Hi, I don't think they have to match either, but I did 'match' mine. My kitchen table chairs and my counter stools are all ladder back chairs. But, the counter stools have arms. I used the same fabric on all of the chairs. I did this because my kitchen table is close to my island and I just didn't want so much going on, but I've seen many pictures on this forum where they don't match and I think it looks great as well. Hopeful

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!

One black stained alder wood with white quartz top. The surrounding kitchen is stained alder with gray quartz. I feel the kitchen looks dark and wondering about counter stools and table head chair. Thinking a linen wing back (but with modern twist) as table head) and maybe similar counter stools??

Good morning! I thought I found one at Wayfair, but they’re out of stock. We have some good shoppers here, hopefully they see this and can help. If you do decide on the wooden one, though, I found it cheaper: https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Carbon-Loft-Horseshoe-Reclaimed-Wood-and-Iron-Bar-and-Counter-Stools/23004843/product.html?kwds=&refccid=TR2VIMIUPG2LUF2EFYE2LJLECU&rfmt=&searchidx=14 Good luck! :) ETA: I just looked here at Houzz, but not sure if you want this color: https://www.houzz.com/products/carolina-classics-jamison-24-upholstered-metal-counter-stool-in-brown-and-black-prvw-vr~167327624 It comes in three heights.