We had the same question in two areas of our kitchen reno. Bar or counterheight for both the peninsula AND when I decided to enlarge the pass through window. We chose counter height for both, and and so happy that we did. Here's the peninsula: and like Nathan mentioned -- we actually have alot of newpaper reading and homework being accomplished and internet surfing going on the non-kitchen side of the peninsula -- Oh! and card playing: with this set-up we can get 3 people playing cards here, too! My daughter likes to make cool decorated cupcakes for her friends, and this large area allows her to spread out and make an even bigger mess . . . Oh, I mean be creative. This was formerly a wall that we took down between the kitchen and DR. When I have a buffet, I take the stools and move them to the pass-through overhang -- shown here. This was the passthru window that had a "bump-up" -- we flattened and enlarged it. I like the counter height all through out the kitchen. And I apologize to people who may be sick and tired of seeing pictures of my kitchen. But so many helped me, I just want to help people who had THE SAME questions I had when I was planning!

Sherilynn, that would be supremely helpful!! (not that I was ever going to get them, but it does make walking away easier). I am thinking of some pottery barn stools, either the Tibetan ones mentioned above (which look identical to the ones on Overstock and cheaper at Overstock, so I'd get them there) or the Megan stool. I think the point of a false sense of security with little kids and a stool with a back is a good one... also, a backless stool is going to be better for me so that I can tuck them under the counter as the spot for the stools is a little bit of a busy passageway. AND the backless stools aren't as wide which is also good for me. THANKS!! ps: I like the stool with the piping. I figured I could get an extra slipcover or two (still a lot less $$ than springing for the Moser stools) so that when the kids spill I can change it out. I have found that the straw seats aren't good for us... my 2 year old spills his milk while eating his cereal and so it isn't very easy to clean it out of straw (yuck!). probably wood would be the best for cleaning, but those megan stools look really comfy. Here is a link that might be useful: Megan stool from Pottery Barn

Just bought (6) leather, low-backed, parson's-styled, chairs from Overstock. Seat height right @ 26" & nicely padded. Bottom of counter is 35.5" with no corbels (used "Counterbalance" supports) & had to pry folks out to the dining room for TG. Height/weight range was a 5'2" skinny-mini to 6'5" > 250 lbs. There seemed to be plenty of leg room. Remember that for counter-height seating, the overhang standard is 15". I think if it's less than that you might want shorter chairs.

Thanks everyone for your help. I appreciate getting the low-down on the different price points and quality. I stopped at PB on Sat to look at drapes. I spoke with an associate about barstools. They didn’t have upholstered ones on display, but they had the chair versions. They were comfortable and nice but I wasn’t thrilled with their wood either...and those chairs were on sale for about $650.+ tax + delivery. Yeah, I had seen the C&B leather ones online. A good price point and seems like an excellent value. But for me the look feels too contemporary for my bungalow. (Also, ‘cuz I’m a vegetarian, I try to avoid leather if there is a reasonable alternative. Obviously, no one here would know that). A lot of rattan ones are cute but I want upholstered counter stools. On Sun a friend stopped over and looked at the whole room (Outside, from the french doors, lol) and thought the stools looked good with everything else. (Previously she gave the thumbs down to things she thought didn’t work). She thought the solid blue looked good with the Blue and white statement backsplash, and that the light colored wood legs gave a bit of beachy feel. I also have a cute little bistro set in the nook, so I don’t need everything to be the focal point. So I think I’m going to call it a day and keep these for now. It’s been a long year and I‘m not excited about spending $2000+ for a pair of counter stools. Maybe if I get sick of these in a couple of years, I can spring for new one and sell these on craigslist, Thanks again! Onward! (Time to finish hanging the art in my house).