Well I prefer stools with a table than with an island, so I don't see a problem!

:)

I guess it would help if I posted a link to my kitchen plan :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen plan

There are options out there like from John Boos... but it all depends on your budget. With them, you'd have a real serious work top as you can choose from a variety of end grain woods to custom make the top. They'll even finish it with food safe materials. All comes at a price though.

I love this one:

Here is a link that might be useful: C&B French island

One of the great things about a movable island is that you can push it against a wall to have more work space. There are some great furniture style islands on the market. Check Napa Style for some rustic ones that I think might fit your style. Some of theirs are heavy, so you might need locking castors. You might be able to recess them so as not to increase the height much.

I think you need something like this (not that it'd be any use for sitting):

:)

Here is a link that might be useful: bin table

something like this?
{{!gwi}}

Thank you for the ideas. I like many of them, but remodelfal...I think youre is very similar to one I found. I want a big shelf on the bottom, to store my grandmother's beautiful big ceramic mixing bowl, that she used to make bread. It would be perfect in this kind of kitchen.

I would need the top to extend a bit over the stools :)

{{!gwi}}

A tall table, and high chairs with backs, will keep the ''country farm table'' look I think you're going for, be a more useful height for prepping, and give your husband his bar stools. Unless he's insistent on real ''bar stools'' in which case I would direct him to the grimy local bar and tell him where he can go. Whose kitchen is this anyway?

If you can sacrifice the storage, a place to get your legs under will be nice when you're chopping stuff for Thanksgiving and get tired feet. (A pullout bread board will do, though.)

I really wishing for an old rustic farm table in that space that has worn wood so strong that it could deal with getting cut on sometimes. A person can dream can't they?

Johnilu- That's perfect! He's got bar stools in the basement :)

I love the table idea...still deciding between a wood top or something more stone like. I think I prefer the wood, with maybe a marble "slab" I can use for baking. LOL

The only thing about a taller table is that it would be nice to have a few drawers and a shelf...just so I have the perfect place for grandma's bowl.

Fori- You're so right.

I think Grandma's bowl goes on the middle of the table/island/cart thing with some fruit in it.

DH and I are toying around with the idea of an island with an adjustable height top. something like this...

It would have drop-down sides to hide the hardware in the raised "counter height" position and could be lowered and the sides raised so that it will butt up against the kitchen table for a larger dining room table. It could also be moved out of the way if we wanted. In the counter height position it'll hang over the base cabinet (or shelves/drawers) for a spot for bar stools.

Since there is nothing like this on the market as far as I can tell it'll be totally custom made and we haven't figured out the specs yet since we don't know if we can fit it in or not.
I don't know how handy you or your DH are or if this would work for you at all, but I just wanted to throw the idea out there.

Good luck! I hope you find something that makes you both happy :)

check out Ballard Design. They have a couple of islands that you might like, with drawers and open shelves. I suppose you can always add casters to any of these to make them movable.

Fori- Good point! The bowl is huge and would make a good centerpiece. What's neat, is that it's so big, heavy duty ceramic and it has a flat base. It's very cool :)

Craftlady- I remember Candice Olson had a coffee table like that...it would make a neat island.

Homechef- Thanks for the idea...Ballard Design...is that in Seattle, by any chance?

I am building a similar table - need sitting space one one side - work space with drawer on other. Counter height farm table.

Here is a link to a place that will build whatever table you want:
www.cottagehomemaine.com

How about this one from Houzz:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/michigan-farmhouse-farmhouse-chicago-phvw-vp~65640-farmhouse-eclectic--

Have you checked out Kitchen Island Co.? There are hundreds to check out, although I find the website a bit daunting. If nothing else, it can give you lots of ideas. I think it is very easy to get an island these days that looks like a piece of furniture. Ask your cabinet makers, and they may surprise you. You can also look into getting a custom table made that is at a higher height to accommodate some counter height stools.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen Island Co.

I love these two rustic islands from Restoration Hardware.

Salvaged Wood Kitchen Island

Reclaimed Pine Farmhouse Kitchen Island

I also really love the Crate and Barrel island that pps7 linked.

I was sure I posted something here about farm tables available on ebay, but don't see it. Anyway, there are some good ones, and you can put charming Provencal stools underneath so that you can push them completely under and they'll be totally out of the way when you want them to be.

When it says absolutely no shipping, you can hire your own shipping company to go pick it up. You probably already know that when buying from ebay you need to ask lots of questions and make sure before buying.

Eventually I'm going to get something like this and depending on the condition of the top, maybe add white marble or butcherblock.

Here is a link that might be useful: various antique farm tables

We found an old work table (counter height) to use as an island/additional workspace, but we could only fit a stool at one end. So we ordered a table top from Vermont Butcherblock and DH built a small table that we could fit more seating around. We put locking wheels on everything, and latches to connect table #1 to table #2. Mostly they stay in place, but it is nice to have the option to make them separate, or wheel them about:

The stools do fit under, I was just too lazy to move them.

Here is the latch:

Thank you for all the great suggestions, pictures and links! :)

Also, thank you to everyone, who suggested I put grandma's big bowl ON TOP of the island/table. Great idea! LOL

Finally, I think this is what I've been looking for. It's movable, has great storage, and a drop leaf counter, for stools! What do you think? I'd probably want it in blue, with a butcher block type top...but it's much closer to my "image in my head" :)

{{gwi:617012}}

That is perfect, LL. Is it available in multiples? If so can you give us the link? I love it in the red color. What are those two shiny squares on the end, on the inset photo? I've been looking for a distressed island for a long time and haven't seen anything as good as that.