for a stool just like it for a pair but I never did find it unfortunately. I use it practically every day!
I have similar from my late grandmother. My mother gave it to me knowing Iβd show it love. But, I havenβt been able to fix the squeaks and wobbles! Iβm wondering if adding any washers where the screws are might help. I tighten the screws every day and it continues to wobble. Looking for tips…
Hey Christy, washers are a good idea! Mine was missing a couple of screws and that helped quite a bit. I tighten all the screws up every few months but honestly, my little stool is pretty wobbly and I don’t use it a lot but I love that I still have it and she’s safe and sound with me.
I have this same stool but someone before I bought unbent an took off the seat. Any suggestions for replacement?
Hi Cheryl So sorry to hear about that! A piece of wood cut to size and then upholstered could sit on top and be taken off when/if you want to use the stool.
I love it! Reminds me of similar stools throughout my childhood. I have a question — years later, how is the paint holding up? Does the chrome still look good? Are you able to touch it up easily? I love that you held onto it until you could fix it up. π
Hi Amanda, the only place the chrome paint has been wearing off is the top back of the stool where we grab it to move it. Otherwise its really been holding up well! I would definitely endorse that spray paint lol. Thanks for coming by!