Fifteen minute make-over

Here is a quick little home-improvement project. All you need is a very, very grungy stool (or chair), a screwdriver, a stapler and upholstery fabric... oh, and an extra set of helpful hands and you have a 15 minute make-over!

We have had these stools in our kitchen for 8 years and they have been recovered once, so we have the routine down.
Step one: Remove the grungy stool seat.
Step two: Cut the upholstery fabric with about a 3 to 4 in margin around the seat.

Step three: Tightly stretch the fabric while you have your extra helper staple it down. I recommend stapling 3-4 inches down on a side, then move to the opposite side and do the same. Repeat with the remaining sides working opposite sides as this will stabilize the fabric for you. Slightly gather and stretch the corners and secure with staples. Keep the staples close together, with no more than 1/2 inch in-between the staples.

Step four: Trim the excess fabric away from the staples, so that it looks neat and tidy.

Step five: Reattach the seats to the stool.

Step six: Admire your 15 minute make-over and tell the kids they CAN'T WIPE OFF THEIR HANDS ON THE SEAT EVER, EVER AGAIN and must use their napkins FROM.NOW.ON!
Repeat steps 1-6 as necessary.

Many thanks to my extra set of helping hands {Steve} because I truly cannot make that stinking stapler gun work AT.ALL. Of course, I heard about this fabulous invention called an electronic staple gun from my wizard, genius BFF. Hummm...maybe I could make that work? On second thought... I'll just beg the Hubs to run our crazy hard staple gun in a couple years, when the stools are all grungy again.