Woodworking

Haha it wasn't sturdy when it was new, what a design. I guess it'd be okay for small children (reaching sink to brush teeth, that sort of thing.). I'd still reinforce because that one time an adult steps on it's gonna bear trap their legs.

That said, this would be super neat as like a planter holder or something - pure decoration. A fresh coat of something to make the character lines pop. I'm amateur as it gets and would probably varathane it lol so don't ask me how.

It'll only cost you time and a few materials. When I take on a project I never consider it a waste of time even if I fail. Just enjoy the process.

If you have the time there's no harm, but you're probably going to want to disassemble the steps to repair it halfway well.

Depending on the weight of the person/people who will be be using it, you might want to rethink the design or make the steps out of something thicker/beefier. Since the two treads are essentially cantilevers, the riser and torque is all that's prevent the far end of either step from collapsing. I don't think a butt joint is good enough here, even if it has a backer (as the pictures show). A finger joint between the treads and the riser, with many smaller fingers, is probably your best bet. You'll probably want a table saw and a jig/slead to cut them, unless you're familiar with a good alternative and/or have the skill and time to do it with hand tools.

I like the look of it too. But even if the bottom step were a single piece of wood, that's a bad design. If you support that bottom step under the riser and from there to the front, maybe. Best be lightweight.

Depends how short you are...

I'd do it, though I might cut new side stretchers and do a full mortise and tenon through the legs; maybe also add a cross stretcher between.

But I agree, looks pretty neat