Cute, Anna. Reminds me of one my brother made for me many, many years ago.

I'm going to be making something like this, but hoping to add another step and some guardrails (side walls?) on the sides so that our just turned 1 yr. old can find his way down off of our tall bed. This gives me some more ideas! Oh, and I know I'm going to build it b/c I've heard my hubby tell my girls, "Mommy is going to make him something so that he can down safely"--he believes in me!

I have some beautiful square cut nails that would be perfect for this!

I have been wanting something like this ever since we've been considering potty training our toddler. And now... I want to paint it pink, even though we have a boy. Ana you are amazing.

Oh... how... cute... I dont have any small children (or grandchildren yet) anymore, but I still want to make this, and paint it pink! I have all kinds of places where a stool like that will be useful in my house! I like how your stool is flaired at the base too. I love the exposed screw heads too. Makes it look, like you said, well used and far from perfect. Love it. Thanks again Ana!

I've been waiting for something exactly like this. My niece is pregnant and this is something I planned on making for the new baby!! Thanks for the plan, Ana!

So so perfectly vintage! Love it and the colour choice. This is such a great piece, thanks Ana!

I have a very tall bed and a step stool like this with an upholstered top would be soooo lovely. I'll have to get on that :)

I LOVE this finish!! That is SO cute!! I have boys, so mine would have to be blue but I'm SO taking sand paper to that baby!! (The stool, not my actual baby.)

I love this and I need this for me !!!!!! The finish info is very helpful. Thank you Ana. i need to start collecting scrap and recycle wood for these little projects.

I totally need this since I am short. :) Thank you sooooo much.

I am excited to make this, might need two or three for all my boys :) unfortunately not pink :I

This is adorable but it looks like the one you built has angled legs. Do you have the angles? I love the look.

Just finished this step stool and it turned out great! It feels very sturdy and is super cute. I wanted an easy project to test out my new Kreg jig (which, by the way, I LOVE). It took me about 2 hours and less than $20. Now I just need to decide on a color. This will be a great gift and cheap if you use scraps!

Thanks Ana for the great plans! I built this on Sunday. Pictures here. http://amykayparnell.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/super-stool/

@ Amy--great job! What finishing technique did you use?

Well I know next to nothing about finishing, so it's probably all wrong. But I stained it dark then painted it yellow. Oops paint FTW! Then sanded it. Everyone thinks it's really old, not a few days old!

I decided to tackle this step-stool as a first build as an OMG moment. When my husband’s almost 4 yr/old granddaughter was taken just a little too much time in the bathroom washing her hands, cuz' she is "big enuf' to do it by herself", she was standing on the toilet washing her hands. All I could picture was her slipping and busting her chin or head on the countertop or toilet. So, after a quick trip to town, I had all my wood. Out to the barn and started cutting, it took me all of 15 minutes to cut everything out and sanding, well that took a few days. I had to clean out the storage building in the hunt for my sander. Which amazingly sprouted wings and flew away. After another trip to town to purchase a new sander, I finally had it sanded. I asked my husband to use his new (Valentines present, purchased with motive) Kreg gig, to drill the holes for me. Now it was together, what to do for the finish?? After having it sit on my kitchen table for about a week (nope don't use table much) I decided to stain the little step stool. I had oak stain and black stain (both from previous projects), oak stain first ... ugh, hated it; try the black stain, not a good look. Paint? Why not?! First some white then a touch of red and lastly turquoise. OMG again, that looks like one Hot Mess!! Sand like crazy, O' O' that is starting to look like something. But what? Old barn wood. Turned out great!! Woo Hoo! Husband thinks I did it purpose, little does he know. I have tried to post a picture but unable, not because of site, but because my lack of know-how. Love the new site!! Love all that you do!!

I just bought the wood and started cutting for the foot stool. I only have a circular saw, not a jigsaw. Do you think I should buy a jigsaw - will it make the cuts easier for this? Also, should I buy a cheap one ($30-$50)or is it worth it to invest in a more expensive one ($100 -$150). Any advice would be appreciated!

Erin

There's really no replacement for the jig saw, unless you decide to drop the big bucks on a bow saw or band saw.

Dremel tools are great if you're making models or doing fine detail work, but I hardly every use mine. Routers are better for duplicating an existing curve.

The only other option you might consider is a coping saw. It will take slightly longer, but it's quite inexpensive and perfectly capable of making these cuts.

Thank you so much for the advice. I do have a coping saw, which I was thinking about using for the curves. I think I will invest in a less expensive jigsaw anyway. I'll try to post pictures when I'm done. Thanks again to Anna and Clay.
Erin

Shouldn't the length of the side pieces be 16 1/2"? 8 + 7 1/2 + 1= 16 1/2. Right? Or am I missing something, which is ENTIRELY possible. ;)

Ahhh, okay that makes sense. Thank you so much Clay! I'm not a skilled or experienced woodworker by any means so I appreciate the assist!

In the dark ages before there was an Internet, shop class was a mandatory part of the educational curriculum, and drafting was about half of the introductory class. Unfortunately schools are defunding vocational training like shop class and home economics.

this is a great thing to build with youre dad because you get quality bonding time

I love the finish on this stool - it's very inspiring! If the weather in Chicago cools down in the next few weeks, I might be tempted to make one that looks just like this!

Ana, I looked at many step stools (this one will be for our dog to get on to the bed) and my wife and I both chose this design. My question to anyone who might have experience with this. In so far as looks and possibly safety is concerned, how would it look if the corners were rounded on this vintage stool?

Ana, when you are ready to cut out your sides from your 1 x 12 blanks, use some good double sided tape to adhere your two pieces together. When you cut, you'll get two exact sides. Keep them taped together and sand them. Pull apart when done. Cuts your time in half.

It appears that in the final photos the legs are splayed outward but in the plan it appears they are perpendicular. What gives and are there other plans for the stool with the splayed legs?

It appears that in the final photos the legs are splayed outward but in the plan it appears they are perpendicular. What gives and are there other plans for the stool with the splayed legs?

How can I make the stool with the legs at an angle like in the picture? I have cut everything out and it is ready to put together, but I'm stuck on what angle to make it. It makes the top come together too much. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

there are plans for a stepstool with angled legs in ana's book (project 14) - albeit with a slightly different (inset) front step

Hey all...I am getting ready to cut out the sides and am confused about how far in to cut the front part of the stool. On the plan it has a height of 5 5/8s, but the mark to the left of that measures from the bottom of the page to the top saying 1/2" Is that how far to measure in from the bottom to the top of the 5 5/8 cut??  Please help...i'm ready to build today and would love to get this right the first time..

debbie cadene.