Where do you want the eyes to go, to the bar, to the window or somewhere else in the room. Wherever the contrast goes the eye will follow.

I think the light would tie in well with the dining chairs and the kitchen cabinetry, even if they donÂt match exactly. Seems like the brown might look like you tried to match, and couldnÂt. I think the black might feel heavy agains the already dark island, with everything else in the room so light.

I like the "rubbed cream" because I think it would help tie in with your cream cabinetry and breakfast area furniture. I like the idea of the lightness being shared across the room to help balance everything and really highlight the beautiful contrast of the wood with the cream colors.

What Pam said. I had to decide this for my kitchen too and went with a dark color, to blend in with the cabinetry, because I did not want to "see" the stools from the LR. I think white stools in the foreground are going to draw attention away from the range/backsplash/hood, which is what should be the centerpiece of the space, IMO.

Thanks for the advice! I'm still undecided, and in the meantime, have run into another option.

These are forged iron, available at overstock's new eziba site. I'm thinking the metal would echo the stainless appliances?

Those latest stools are really lovely! Are they a silvery tone or more of a gold tone?

I really like the cream ones. Beautiful kitchen!
To me, the last ones look more contemporary than what you have in the space.

You came to the option I would consider: match the metal. But the bronze colored faucets match the look of the cabinets and style of the space better. The shiny, polished metal stools may stick out (for the reason stated by prairiedawn) a little bit.

Well, the iron stools do come in a color called "burnt wax," however, I'm not certain what color that really is, and there is no picture.

Here is a link that might be useful: Iron swivel stool

And I should mention, those chairs at the dinette are on their way out. There is no need to match the barstools to those chairs.

I love the metal stools and the industrial look it will give to your kitchen. I loved those type stools years ago, very good looking. But your stools are very artsy and make a great statement IMO.

What color/wood are your cabinets? We just bought a house and ours is the same. No idea what to match with them. I don't know how to post pics to the discussion but I did post a message/pic in the gallery hoping to get some help. I am looking at a rod iron kitchen set but not sure if that will be too stark

Can you post a picture of what you will be replacing the dining set with? I like both the creme and the metal, but would also be considering how they can tie in with the new dining set.

The table pictured is staying. It was a $40 craigslist find that I refinished to match the cabinets. It is an octagonal shape, so it fits the nook perfectly. I hate octagonal, but it's coming back, and it works for now.

The chairs, however, are from another set, and look a little off-color against the cabinets. That leaves me with choosing chairs that look okay with the barstools and with the existing table.

Thank you all so much for sharing your opinions!

In that case...I think I like the Ballard creme ones best IMHO. Beautiful kitchen!!!

Yeah, I think you're probably right. I fell in love with the stunning Emeco line, like those ScottieLee used in his kitchen, and imagined I could use something similar. Because the rest of the decor in my house is traditional, they would probably look out of place.

Are you going to put fabric on your window seat? If so, I would go w/an ORB stool and have the fabric match the seating fabric. JMHO

If anyone of you have a shred of patience left to offer one last opinion on this, I would appreciate it very much.

I decided the Averio's legs were a bit too busy, and might detract from the more refined turn of the island's leg. I also decided on two stools rather than three (less busy, less fighting for four children), and lastly, I decided to match the island rather than the cream cabinets.

Here are the final runner-ups. They are on sale until the fourth, but I want to order soon, as I've noticed some colors selling out.

The Barton:

The LeMans:

I think I like the LeMans better, plus then there is also back support and easier to put cushions on those if you ever decide to do so.

The LeMans would be my choice of the two. The Barton doesnâÂÂt have the weight and elegance to fit the cabinetry in the kitchen.

Thanks! I'll post pictures when they arrive. :-D

I like The Barton the other is so common IMO. But in truth I like the industrial ones above better than any of them.