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No Sew Cayden Nailhead Stool

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Difficulty
Intermediate
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Free easy plans to build No Sew Upholstered Stools inspired by Pottery Barn Caden Nailhead stools.

I am so excited today to share with you plans for an upholstered rustic stool, very much inspired by Pottery Barn's Caden Nailhead stool, ringing up for as much as $230 for leather, made with pine legs.  My question for you is what if you needed four?  

Some of you may be fortunate enough to just shell out the cash, but for me and Jaime (who made and upholstered this stool), spending $1000 on four stools is just too much.  So what to do?
DIY of course!
You'll find the plans following, with step by step instructions on building the stool itself.  I hope you also take a second to visit Jaime and thank her for sharing photos and also her step by step tutorial on the no sew nailhead upholstered top.
PS - If you want the counter or bar height stools, make sure you holler so I know!
Dimensions
Dimensions are shown above. Stool is standard chair/bench height.

Preparation

Shopping List

1 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
1 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long
1 - 2x12 @ 18 1/2" long
Either use 1 1/4" pocket hole screws or 2 3/4" trim screws countersunk

Cut List

4 – 2x2 @ 16 3/8” both ends cut parallel to each other, 5 degree bevel/5 degree angle off square, short point to long point
2 – 1x2 @ 8 5/8” Long point to long point, both ends cut at 5 degrees off square, NOT parallel to each other
2 – 1x2 @ 14 7/8” Long point to long point, both ends cut at 5 degrees off square, NOT parallel to each other
1 – 2x12 @ 18 1/2”

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Miter Saw
Power Sander
Drill Bit Set
General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

Marking Legs

To cut legs accurately, set miter saw for a five degree bevel and five degree angle. Cut just enough off the end of the 2x2 to cut the angle into the end (less than 1”). Then just slide the board down 16 3/8” (long point to short point, so one end to the next along the edge) and cut. Slide down 16 3/8” and cut again. The slide and cut two more times until all four of your legs are cut. Once cut, line up so legs splay outward as shown in diagram. Mark the inside corners. With a five degree bevel/angle, you’ll be glad you did this – it can be hard to tell what way the legs go!

Step 2

First Side Stretchers

Lay a board – even just the seat – down on your work surface. With the inside corners of legs facing upward and inward, rest on work surface, meeting up with the gray board. NOTE: on back edge, will not meet up because of angle cuts. Measure down and place top stretcher. Mark joints clearly, marking outside joint as well. Predrill holes – pocket holes would be great here – and attach with screws and glue. TIP: Check the bottom distance and top to make sure your legs are properly positioned. Repeat on opposite side.

Step 3

Side Stretchers

It’s going to get a little tougher here because now we are working with a 3d stool base. And easy way to do this – especially if you are making multiples – is to cut a scrap 2x board (how about leftovers from the seat boards?) at 5 5/8” long. Then you can rest under the stretcher as you prepare your joint. Predrill holes – again, pocket holes would be great on the insides – and attach with screws. If you are using countersunk screws, you will need some long ones! NOTE: If you are using countersunk screws, you may consider using 2x2s for the stretchers just to give you a little board to screw into. This would not change the cut list.

Step 4

Top

Mark location of legs and predrill holes. Attach with screws and glue.

Step 5

Step 6

Top Upholstery

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Project Type
Stools
Room
dining room
kitchen
Style
Farmhouse Furniture

Comments

claydowling

Wed, 02/08/2012 - 11:46

A good tutorial for somebody to make (probably me, since I'm beefing about it) would be how to make this with actual through tenons. You'd have an incredibly strong stool and I don't think it's any harder than what's shown. You just need a different (cheaper) set of tools.

The stool looks great though. A new contribution to the momplex?

Jay @ Wilbur Road (not verified)

Thu, 02/09/2012 - 12:12

How in the heck did you know that I was in LOVE with these stools? I am thinking they are perfect for around the coffee table; scrabble games and puzzle building!

I think two would fit the bill, don't you?

Ana, you are amazing. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Tal B (not verified)

Sat, 02/11/2012 - 07:10

Love this! I would love to know the height/plans for bar stools. Thanks for all your amazing plans and inspiration.

Sunshine_4_jt (not verified)

Sat, 07/21/2012 - 18:39

I also LOVE this stool, but will need to be three at counter height for the back side of my kitchen Island. Does anybody know where we can find the correct measurements for counter height at, and does it change the angles any?