# Kitschy Kitchen Stools This Hardwood Step Stool is Handmade and Vintage By Farida Helmy | Published 2014-06-15 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/step-stool References: [betterlivingthroughdesign](http://www.betterlivingthroughdesign.com/accessories/hardwood-step-stool/) & [store.kaufmann-mercantile](https://store.kaufmann-mercantile.com/collections/new-items/products/hardwood-step-stool) If you’re feeling all grown up and want to make a purchase that isn’t from [IKEA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikeas-bsingen-collection) to give your space a mature and cultured look then treat yourself to this gorgeous handmade hardwood step stool. Designed by former architect-turned-furniture designer Aaron Poritz and talented Nicaraguan craftsmen, the step stool is no regular piece of furniture. It is a [super smart multipurpose piece](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/girard-stool) that has a distinctly vintage 1950s kitchen vibe to it. The functional and attractive piece works as both a [kitchen accessory](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-pole-collection) to reach those place you could never get to on your own or as an eclectic side table with extra storage for all your coffee table books or magazines not on show at the moment. Made using old lumber from 300-year-old Nanciton trees, the stool is definitely the perfect piece you need. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.0/10 - Popularity: 66% | Activity: 15% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Home](https://www.trendhunter.com/home) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Vintage-inspired Furniture:** Designing and selling vintage-inspired multiple purpose furniture pieces made of old or repurposed materials, like the hardwood step stool, for a cultured look and eco-friendly purchasing options. - **Multi-functional Objects:** Designing and creating smart pieces of furniture, like the hardwood step stool, that have multiple functions and can be used in a variety of spaces to optimize storage and functionality. - **Nicaraguan Craftsmanship:** Applying the unique talents and techniques of Nicaraguan craftsmen to create non-traditional pieces of furniture like the hardwood step stool that can add personality and character to a space. ### Where This Applies - **Furniture:** Crafting and selling unique, multi-functional pieces of furniture like the hardwood step stool can appeal to customers seeking functional and attractive statement pieces. - **Home Decor:** Designing and creating unique pieces of home decor, like the hardwood step stool, can appeal to customers who are looking to add personality to their spaces without sacrificing functionality. - **Sustainable Design:** Utilizing old or repurposed materials, like the 300-year-old Nanciton trees used for the hardwood step stool, to create eco-friendly pieces of furniture that appeal to environmentally conscious customers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Modernized Wooden Stool Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eames-turned-stool.md) - [Handcrafted Stone Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pebble-stool.md) - [Thoughtful Reclaimed Material Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noah-folding-stool.md) - [Sleek Minimal Space-Saving Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/altura.md) - [Highly Functional Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loki-stool.md) - [Colorful Dual-Purpose Stool Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/s1-stool.md) - [Eco-Friendly Designer Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/herman-miller-girard-stool.md) - [Plastic-Inspired Wooden Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plastic-translation-stool.md) - [Sculptural Monochromatic Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monochromatic-stool.md)