The idea of the stool started with a few leftover offcuts of wide planks in Mentsen workshop, and needing a small step to reach the top shelf at home. Taking a little cue from the structure of classic Ulm stool by Max Bill, and made a couple of very simple step stools.

A friend saw it and wanted it for his daughter, Tova, to reach the bathroom sink. Tova stool is the result of detailed refinements which were made to the original.

The super normal boxy form works well as a multifunctional piece of furniture, from kitchen/library steps to entrance stool or bedside tables.

Step for the great and small. Tova Stool is a further refinement, with slightly bigger dimensions than the original version by Mentsen to suit a variety of people and use.

Made from honest and sustainable material, sourced from FSC® certified oak wood.

Mentsen is a London-based design practice established in 2011 and a partnership between two Japanese designers, Yasuyuki Sakurai and Risa Sano. The studio name, meaning ‘surfaces and lines’ in Japanese, references to working in different mediums and scales.

Working internationally, Mentsen offer product design and art direction for businesses and cultural organisations. Our work is the result of collaborative process and mutual understanding with clients; this enables us to deliver authentic design solutions that enhance experience, influence and emotively engage the audience.

Clarity and thoughtfulness are at the core of studio’s approach. Making often gives an additional layer to the design process, aiding us to understand materials, constructions and production processes. We test ideas and experiment with materials in our workshop, as well as making objects and furniture for commission.


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