I have had a set of four Ikea stacking stools for years. The $14 version of the iconic $500 vintage Alvar Aalto stool has done stylish double-duty as extra seating, side table, surface for projects… in a number of spaces I’ve had. In my new space I built a nook just to store a stack of them at the ready. In 2012, when they disappeared from Ikea stores in the US, I spent hours trying to get Ikea to bring them back, to no avail. Finally, I found a good knockoff of Ikea’s knockoff on Amazon. Now at last, Ikea has brought the Frosta back to the US, inspiring all sorts of hacks and embellishments.
They take well to painting. You can copy Artek‘s (maker of the $275 plus Aalto model) lead and go for colors…
…or monochrome
…their angular lines invite color blocking (a how-to video here)
They look great dip-dyed
…Their flat pack design is easy to assemble and…
…inspires creative hacking…like this sweet chair…
…swing…
…and stylish bookshelves using the legs as mid-century-looking brackets…
You can buy the stools at Ikea stores for $14.99 each. If you need them mail-order, Amazon will deliver a set of four very similar ones to your door for $55.
Here are mine stashed in the wall bed unit in the living room.
Top image: Musta Ovi via My Scandinavian Home
