Outside

FROSTA

I finally figured out what I want for a coffee table on the front porch, since I gave our furniture to my mom. I was looking through Apartment Therapy’s Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces (excellent book, by the way) and noticed that Maxwell had cut down an IKEA FROSTA stool to use as a low end table in his living room. Perfect! I can group three of them together and cut them down so that they’re the right height, then paint them.

Except IKEA seems to have discontinued it.

But my local store still has some in stock! So now I’m planning to head out there today and buy a bunch. At first I thought I’d just want three. Then I thought I could get two more to put a couple of plants on. Then I was thinking that I should buy about ten of them because they’re discontinued and what if they don’t have them anymore and mine get ruined because they’re not really supposed to be outside or what if I find another use for them and then I can’t find them anymore!? Then I realized that that was hoarder mentality and I should not be so crazy. So I’m back down to five. I think.

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  • Vanessa
    June 30, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    How about the Marius stool? They come in light pink, they’re more outdoor friendly, and they’re $5.99 each. I bought the light blue ones for my back deck and I <3 them :)

  • Mandy Ford
    June 30, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    Love that idea. And I say buy 10. :)

  • Amanda
    June 30, 2010 at 2:59 pm

    You are so funny. Love the internal rationalizing you were doing… I would do the SAME thing. “Maybe I’m going to love them soooo much I will want to be able to have them FOREVER, so I need to buy 15 of them…. JUST in case!”

  • Allison
    June 30, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    If they end up running out, I bought some stools that are exactly the same at Target.

  • Rhea
    June 30, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    beautiful! i am a big fan of the frosta :D they look so cute all stacked up. post after pics if you can!
    i did this project and use it as a plant table http://www.designspongeonline.com/2008/04/diy-project-decoupage-stool-with-petit-collage.html it’s a great size for my bedroom.

  • sara
    June 30, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    Check out your local Ikea’s website. They may run weekly specials. The Frosta is 3.99 today at the Tampa Ikea. At that price, you could indulge in a little hoarding.

  • sunny
    June 30, 2010 at 3:09 pm

    hahahahaha. you’re so not alone. I totally think that way – and it IS a hoarder mentality. thus the ten “extra” tins I got at Target’s dollar section last year and still haven’t used. LOVE the colors you’re going to paint the Frostas. Beeeyyooootiful.

  • Kim at Yellow Brick Home
    June 30, 2010 at 3:51 pm

    Love this post. Excellent.

  • Cristina
    June 30, 2010 at 4:17 pm

    My in-laws got these and they lasted five years before they broke. So just think about it before you go shopping. *shrugs* Honestly I’d look for something cuter and better quality. :)

  • Tânia
    June 30, 2010 at 4:21 pm

    I really wanna see how it will be. :D

  • Abby
    June 30, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    what a cute idea. love it!! can’t wait to see the final product!

  • Not Stacy
    June 30, 2010 at 5:07 pm

    I have 4 of these that I use for seating at the computer. With 3 kids crowded around watching each other, they work great and then stack and push under when not in use. I also move them around the house for use as side tables and as a catch all in my bathroom. Target has them, too.

  • Katelyn
    June 30, 2010 at 6:27 pm

    How come planning ahead so quickly turns into hoarding? :)

  • kimma
    June 30, 2010 at 6:55 pm

    Had to laugh while I was reading this – you sound so much like my partner! “but what if I want it later and I can’t find it and then I’ll always be regretting it and I’ll never be happy ever again!”

  • Alana
    June 30, 2010 at 6:58 pm

    Target carries an identical stool!

    • Danielle
      July 1, 2010 at 5:51 am

      Yes! I just bought one myself to use as a side table. $15!

    • Kelly
      August 13, 2010 at 1:45 pm

      Can you provide a link? TIA!

  • Diana Smith
    June 30, 2010 at 7:14 pm

    You are funny. I think that same thing when making a purchase, all of these ‘what ifs’. I hope they work out for you!

  • leslie
    June 30, 2010 at 7:44 pm

    Hilarious! And love the paint color choices…which is ironically the very palette I have been dreaming of for a new quilt. Beautiful.

  • misty
    June 30, 2010 at 7:58 pm

    I love how your mentality sounds just like mine. Hey, there has to be some kind of realistic justification to it all, right? =)

  • Brigitte
    June 30, 2010 at 8:15 pm

    Right there with ya. You know they’re discontinuing lack shelves, too. Must be a big shift coming on.

  • alexandra keller
    June 30, 2010 at 8:35 pm

    i saw similar stools a Target … and i’ve seen a few other posts about the Ikea stool being discontinued. maybe if enough people talk about it, they’ll bring it back :)

  • Natalie
    June 30, 2010 at 8:52 pm

    I did this exact thing at my house, except I added the wooden SKALA tray on top of the stools to increase the use-able space and add a little functionality. Your colors are super cute!

  • Ashli
    June 30, 2010 at 9:07 pm

    I cannot wait to see what you do with these!!!

    ~Ashli

  • Vickie
    June 30, 2010 at 10:30 pm

    Love the frosta! Bought one a while ago with the intentionof doing this:
    http://www.doorsixteen.com/2009/06/19/faux-aalto-frosta-upgrade/

  • julie
    July 1, 2010 at 1:53 am

    They’re discontinuing FROSTA? And LACK? Oh god, the horror! Now I’m totally in panic mode! I must go out and buy a twenty, just in case I need them in my next home!

  • Meg
    July 1, 2010 at 6:04 am

    HAHA!!! That sounds like something I would think to myself. I say buy 10. You’ll probably love them and might want to use them in other areas of your home. This way, you’ll have them. :-)

  • Holly
    July 1, 2010 at 8:27 am

    I wouldn’t cross it off your list yet. They are getting ready to release the new catalog/prices so they might bring them back. If they are redesigning them or something they probably sold off all the inventory to get ready for the new stuff!

  • Patricia
    July 1, 2010 at 9:16 am

    Love them, they are so practical! Prefect for quick seating. They would also look nice in black or white

  • DrayaAnn
    July 1, 2010 at 9:49 am

    I know you use a lot of pinks throughout your house, so I’m guessing that your hubby doesnt mind it too much. But I was just wondering his take on the colors you like to use so much? Does he just say go for it, or does he have colors that he would prefer instead?

  • Keri
    July 1, 2010 at 10:47 am

    If you can’t find the Frosta at Ikea, they have a nearly identical table at Target. If I remember correctly, it’s even a little cheaper at Target. We use ours as foot rests in our media room, but I love the idea of painting and grouping them as a coffee table. So creative!!

  • Anna/quilted giraffe
    July 1, 2010 at 11:24 am

    I can’t believe they discontinued them! They are such great, basic (ok, knock-off) pieces. I have two and I use them every day.

  • Jenny
    July 1, 2010 at 12:19 pm

    I had one and took it for granted that it would never be discontinued – it’s such a classic piece, so versatile and popular! Alas, it has been discontinued and LONG out of stock in Atlanta. If you can buy 10, do it! You can always sell them on Craigslist to other desperate people like me. ;)

  • lindyspice
    July 1, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    I *love* the intended color palette! I may have to steal this idea- good thing I don’t live near your IKEA… ;) Good luck, and looking forward to seeing photos of the finished project!

  • Jen
    July 1, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    haha! I love your train of thought on this with the hoarder mentality, so funny~it’s a good point thought! what happens if they all break?! :)

  • Sage & Style
    July 1, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    Ha! I’m the same way. I buy twos, threes + more if it looks like it’s going away. I love these tables … great idea to cluster them instead of only one big table. Can’t wait to see how it turns out.

  • Susan
    July 1, 2010 at 7:37 pm

    Better to be safe than sorry. :) Buy all 10

  • Two Lovely Spaces
    July 1, 2010 at 7:46 pm

    Also like the idea about grouping them together!!!

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  • Nicole
    July 2, 2010 at 1:40 pm

    Love these stools! I saw them at IKEA about a month ago and if I had room or reason to get them, I would have in a minute!

  • Jill
    July 2, 2010 at 7:09 pm

    Oh wow! What a great idea for an inexpensive project…and now I want to dash to my Ikea and pick up a dozen of these as well! Who knew?

  • Beatriz
    July 3, 2010 at 4:39 am

    Hi! First of all, I looove your blog. It’s been on my rss reader for a long time now!
    I just saw this and thought about you. It’s a great idea for your Frosta stools:

    http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-email/how-to-make-a-great-side-table-from-ikea-frosta-stools-home-hacks-109134

  • Holly
    July 3, 2010 at 3:07 pm

    These stools give me some great ideas! You could use them in so many different rooms and imagine all the diffent color combinations you could use! I’m now going to have to go buy me some of these!

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