The Art Deco "Movement"

Where have I been this week? Working with an interior designer on this monstrosity. Sponge faux finishing was to the late 1990s as accent walls are to this decade, and I am convinced that they are an altogether horrible fad.

I understand that people view wallpaper as a hassle, and it is true that removal can be a bothersome mess, but there are classic designs and vintage patterns still available on the market. It reminds me of the recent episode of Mad Men as the Draper's interior decorator tries to up-sell them on new furniture, only to go batshit when Betty purchases the chaise lounge. Personal style is a fickle beast.

And here's another look:


How quickly do you think the homeowners will grow tired of this design?

Why do it the Hard Way? Rest Easy on a COSCO Stool!

COSCO Step Stool Project File (Week 2.1):

In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue,
It was a courageous thing to do
But someone was already here.

Speaking of which, it has only been two weeks but I am convinced that my COSCO Step Stool has been around forever. This project has dragged on entirely too long now and I am quite ready for it to be finished.

I took a trip out to the local Jo-Ann Fabrics today because I knew that they carried a pretty wide selection of vinyl coverings. I was in desperate need of assistance as this was my first attempt at reupholstering furniture, and the friendly sales clerk proved to be great.

I wanted to find a fabric that would elevate this chair to a new level of cool. It definitely needed a wow factor. I found an amazing red vinyl with embedded silver flecks - a throwback to 1950's dinerware. I then took all of my purchases back home for final reassembly.

Check it out...

I sort of knew how the pieces fit back together but was unsure which glues to adhere foam and fabric to metal. I ended up purchasing this bottle of Elmer's Craft Bond, figuring it should do the job pretty well.

I laid out the original vinyl over top the foam batting and cut to size (above).

I then used the spray glue to attach the foam to the metal seat (below).

I did the same for the vinyl fabric. I should mention that layering the vinyl was a very, very tricky task. This process took about two hours and required a lot of heating and stretching to fit the corners. I eventually gave up on using the fabric glue in favor of good old fashioned duct tape.

After reassembling the seat to the stool frame I used a little Armor All to clean up the original rubber steps.

But you don't care about any of that do you? Remember the before photo?

Now, here are the amazing results:

I think I'll pour myself a nice glass of scotch and admire my swingin' new chair!

Lighten Your Work! Brighten Your Home!

COSCO Step Stool Project File (Week 2):

This was hands-down the most frustrating week for what I originally intended to be a "fun" project. I learned a few crucial new lessons:

1) Spray painting is not fun - especially on windy days.

2) It is always best to let the paint set overnight instead of rushing another coat after 10 minutes.

2) It is better to buy several different size screws on one visit to Home Depot instead of making multiple trips for multiple exchanges.

3) A hardware phantom will come to your house overnight and magically reduce the size of machine screws and lug nuts despite your precise measurements.

4) The Washington Redskins are an awful football team at this point in the season.

So, let's go paint...

I used Krylon spray paints for this project because there was a better overall color selection...plus, they are cheap.

I laid down an initial primer coat (above) to prevent any future rusting and to provide a base adherent for the top coat (below).

I selected a nice gloss gray color for the top coat. In between coats of paint I lightly sanded areas of overspray using a fine grit sandpaper and steel wool. I also applied a top clear gloss coat to bring out a high luster for the metal. This turned out to be, in retrospect, not the greatest of ideas. In order to prevent the gray paint from cracking after spraying the sealant, I had to completely remove the glossy sheen first. I, of course, learned this the hard way.

While the paint was drying I worked to buff out the tarnish and rust on the chrome frame. I use a product called Brasso which has been around for 100 years (according to the bottle). I use this regularly around the home and I never cease to be amazed at the results. It also works great when applied to chrome areas on cars and motorcycles.

I discarded the original black rubber feet as you can see in the above photo. One was missing entirely anyway. I'm embarassed to admit that I traveled back and forth between two local Home Depots to find the correct size in black, but was only ever able to find what I needed (3/4) in white.

Lesson 5) It has only been two weeks and I am already annoyed with this project.

The Height of Handiness...a COSCO Step Stool!

COSCO Step Stool Project File (Week 1):

Yeah, so, my COSCO step stool isn't quite as glamorous as the one in the advert above. That's to be expected after fifty-plus years of use and abuse. Despite a little tarnish and rust around the screw heads the chrome is in remarkably good shape. The vinyl seat cover itself was in fair condition, with the exception of a few paint splatters. A little too dated though. And not in a good way. So where to begin?

Deconstruction.

I first removed the flip top seat from its mountings. No problems here as the bolts and fasteners unscrewed easily.

I next ripped the old vinyl cover off of the steel seat and tore away the foam. The foam was so old it practically disintigrated into a poof of dust when you touched it. And then the real "fun" began.

Little did I know how difficult it would be to remove the steps themselves. The original machine screws had calcified at their connection points fusing them to the nuts. I employed a lot of Liquid Wrench (which I highly recommend) to break down a lot of the rust and other gunk.

It then took a lot of prying with the use of screw drivers, locking wrenches, and lug wrenches in order to pop the bolts. This particular screw is bent and shows a noticeable thread deterioration.

The stairs were then ready for masking and spray painting.

When a Step Stool is Handy...Everything Else Is!

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about my purchase of a vintage COSCO Step Stool at a local thrift shop for under ten dollars. I have seen a couple of these sell at local antique fairs for over $100, therefore my original intent was to restore and market on either eBay or Etsy for a profit.

I turned to the internet to see if I could find out anymore about this particular chair and discovered that the COSCO brand name - a blend of (CO)lumbus (S)pecialty (CO)mpany - was first put into effect in 1941. After the War they changed their manufacturing from military equipment to household goods; patenting the first full-line of metal household stools and high chairs. By 1960 they were recognized as the largest manufacturer of step stools and carts. In the late 80's the COSCO brand was acquired by Dorel Industries Inc. They are still manufactured today.

In post-war America it was common for advertising agencies to market the manufacturers' product to the stereotypical housewife. As you can see from the ad above, the model is engaged in a variety of matronly duties while wearing her high heels. What we would consider today an ordinary household item for dads and grandpas alike, was then marketed as a must-have for every fashionable lady.

It is with this same gusto that I decided it would remain my own must-have item.

Thrift Store Finds

Today I took a trip out to the Unique Thrift Store in Falls Church, VA. While I'm no stranger to the local flea markets it had been awhile since I had been to this particular store.

I think it was a pretty successful voyage.

A collection of Roger Miller's greatest hits and Howard Jones' first studio album. Price: $4.00.

A wooden snack dish (walnut?). I believe it is from the 1980's - perhaps older. The country-of-origin and materials inscription on the bottom has, unfortunately, worn away. Price: $.99.

The score of the day was this amazing vintage COSCO step stool. It's missing one of the rubber chrome foot covers, but with a little Brasso, a new vinyl seat, and perhaps a paint job this chair may become the envy of every 1950s housewife. Price: $9.99.