Photos Woodworking: Sled-inspired Step Stool

I recently built a step stool for our friends' daughter.

One of my daughter's best friends is current undergoing treatment for medulloblastoma. One of the side-effects of the brain surgery and the post-op treatment is the rehabilitation to regain some of her motor skills.

Since her bed is higher than a standard bed, she needed a snort step stool to make it a bit easier to climb in and out of bed. I decided to go beyond that and to give her something that she can use as a decorative piece of furniture when she no longer needs it as a step.

She was born in Germany so my first thought was to make something that evokes an old German sled, so I started there and then modified the design to something that I felt looked aesthetically pleasing. the step is also designed so that she can slide it under her bed during the day so that it is out of the way. The following pictures are actually my daughter's room, which is why it looks like the step can't slide under the bed.

It is made with poplar. The rails were left natural; the top slats were stained Red Oak and Early American. I finished it with two coats of satin polyurethane.

 

That looks great she will love it

Is this a hobby or do you do other stuff for work

 

Thanks. This is purely a hobby for me.

 

Have you got any plans to watercool it?

Nice work. I'm jealous.

I'd loved to have seen a build log - even though I can't do any woodwork for toffee, I like seeing what other people can do.

 

The build video is in work - as soon as I get around to capturing the video and editing it all together.

 

WOW!!!!! I am very impressed! It is beautiful

 

Beautiful...sell the idea to IKEA, as that bes is too high