Karen McCartney introduces a solidly handsome candidate for this week's Object of Desire - the Eggcup stool by Mark Tuckey.

Sometimes a design so simple and timeless arrives on the scene that you wonder where it has been all your life.

The Eggcup stool by Mark Tuckey, designed in 2006, is one such item, combining charm, solidity, characterful flaws and a host of decorating possibilities - all of them useful.



Let's start with its pedigree. Made from Radiata Pine, a fast growing, medium density soft wood from sustainably managed forestry sources, it fits Mark Tuckey's requirement of a low carbon footprint. The wood is dried for up to three months, allowing time for the timber to expand, crack and settle into its (near) finished state.*

The sections of solid timber are then turned by hand on a lathe to give that signature curved shape, and then soap finished for a soft, natural appearance. Hence each piece has an individual character dictated by the subtle differences in the original timber. So a pair of Eggcup stools used as bedside tables are the same but marginally different, ditto four placed around a dining table.


Image by Lucas Allen for Mark Tuckey.

Their versatility as a side table, stool, bedside table, bathroom seat or hallway rest is inherent. Stylistically they deliver a clever combination of honesty and authenticity with a timeless modernity that makes them a great buy, not just for now but forever.

"The Eggcup stool has turned into a bit of an icon for us. People tend to fall in love with the brand and their starting point is often the Eggcup stool. It allows for a little piece of Mark Tuckey in their home," says Louella Tuckey, the brand's Creative Director.

*Wood, being a natural product, continues to modify slightly depending on its context.