American Studio Bar Stool by Michael Elkan

This studio crafted stool by Oregon woodworker Michael Elkan captures the meeting point between nature’s irregular beauty and refined craftsmanship. The seat, carved from a single slab of burl wood, retains its live edge — a rugged, textured reminder of the material’s origin. Its surface bears the natural marks and variations of time, giving the piece a tactile authenticity that mass production can’t replicate. Set on three slender, tapered walnut legs joined by simple cross stretchers, the stool balances delicacy with strength. The smooth geometry of the base contrasts with the organic top, creating a visual dialogue between control and chance. Signed and dated on its underside, the piece reflects Elkan’s enduring philosophy: that design should honor the raw integrity of its materials while revealing the maker’s hand in every curve and joint.