The Wish List: Alison Brooks' Perfect Kitchen Stool
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A project initiated by the American Hardwood Export Council and Benchmark Furniture, "The Wish List – What I have always wanted is…" brings together a stellar list of architects and designers to create a compelling installation, The Wish List, which will be exhibited at the V&A during the 2014 London Design Festival (13 September - 24 October).

Winner of the AJ Woman Architect of the Year Award, Alison Brooks has commissioned British designer, Felix de Pass to make her a set of kitchen stools.

When asked about her thoughts behind it the commissioner says, ‘The stool that sits at the counter in my kitchen is the most popular seat in the house. I think stools offer a dynamic kind of sitting - they let you perch somewhere to eat or read a paper or work on your laptop, there's a temporary-ness to sitting on a stool; you don’t have to commit to sitting down. I have never been able to find a really great kitchen stool that is the right height for a kitchen counter and that is quiet, clever and beautiful.’

On working with Felix, Alison comments, ‘I was impressed and intrigued by the quality of work on Felix’s website. He subtly combines ingenuity and poetic detail with pragmatism and clarity of purpose. This is an achievement in a world where too much design is trying too hard to be noticed.’

Alison and Felix have chosen to make the stools in American cherry. Alison comments, ‘Cherry has a tight grain with lots of character, the colour grows darker and richer over time to an incredible burnt umber colour. It reminds me of my mother's collection of early Canadian/antique furniture, and her showing me how drawers were made with beautiful dovetail joints.’

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