We had the same decision to make. We ended up buying one black and one honey colored barstool from Pottery Barn. We lived with them for a couple of weeks. After that time we felt the honey colored one seemed warmer - even though it did introduce another color. Here's a pic taken before we exchanged the black one. Good luck. :)

I have black counter stools! They used to be white, but I painted them matte black when we remodeled our kitchen. They are an older model from the PB outlet 7 years ago!

We have stools very similar to the PB ones posted by kmcg85. They are the newer version, I think, as we just ordered them a few months ago. They are of very good quality (don't tip, seem solid, and have good seat strength). Pottery Barn also has other colors in these stools (red, cream, honey, mahogany, I think).

Jan

My pics of black stools - they don't go with any of the wood tones in my kitchen, but I think they tie in the soapstone counters (At least that's what I was going for!)

Mine are black metal with tan fabric seats:

{{!gwi}}

coleen,

Where did you get your barstools. Are they strudy..Thanks Paddytc

lyfia
Mine are from linens n things. They were just going to be temporary, but I really like them. They are unobtrusive and were they cheap! As you can see I have alot of different wood going on here, but to me black is a neutral

paddytc - They are terrific - I'm really happy with them. Initially I ordered some other stools from Ballard Designs, but they were very flimsy (and I have 2 young kids who have tested them!) so I sent them back and ordered these instead. I actually got these from Amazon (although I'm sure you can get them elsewhere)- they are called Carolina Cottage. I'm very happy with them.

coleen---Do you know the name of the stools. I went on Amazon and saw two different names and two different prices for the same looking stools one Venetian and one Verona. Are yours bar or counter height? If counter do they have one bar on front and back and two bars on the sides.. I have Pietra Cardosa counters...soft black. How do they look against I believe your soap stone..

Thank you everybody for sharing. I'm going to show it to him this weekend.

Now your pictures got me thinking if I want a back or backless. I hadn't even considered backless.

They are the Venetian - 24 inch stools. They are really comfortable and clean up nicely. I spent a long time agonizing over counter stools and I'm happy with them! They have a bar in the front and on the sides - it's a good position for a foot rest. They look great with the soapstone. Even though the soapstone is on the perimeter and the marble is at the island, I like it a lot. I didn't want to try to match the island. Good luck!

Amylville-gorgeous kitchen! I've been looking at those same stools, but the description gives no measurements. Can you tell me how deep/wide the seat is? Thanks.

superchick, thanks for the compliment. The seats are 17.5 x 9

Here's ours:

Here is a link that might be useful: black stools

Joyce, I peeked at all of the photos of your home; hope you don't mind.
Your home is beautiful, serene, and welcoming.

Wow, Monablair, thank you so much for your kind remarks. I'm not really confident on my decorating skills... Oh by the way, I'm a big fan of yours! You always give great suggestions on this board, and your home is breathtaking.

Well, thank you for your kind words.

Honestly, your home looked like a magazine layout but without the "staged" feeling.

I think that's a very difficult atmosphere to achieve...a very effortless look as though everything is as it should be without trying hard to make it work. I especially liked the art niches in your long hallway. I wish I had thought to do something like that in our home.