Garden Stool Envy!

Sometimes you just want to have something.  It's not necessary for any real purpose.  Still, it seems every time you open a magazine, there it is.  Tucked into a beautifully decorated room.  That perfect finishing touch.  It can be used in a formal room or casual.  Inside or out.  And I want one! Now!

What is it?  Let's play a game here.  I will show you pictures of some rooms and you tell me what they have in common.  Ok?

That was pretty easy, huh?  No wonder I'm obsessed with garden stools.  They seem to pop up in all my favorite rooms.  One thing though, they can be pretty pricey.  I wonder if anyone has figured out a way to knock one off that doesn't involve having your own kiln!

What's a girl to do? After some thought,  I just did what I do best...shop!  I do a little DIY, love to spray paint and make curtains with fabric glue but my best decorating skill has got to be shopping.  I just happened to see a garden stool left on a register at a Ross store.  I asked if it was for sale and had it been marked down yet since I know it was on the shelf for weeks. 

The sticker price was $59.99 which is a great price. 

But I did better!  One scan and one markdown price later I paid less than $25 after tax.  Not bad!

It's really not my colors but I figured for that price I could just spray paint it with a high gloss paint any color I want.  Then it occurred to me that these were the perfect colors for my daughter's new apartment.   She and her roommate already wanted plum and deep yelllow, so why not some teal and green? What a perfect inspiration piece for her! 

For Mother's Day my daughter and I did the trifecta (shopping, movies and dinner!) and while we were at Marshall's we found this great area rug for $49.99.  Doesn't it go great with the stool?  I suggested she use it either on the floor or as a wall hanging in their living room.  It will look great with the gray sectional her roommate is getting.

I just love a bargain!  If you aren't lucky enough to find a one like I did, there are some nice garden stools, mostly solid colors, on Ebay, and at Pier One and Ballards.  I'm hoping lightning will strike twice for me and I will come across one for me, too!

Do you have one of these?  Where did you get it and what did you pay?  I'm being pretty nosey here, aren't I? 

I am joining the following parties...

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Thrifty Things Friday at Thrifty Groove

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Primp Your Stuff Wednesday at Primp

Thrifty Thursday at Thrifty Decorating

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Thursday Favorite Things at Katherine's Corner

Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Sunday Blog Love at Cherished Treasures