Kitchen islands are so American, and so 21st century… I don’t remember anyone having them in their homes when I was a kid, and now they are standard operating procedure. As tired of them as I get, they do serve a function, and I am a sucker for eating at the bar myself. Counter stools can be a dilemma.
Do you get upholstered ones? (I can’t tell you how many clients ask me if I can vinyl-coat a designer fabric– yuk! Invest in a bevy of Tide-To-Go pens and make it work…) Wood ones can be great, but are they as comfortable? Sometimes yes, and sometimes, no. Woven stools are chic, but food can get caught in the weave and gross some folks out.
Having a footrest is a major plus. Even better if it’s brass or nickel coated for wear and tear. I can’t tell you which stools are right for you, but I can tell you of some that I really like.
1. This stool from Lee is a designer’s secret weapon. It matches any kitchen scheme and never fights with kitchen chairs of any type. Recovering them should be simple, and if it were me, I would trim them in huge railheads.
2. No, it doesn’t have a back, and the picture of this fabric and finish looks like it belongs at the bar of a chinese restaurant on the Vegas Strip or somewhere horrible in New Jersey… but you can choose a lacquered finish or natural wood, a great fabric and then you have major fabulosity.
3. A modernized wicker version, you may cringe at the thought of food particles getting stuck in the weave, but guess what? It can be hosed down outside! And to boot, they can be painted any farrow and ball color.
4. Everyone loves this bistro stool, and with custom color combos, why wouldn’t you. Warning: this is not a stool for large people, its scale won’t accommodate major junk in the trunk.
5. This copy of a mid century wishbone chair is very “now” and I love the limed oak version.
6. Why do I love West Elm? Because it’s cheap and spot on. Will this stool last a century? Nope. But at this price tag, deal with it.
