BurlinsonbyDesign

Woodworking · October 2025

Kitchen Bar Stools are designed to elevate the everyday.

A balance of proportion, comfort, and craftsmanship.

Two finished cherry bar stools with saddle seats under a kitchen island
Completed
October 2025
Species
Cherry
Board thickness
2 3/4"

Crafted for modern living, these hardwood bar stools offer a refined balance of clean lines, ergonomic comfort, and durable joinery. A gently contoured seat, subtle leg tapers, and integrated footrests make them as inviting as they are functional. Built by hand from select cherry and finished in a natural oil, each stool reveals the warmth and grain of the wood while standing up to everyday use. Designed to complement a contemporary kitchen with timeless craftsmanship.

Design Philosophy

‍These stools are more than seating — they’re architectural accents. We set out to create a clean, confident silhouette that complements contemporary kitchens without overpowering them. The form is straightforward, yet full of quiet intention: slight flares, subtle tapering, and crisp edges converge to express structural clarity.

‍Craft & Construction

‍Each stool is built from solid cherry, with carefully selected grain that flows vertically along the legs and horizontally across the seat for visual harmony. Joinery is robust but refined — hidden mortises, snug tenons, and the occasional exposed lap or half-lap where detail and strength meet. The footrest is located at just the right height to encourage posture and ease, without sacrificing aesthetic.

‍Comfort & Usability

‍Ergonomics matter. The seat is gently contoured — enough to invite lingering, but still minimalist. The stools are sized for standard bar and counter heights, leaving ample clearance under the overhang. Sleek stretchers reinforce the legs and serve as a natural footrest. The finish is my standard goto - Watco Oil based.

In the shop

Drag to browse

  • Raw cherry boards and stool frame pieces cut and laid out on the workbench
  • Cherry stool leg being milled
  • Stool stretcher joinery being cut
  • Cherry stool frame pieces dry-fit before glue-up
  • Sanding a cherry stool leg
  • Cherry bar stool frame with stretchers clamped for glue-up using orange and blue bar clamps
  • Checking the stool's saddle seat fit
  • Cherry stool joinery detail mid-assembly
  • Shaping the stool's saddle seat
  • Underside of a cherry bar stool seat, showing the "Handcrafted by M. Burlinson" branded stamp and a walnut inlay stripe

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A Gift of Craftsmanship

Many friends and family have asked how they can support my woodworking journey. You’re welcome to contribute to the studio by helping invest in tools that expand what I can create. There’s no pressure, just an open invitation to be part of the craft in a way that feels meaningful to you.

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