Jan, You know, I actually thought about backless saddle stools; there's a store in my area that carries them in various heights, and not only are they reasonably priced, but they also have some that are black distressed (with red showing through) just like my Windsors. BUT, DH has asked for backs (for comfort)... and I would like to accommodate him, if possible!!! BUT, those are a possibility. And another "plus" is that the owner of the store is a friend of mine, so I could bring them home for an evening and try them w/o any committment, and that would be nice! Oakleyok, Thanks for your post, too! I was ALSO thinking about something like that -- something totally *quirky* and just plain *fun*, like a 50's type diner stool, or a real modern kind of stool... or maybe just something with a fun and whimsical (faux, of course!) animal print seat. As you all can tell by now, I have been giving this a whole lotta thought!!! ;o)

Glad they might have something that works. Found my email -- up to 20 percent off, https://www.crateandbarrel.com/sale/dining-seating-sale/ Lovely kitchen, and great that you were able to keep the original beams.

@Jan I understand that's your opinion. My opinion is, without seeing the kitchen, I can't tell if they look good or not. They don't look bad to me in the mock-up. You can't tell by seeing them in a vacuum. The three might tie in with one element in the kitchen, while the two tie in with another. Obviously, taste is subjective. I don't object to mix-and-match if it works. I dislike all matchy-matchy when it feels sterile or pedestrian. I don't object to personality thrown into a space. I don't think they look bad. I, personally, hate stools of all kinds. I find them extremely uncomfortable and pointless. But, I understand it's some people's preference. All I'm saying is taste is personal. @Adil Really, the only way to know for sure if you like them is to get them home and see them in the kitchen. You'll know right away if they feel wrong or right to you. I disagree that the stools have nothing to do with each other. Although the curves are different, the legs are similar, not the same... and that's a cohesive factor...if they're the same wood and stain/color. I can't tell from the pictures.

Depending on your family and life style I would avoid fabric covered anything. The dining room seems to be significantly easier to keep chairs really clean in vs the stools at an island in my experience. For us when we did our kitchen which is open to the dining area I wanted the stools to be very low profile and not be the star. I wanted the island and the colour of it, which is a dark grey called iron mountain to be the star. As a result our stools are actually chrome bottoms and then acrylic see through on the top. With three kids I need to wipe them often but everything always wipes off...I shudder to imagine if they were fabric!