Scrapula, thanks so much. Can you make a few more measurements for me? How high is your work counter, letting me know if it includes the granite or not? Also, how deep is your work counter until it hits the uprise to the next level. Is the height of your bar stool seat 30 inches? I think there are two standard heights...it look like your are that high...the other standard is lower. I am starting to feel better about this, still not thrilled that the work counter is so high, I think the guy screwed up and doesnt want to admit it. Most outdoor kitchens he builds have a tile top, they allow a three inch side tile to finish the look like a custom tile counter top. I was never having tile so there was no reason for the 3 inches above the frig. My frig should have sat like your dishwasher does in your kitchen...the granite goes right over it...no type of cabinet space is above it. My neighbor's kitchen, which he didnt build, and was my inspiration has a regular height 36 inch work counter and a 44 inch high bar (including granite), with 30 inch seat height stools.....its comfortable to sit at. Her bar stools have a hugh padding and might be even higher because of the pad. I havent ordered my bar stools yet but I am definately ordering the ones that match my cast aluminum patio set. I have the dimensions, it would be nice to actually sit in it to double check the height...oh well. Thanks in advance if you can provide me with those measurements:) Good luck on your exam!

After the original wood rotting out, my city replaced the slats in the public park benches with ipe. Hard, dense, and heavy, it's stood up very well to the weather, salt spray from the snowplows, direct sun, etc., turning to a nice even gray color. It's going to outlast the cast aluminum frames. If you build a light construction, I think they will not get too heavy. Teak is another good choice, but quite expensive. I'd also recommend doing a mock up / prototype in cheaper wood prior to starting in on your project. Stool samples, if you will. :-) Here is a link that might be useful: stool sample This post was edited by bobsmyuncle on Sat, Jan 26, 13 at 18:45

Hi, my outdoor pergola, not really a pergola, a canopy less architectural extension over the patio attached to the house, mostly 8x12 beams, needs some paint TLC. The original painters mixed color stain with varnish to get a nice deep dark brown finish, my recent painter suggested to lightly sand, paint with oil whatever color I like, then apply varnish, like epiphanes, on top of paint. Both painters want the job, I want to do it myself, but what technique to use? What would you recommend, oil or latex paint, mix stain with varnish, or varnish over paint?

Wondering what a nice deep rich brown color would go good on cedar outdoor pillars.