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Custom Wooden Step Stools for the
Library, Wine Cellar, or Kitchen

This design initially came about as a result of one of our clients wanting a nice looking, compact step stool that they could use in their wine cellars.
While making the first one, another client dropped by and saw the step stool. He asked if we could do one in another wood for his library. Later another asked if we could do one for their kitchen. From this initial design, we've had fun doing several variations.

While these look deceptive simple, there is a lot of work that goes into making of the step stool. We wanted no exposed fasteners and thus there are up to 36 hand cut mortise and tenon joints in each stool.The hidden pivoting mechanism consists of a combination of threaded inserts, brass sleeving and brass furniture connectors with nylon washers to allow for smooth folding.

To bring out the beauty of the wood, we hand oil multiple coats of finish and then use an oil/resin mix in the final coats to give the steps protection. The sheen is kind of between a satin and a semi-gloss. This type of piece really does not look good with a high gloss finish.

We are taking this design and playing around with it a bit. The real fun is digging out special boards for the steps that show off the beauty of the wood grain. We also mix woods to for another design "look".

The design blends in well with any room. Folded or open, it makes a nice plant or ceramics stand when not in use.

The broad step surfaces provide a comfortable and stable stepping area and they easily hold my 200lb+ weight.

One fun thing is watching a client first trying to figure out how to fold and unfold it.

Dimensions:

Closed: approximately 24" high x 18" wide x 12" deep

Open: approximately 24" high x 18" wide x 24" deep

Executed in Mahogany, Oak, Cherry, Maple, Walnut or whatever neat woods comes we come across.

Cost - $475 - $550 and up depending on the wood and style. We use UPS packaging services and the cost ranges between $75 and $100 for packaging and shipping depending on where you are located. We simply bill what UPS bills us.

Lead time - since we are not a "factory" churning these out, the average lead time is 8-10 weeks from commissioning.

You can click on any image to see a larger version

Mahogany step stool
	( note: the slight tilt of the steps is caused by the gravel )	The stool can be used as a stand for flowers, ceramics or even a lamp.
A solid sided version of our step stool using some rare, figured, crotch Walnut For some time we'd been thinking of doing one of our step stools with solid sides but never got around to it. Then a client called, saying he loved the look of wood and wondered if we could do one with solid sides to show off the wood for use in his library. I chose a piece of walnut I'd been saving for some time. The main step all comes from the same board and the figure wraps up one side, across the top and down the other side. Due to the rarity of the crotch walnut, this is truly a "one of a kind" piece. The result is pictured here and candidly I like the solid side look better than the open sides. The sides have a slight taper that is not readily apparent in the pictures. They taper from about 11" wide at the base to 9" wide at the top.
One client chose Oak for this wooden step stool to give it a slightly lighter look
A wooden step stool made from beautiful and rare Curly Ambrosia Maple
The Ambrosia term refers to the veining caused by an insect getting into the wood.  This results in some beautiful patterns.	Here you can see the dense curl of the Maple.  It is rare to find both Ambrosia and Curl together in a tree.	If you look closely you can see the two holes where the insect burrowed into the wood.  You can also see the stunning, almost oriental clouding patterns that emerge.
Step Stool executed in Cherry Here's how it folds and unfolds
To open, you simply pull straight out on the lower step.	To close, you gasp the lower step	Then, simply lift straight up and it all folds together
Betsy wandered into the shop the other day and said "Sooo ... when do I get a step stool ??". After 36 years of marriage I knew that is was really a "command". The benefit is I got to play with some new wood combos. This step stool was done with over 150 year old walnut and cherry with our standard oil finish.
		Some really nice grain ... also, like other pieces we do, we consider things like the knot to be a decorative feature. After all that is the way nature made it.
Please return to see what new designs we come up with for our wooden step stools