The Leo Step-Up Stool
Our new grandson Leo was born in the spring of 2018 during the design phase for the Stuart benches. I wanted to build a small model for that project and the idea was hatched to build a small 7" tall step-up stool for him. Everyone needs a little step-up in the world, now and then.
My first project in woodworking school, some 40-odd years ago, was a "glue-screw-n-plug" mahogany foot stool (below right). It helped to lay the foundation of my woodworking skills, and both of my daughters to reach higher in their early lives. 
Plus it provided a puppy or two something to gnaw on along the way. So I redesigned that stool, with most of the joinery that was planned for the benches: a practical model. It was interesting to reflect on how my skills and approach to woodworking evolved over the generations. History, you might say.
This family legacy piece called out for the interlocking strength of hand-cut traditional joinery, no metal fasteners here. Careful attention was paid to selecting a single slice of walnut from the tree to be rejoined as legs and top in their same relative position in the stool .
The tusk tenons evoke the take-apart, travel, and reassemble characteristics of everyday furniture of the 1600's: the spirit of handmade things and people in motion. (Although they are glued in here). The staked leg tenons, mortise and tenon joinery speak the language of wood fibers intertwining. The model stool with it's big brother bench (left). Taking the time to make a model, whether its for exploring details and proportions in 3-D or working through techniques and solving tooling problems, is well worth the effort...especially if it results in a practical useful product.
Brief description of project
The step-up stool is 9" wide x 7" high x 15" long with legs at a 7 degree angle. It has a hand slot in the top for grabbing and carrying. The same joinery methods for the intersection of top and legs, legs and stretcher, were used in the Stuart benches. The only difference is the lack of an apron under the top. Check there for a deep dive on that.
Leo Step-Up Stool Photo Gallery
