Steel & Leather Folding Stool

Some projects begin with a need. Others begin simply because I can't stop thinking about them.

That's how this folding stool came to be. I've always admired the classic Roman folding stool and wanted to create my own interpretation. The design challenged me in all the right ways. To build it, I designed and fabricated my own twisting tool to place the twists in the steel exactly where I wanted them, along with a custom welding fixture to hold every part in perfect alignment. Once complete, I hand-rub each frame with a black oxide finish that brings out the character of the steel.

The frame is paired with a seat made from heavy vegetable-tanned bridle leather, hand-laced to the steel for a simple, almost historic character that feels true to the design.

Since making the first one, it's found a place throughout our home. It's just as comfortable for putting your feet up on a quiet Sunday afternoon as it is for pulling out an extra seat when friends stop by. When it's not in use, it folds away neatly, ready for the next time it's needed.

I often find that when I build something I genuinely want in my own home, others end up wanting it too. I think this stool is one of those pieces.