Ben McGhee, The Workers Stool (FURNITURE 2025)

Photos:

Ben McGhee

Country

Australia

This stool is crafted entirely from recycled timbers. The main structure was salvaged from a vintage silky oak dresser that was severely damaged during the 2025 “Not-Cyclone-Cyclone” in Brisbane, while the butterfly inlays are French oak, repurposed from a decommissioned wine barrel. All joinery was hand-cut, using traditional techniques of glue and tenons to create a strong, lasting construction without reliance on modern fasteners. Designed as a true workman’s stool, it is built at the ideal height for tasks such as chiselling at a bench or sorting materials on the floor. Sturdy yet comfortable, it balances practicality with elegance. The design draws inspiration from modern Japanese woodworking and philosophy, which holds that functional objects can—and should—also embody beauty. Even in the workshop, where utility is paramount, this stool proves that craftsmanship and aesthetics can coexist seamlessly.

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