Remove the upholstered top from the stool. In this case, the whole section lifted out from the wooden surround once two screws under the lid were removed. Wash and dry the woodwork to remove any dust and grease. If the original finish is past its best, give the stool a quick rub down with sandpaper to remove any flaking varnish.

Coat the woodwork with a thin layer of well-stirred chalk paint using a soft 4cm brush and work in the direction of the grain. Leave the first coat to dry completely before re-painting the stool to give it an even finish. Use a soft brush to sweep furniture wax over the dried paint surface and leave it for a couple of hours before evenly buffing the wax to a shine with a scrap of soft cotton cloth.

Cut fabric into squares and stitch right sides together to make a panel slightly larger than the upholstered top. Add a 3cm wide border of fabric around the panel to make the seams more secure. Press the patchwork and topstitch onto layered-up wadding, if desired, to give it a comfy cushion. Lay the panel centrally over the top of the stool and pin to the existing padding. Flip the top over and use a staple gun to securely fix the edges of the panel underneath, mitring the corners. Slip the top back into position and secure.