A round seat on four legs, the oldest piece of furniture there is and little improved since. Low enough to pull up to a desk, sturdy enough to stand on.

Vincent stands on the stool, pocketknife in hand, while his sister backs up to the door frame. Feet flat on the ground, Emily.

Constructed by hand in hardwood, finished dark in a low-VOC water-based stain, sealed and waxed, the edges carefully distressed to a soft two-tone. Variations in natural wood grain and color are to be expected.