Josh & Sarah's Modern Stool

Hi there! I'm Sarah from Arrow & Apple. Although I'm a photographer, I mostly work at home in front of my computer, and I get really tired of sitting all of the time. I asked my clever husband Josh of Subtle Takeover if he could build me a standing height desk, as well as a tall stool in case I do need to sit. Today Josh is going to share his tutorial for building the stool and the optional workspace! I really love my new workspace and I know you will too!Supplies:
4' x 8' (3/4" thick) Sheet of hard wood plywood or similar
wood screws aprox. 1 3/8" long
wood glue
drill
drill bit slightly narrower than screws for pre-drilling
miter saw
jig saw
table saw (optional)
measuring tape
straight edge (T-square would be awesome)
3 shelf brackets

Tip: Measure and mark a line (with a pencil) down the center of all the boards so you have a  reference for when you pre-drill and screw in the screws. Step 1. If you buy you wood at a place like Home Depot, they can rip pieces that you need, so you don't have to deal with that at home! Have them rip the plywood vertically into 3 pieces. the first being 13" by 96" (for your stool) and the other 24" by 96" (for the work surface), leaving you with a piece the is about 11" by 96" (scrap, save for other projects!).

Step 2. Take the 13" by 96" piece and cut it into 3 pieces:

Piece A (will be the seat): 12" by 13"

Piece B (will be the back leg): 30" by 13"

Piece C (will be the front leg): 30.5 " by 13" (each end at a 15˚ angle for the angled front part of the stool.)

Step 3A. Mark (as shown) on Piece C Step 3B. Drill out a couple of holes.
Step 3C. Cut out with jig sawTIP: When pre-drilling and screwing, make sure you pre-drill and screw in the outermost screws first, and then you can pre-drill and screw in the middle screws. This will help you to make sure everything is attached straight.

Step 4. Glue pieces A & B together (the wood should be aprox. 3/4" thick, half of the is 3/8", so measure and mark a line about a 3/8" from edge so that when you screw in, you're hitting the middle of bottom piece). Pre-drill holes every 2" or so, and screw in.

Step 5. Glue pieces A & C together, then pre drill holes every 2" or so, and screw in.

Step 6. Measure and cut for Piece D. I included my measurements, but I would re-measure just to make sure it's a nice tight fit.  Apply glue to three sides.

Step 7. Pre-drill and screw three screws through Piece B

Step 8. Pre-drill and screw in three screws through Piece C

Step 9. Pre-drill and screw in 5 pieces through Piece A

Step 10. An easy way to find out the dimensions for Piece E is hold it against the upright still and mark with pencil (as shown) you may need to mark both sides as Piece B may not be at a 90˚ angle. Cut.  Step 11. Pre-drill and screw in through Piece B every 2" or so. Step 12. Pre-drill and screw in through Piece C every 2" or so. 

Step 13. Let glue dry, sand all edges and surfaces, then apply polyurethane (optional)

Optional Step. To create a standing height workspace, take the 2' foot piece (sanded and polyurethaned) along with your brackets and install (just like a shelf) a standing height work surface! We installed ours at 42" high, but make sure the height is comfortable for you.

Thanks so much Sarah and Josh! We love your beautiful stool.

Comments

[Lulu]

This is great! Thinking this will be my fiancés next project :)

Thanks for sharing!

Lulu xx

http://luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com

[Allyson]

So cool! I would totally paint it a crazy color. :)
http://allysonwonderlandphotography.com

[Keri-Anne]

What a clever idea. I just lie on the sofa with a blanket with my laptop ha x

Keri-Anne
http://gingerlillytea.blogspot.com

[Sarah [Sarah The Architect]]

Love their resourcefulness and the rawness of the stool! What a handy husband.

http://sarahthearchitect.com/

[Sarah Kyle (Lady Go Lightly)]

Oooh thats clever!

[tara]

That stool is so cute! Josh is making it look so easy to make! :)

[Katie]

That looks so nice! Great DIY!
Katie xx
http://thegravityandshe.blogspot.co.uk

[Jessica]

Very clever indeed!

http://plantingloveseeds.blogspot.ca/

[Linn]

I love it! It's very modern and clean, yet a little raw and rough. And standing by your desk is much healthier than sitting down all the time.

[gabsARTig]

awesome!
Happy Tu-es-day
Gabs

[Flora]

Very nice.

[Lara]

Love it! It looks really simple but so amazing.

http://sincerelylara.com

[larizza]

What an awesome stool! I love the instructions, they are so clear; I especially like that the pictures are marked with the step number and are right under the step they are describing.
It would be helpful if all diy posts featured here had such detailed instructions! :)

[Lillian Spibey]

This is a fabulous idea, thank you! I have sent the link to my husband and asked him to start this weekend!
http://www.lillianspibeyphotography.com

[Ayumi]

The stool is so cool and modern!! I love it :)

[Mira]

I couldn´t make that in a hundred years but the stool is really cute :)
xo

[Marie]

This is so simple yet tasteful ! Thank you for sharing, I love it already.

[Juliette Laura]

Such a unique shape! Definitely something you couldn't find at IKEA. Beautiful!

xoxo
Juliette Laura
juliettelaura.blogspot.com

[Rachel Denbow]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE functional modern art and this is beautiful! Well done, you two!

[humaira]

I love the captain thunder in charcoal grey and the square one sunglasses in silver! I dont' have sunglasses but these look like they would be a great first pair!