I came across a discarded carcass of a footstool some time ago and have only just got round to dealing with it. This is what has been done:

the carcass of the stool had various blemishes to the rails where numerous re-upholstery projects had taken their toll with numerous tack holes and splits. I suspect that webbing had been applied via a hammer on more than one occasion rather than by a tack gun which is much more sympathetic to wood. The legs were insecure to say the least, and some of the glue blocks were missing. The legs have been repaired and the missing glue blocks replaced. This stool is now structurally sound

I didn't go down the route of having this stool re-upholstered as I have no need for an upholstered stool, but I always like to have in store stools that can be used as photographic props for items that I am selling. I often use these stools as small stands or as plant stands in the home

The whole stool has been painted matt black. Due to the large amount of black paint on the stool I reduced its impact by adding gold leaf to the claws of the original Victorian claw and ball feet. The gold leaf shine has been reduced by applying black wax so that a distressed look has been achieved

A piece of wood was added to the top and this has been covered in a cut down slate roofing tile obtained from a 1950's garden shed that a neighbour had decided to pull down - which was very convenient timing !!

The slate is fixed to the wood via the strong double-sided tape used to attach number plates to cars. The slate tile could be removed if this was desired. The wood base to the tile has been glued to the top of the stool legs and rails. I have used animal hide glue for this purpose. This glue will melt with the application of heat (e.g. from a hair drier) and this was what I wanted in case at some point in the future someone wanted to use the carcass of the stool and have it re-upholstered

This stool could be used as a footstool, but is equally useable as a plant, book or ornament stand as I hope some of the photographs illustrate. I am selling this as my job is now done - another antique item saved for the future even if re-purposed but the work that has been carried out is all deliberately reversible. 

Dimensions:

Height: 25.5cms

Width: 35.5cms

Depth: 33cms

Dimensions of the slate top: 30.5cms by 25cms

Postage is just to the UK mainland with delivery being via UPS, but personal collection from Buntingford (East Herts. SG9) is very welcome 

Please see my other items which are traditional items dating to the 17th - 19th centuries