HAY Creates Manolito Stool with Spanish Designer Marc Morro

December 14, 2025  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

Crafted from solid FSC-certified (C148805) pine with an oil wax finish using just a few carefully joined wooden components, the Manolito reflects Morro's longstanding interest in small, improvised stools. 'I often came across them among construction workers, who made them from leftover wood to have something to sit on during lunch breaks,' says the Barcelona-based designer. 'All of them had a structure very similar to the Manolito - the most logical, efficient, and simple construction I can imagine.'

Morro's work is characterized by a pared-down, direct approach that results in logical objects with minimalist, clear constructions. 'Stools, especially of this size, have always caught my attention because of their simplicity and versatility,' says Morro. The Manolito is characterized by a lower cross brace that reinforces the structure and creates a solid joint between the legs and the seat.

A useful home accessory, the Manolito can be moved around the house for different purposes, whether it's as a footrest in the living room, a bedside table in the bedroom, a stool in the bathroom, or a step in the kitchen to reach higher shelves. 'It's a good basic piece to have, from a young age, and one that stays with you,' says Morro. 'It's a perfect first seat for children - and even for adults who enjoy sitting close to the ground.'

Over the years, the piece has been tried and tested by Morro's inner circle. 'I think almost all of my friends and relatives have a Manolito or two at home. My mother probably has around 10,' he says. 'For it now to become part of HAY's collection is a great honor, and truly the best place I could have imagined for it.'

The Manolito stool is available in three colors: Black, Red, and Natural Pine, and comes in either short or long versions.