Shinto-Inspired Bar Stool
PROJECT #1902
Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: Two days
Cost: $50
When it came time to replace the dated and worn bar stools at our kitchen island, I wanted something simple, sturdy and elegant and so I took a few design cues from the Torii gates marking entrances to Shinto shrines in Japan. The curved tops and simple lines of these beautiful thresholds provide the perfect inspiration for a streamlined stool that looks at home with any décor.
Start With the Seat
The heart of this stool is the simple, shapely seat. This will be a visual focal point of the finished stool, so choose a species that looks good and doesn’t split easily. I used poplar. It’s inexpensive and, as a “softer” hardwood, it makes strong, workable chair seats.
Begin with a slab of 8/4 lumber. Square and flatten all faces, edges and ends to final measurements of 17/2" x 9 1/4" x 1 7/8" before laying out the
