The X+L 16 stool was designed to compliment the X+L 13 round dining table. However, it can function independently as a seating stool or a side table.
The stool is available in a choice of two timbers - Teak or American red oak. The Teak version is available in Phantom Hands’s signature natural teak and dark stain finishes. The American Red Oak version comes in a choice of two finishes - the dark bluish Burnt Cobalt Coir and the warm red Indian Mud. The warm red finish was inspired by the colour of the deep red earth soil of Bangalore and other places in India during the monsoons; hence the name Indian Mud. The Red Oak versions are brushed lightly with a steel brush to give the wood some texture and bring out the beauty of the natural grains.
The decision to try American red oak was driven by its environmental credentials; the net volume (after harvest) of American red oak is increasing by 28.7 million m3 each year, making it one of the most sustainable timber species on the planet.
With support and technical guidance from the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) the R&D team at Phantom Hands made prototypes with red oak to understand its workability and durability for different kinds of furniture applications. With its open pores, red oak was an ideal choice for experimental stains and paints.
The X+L collection consists of objects designed by Dutch design duo Xander Vervoort and Leon van Boxtel. The objects in this collection are inspired by X+L's interest in art and architecture, as well as their deep appreciation of simple, honest materials and structures. X+L’s distinctive aesthetic, recycling and zero waste are important themes in the creation of some of the objects in this collection.
Further info from manufacturer on X+L 16 Phantom Hands