From Time-Out to Toadstool: A Whimsical Makeover for My Favorite Stool

Jun 14, 2025

You know that one piece of furniture that quietly sticks with you through thick and thin? For me, it’s an old, beat-up dairy stool that’s been my painting sidekick for over a decade. It’s held brushes, paint trays, and let’s be honest—sometimes it’s even been my personal “time-out” stool when a project didn’t go quite right (fellow DIYers, you get it).

This little stool came to me well-loved and even more well-used. Its dents and dings tell stories of farmhouse life. But after years of supporting me while I transformed everything else, I decided it was finally time to give this trusty treasure its own little transformation.

And what better way than a touch of whimsy? Enter: the mushroom makeover.

🍄 How I Turned an Old Stool into a Cottagecore Mushroom Dream

To create this magical little toadstool moment, I used our BB Frösch Paint Transformer to mix up a bold, fairy-tale red using the color Heirloom Red. Two coats later, the top was looking vibrant and fun—like it had been plucked straight from an enchanted forest.

But of course, a mushroom isn’t complete without its spots. I sketched placement ideas with sidewalk chalk (yep, the same kind kids use for hopscotch) until I liked the layout, then added polka dots with White Flour paint. A few dots in, I was already grinning.

I used BB Frösch Clear Wax on the top of the stool to give it some extra protection and durability. The thing I love about clear wax is that it goes on so easy and cures in minutes.

To add some depth and keep the soul of the stool intact, I used BB Frösch Dark Wax on the legs and left the original scuff marks and maker’s marks underneath untouched—because age and character? Always in style. While we love paint, we also love preserving the history and unique elements that give clues of what this once was.

🖌️ DIY Tip:

Don’t be afraid to add personality to your old pieces. Whether it’s a quirky paint job or preserving the little imperfections, those details are what make it yours.

✨ What You’ll Need for a Similar Transformation:

BB Frösch Paint Transformer
Flat latex paint (I used Heirloom Red and White Flour)
Paint brush + chalk for sketching dots
BB Frösch Clear Wax and Dark Wax
A little imagination and a whole lot of heart

TL;DR:

Old stool ➡️ whimsical mushroom

Clean your piece
Mix your paint with BB Frösch Paint Transformer
Paint two coats of red (I used Heirloom Red)
Chalk out your dots
Paint them white (White Flour)
Clear wax the top for added protection
Wax the legs with BB Frösch Dark Wax
Smile every time you see it

Because hey—it’s just paint. But even a little color can breathe new life into old favorites. And in this case, turn a time-out stool into a total scene-stealer.

So go ahead—paint something that makes you smile. 🍄💕