Pace Stool

Pace Stool

Where traditional craftsmanship meets modern aesthetics

The Vision

Elevation for Everyone

Born from a childhood experience of struggling to find the right dining height, the Pace Stool challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to furniture design. By creating an innovative height-adjustment system that integrates with standard planter pots, we've developed a solution that adapts to users of all ages and heights.

Base Height 18 inches (standard dining height)
Adjustment 1-2 inch increments with stackable pots
Material Red Oak Hardwood with tung oil finish
Pace Stool Design
Initial Problem Sketches

Problem Identification

Exploring the challenges children face with standard-height dining furniture. Most dining chairs are made for average height adults, making it difficult for children to find comfortable seating at the dining table.

Design Solution

Through design ideation and experimentation, the chosen direction is a kitchen stool that seamlessly integrates with standardized planter pots, allowing for height adjustments while maintaining structural integrity.

Mechanism Development
Pot Selection Process

Component Selection

After extensive research and testing, the IKEA VITLÖK 13" Metal Planter was selected for its perfect combination of stackability, strength (supporting 150+ lbs), and aesthetic appeal that complements modern kitchen designs.

Final Integration

The seat was made by creating a 15" square panel from red oak lumber I also attached a pine wooden block on the back of the seat as I intended to turn it on a lathe to a unique design but was unable to access a lathe large enough so I ended up sawing it off later.

With the new drill press jig I created, I made the 1 inch holes for the legs to fit into and had minimal tearout this time(compared to my first prototype)

Since the first prototype created a lot of strain on the seat, I added stretchers with a unique aesthetic design which also achieved the maximum strength without interfering with each other for the 3 legged design. I made angled 1/2" holes with a hand held drill for the stretchers. while maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic.

Final Integration
Final Integration Detail

Final Details

Every detail was carefully considered, from the precise joinery to the tung oil finish, creating a piece that's both functional and beautiful. The result is a stool that grows with its user, adapting to different heights while maintaining its elegant form.

Technical Details
The Result

Thoughtful Integration

The Pace Stool's innovative design includes:

• Compatible with standard IKEA VITLÖK planters
• Stackable height adjustment system
• Reinforced structure for stability
• Clean aesthetic that complements modern kitchens
• Dual-purpose functionality with planter storage