Nice kitchen, not as nice bar stools for your space (and I can be the queen of scrolls).

I think it would look nice and fit more with the style of your kitchen if you got some that were more casual. Maybe black wooden legs, to bring the color down to your floor and then a nice padded parson type top in a color that would pick up from your floor tile.

They would be much more comfortable, too, and wouldn't have the problems with screws in metal.

It's funny, we had to redo everything so quickly after Katrina, that I *thought* I liked everything at the time. But I didn't get to really take my time and find everything I wanted to find. And now, almost 3 years later, I'm redoing a lot of things and really figuring out the style I want. It's driving DH nuts. LOL!

Parma, Do you have a picture of an example of what you were thinking of?

I found these on allbarstools.com. I'm going to look in person too but want to get an idea of what to look for. Thoughts on these?

1)It's a swivel though. A square would probably look better, right? $

2)

3)This one is $260 per stool. That's more than the others...
{{!gwi}}

4)
{{!gwi}}

I don't care about the upholstery. I'm queen of reupholstering things.

Then there was this and I could put a cushion on it, but that wouldn't be as comfy I suppose:

Anything else out there? I just don't see anything that completely *wows* me yet.

I like 2 and 3. I was suggesting fabric back for comfort, too. Like the legs on 1 and 3.

No reason you can't have wood.

You have a VERY nice kitchen. Good job!

Parma, I haven't seen anything like that online anywhere. Do you have an example? Thanks so much!!

I tried looking for parson counter stools for you. Problem is they are mostly over $200 each. That's where you'd find the soft backs.

Found this chair and on the same site they have a nice one in their Notting Hill collection but I could only find the single ones with arms. Before you freak, the price is for two chairs. :)

I like the look of a little contrast with your beautiful counter and they aren't too conteporary OR too traditional.

Here is a link that might be useful: Home Elegance

Thanks for the link. That's an option to consider. Where did you find them? I may consider them anyway. But then again, the parsons may be something to consider for down the line when the kids are older. I worry that paying that much for a fabric chair when the kids are this young might be a mistake. Recovering just a seat is a lot easier than doing an entire chair, you know? ;P

I just clicked on the Overstock.com link on GW and found lots of less expensive parsons chairs.

Time to start dinner. :)

I purchased four bar stools from Overstock two years ago for a rental apartment that we own, and we've been delighted with how well they've held up, especially with different tenents and lots of use. They weren't the style shown below, but were windsor style, and were surprisingly simple to put together.

This one has upholstered seat and back, and would look great in your lovely kitchen.

Here is a link that might be useful: bar stools

I was just reading my original reply to you. It sounded harsher than I intended, sorry.

There is nothing wrong with the stools you chose and I was referring to the fact that your kitchen seemed to be taking a more contemporary direction. The more I look (the pics are a bit small and these eyes of mine are a bit old)there appear to be birdcage knobs as your hardware. Yes? You have a lovely window treatment over the sink, too.

All I was seeing yesterday was light wood and dark granite. You could certainly go with more traditional counter stools and they would look great!

Nah, I didn't think it was harsh. Don't worry about it. If you have to cut off a conversation, you have to cut it off! No big deal.

No, they're not birdcage hardware. Here's a closer pic (although a bit blurry)...

Closer look at the window treatment. This is the best one I've got. It's hard to see but it has tannish circle swirly things on it:

Here's looking into the kitchen from the dining area:

Backsplash:

I'm thinking casual or traditional or a mix of the two. But when I step back and look at our current barstools, they look too formal...even though everyone seems to love them. It seems like every day I loathe them more and more. They're heavy and the sound they make on the floor when you move them is awful, especially now that most of the rubber pads are gone. And the wobbling! Aaahhh!

Just found a picture of the window shade from before the window was replaced, so excuse the ugly old window. It's not quite this deep in color in real life.

babs711, I absolutly love your kitchen! I have it saved on my favorites! I'm hoping to do a backsplash just like yours someday! I love your valance, too! I'm planning on adding barstools from Target- they're called the Julia barstool (sorry, still new at fiquring out how to add links & photos) They are a dark bronze color, which I think would look really nice in your kitchen.

Everything is so pretty! I love those knobs and pulls.

Now that I have a closer look, the parson style might be too contemporary, anyway. Looked at the link I gave you yesterday and those stools don't look black after all.

I really don't think you can go wrong with a basic black that has a bit of detail.

I've had these for 2 years, get compliments on them all the time, and they are rock solid. I like the wooden ones others are suggesting too but if you're leaning toward metal I've been thrilled with mine. They come in both counter and bar height also and I think they would look great in your kitchen as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: bar stools

I can't make a specific recomendation but I can say this: Make sure the seat swivels (that spelling does not look right?). Also, I would not get upholstered seats with kids eating there. Just get seat cushions that you can eithter put in the washer. My 4 year old eats at the counter and I am always amazed how quickly his seat cushion gets dirty!

Thanks for the link Mimi. It's nice to hear that your's are rock solid. Mine have me so turned off metal, I was ready to give up. I still and kind of leaning towards wood for the casual look though but I don't know if I can find swivel, so I may go with metal again. But I don't know. Robyn, I was thinking that too. The tie-on cushions might be a better bet. The cushions on our barstools now get super filthy but they're microfiber so they clean well. But how often do I actually take the time to clean them? Don't even ask! LOL!

You guys are really sweet. Thanks for the kind compliments on my kitchen!!