Seven Island Stools We Love

Kitchen island stools are one of the most important seating choices we make for a home. Why? Because kitchen islands have evolved way beyond food preparation and dining. They are the place where so many important things happen. School work. Office work.  Chatting with our significant others.  Vacation plans are hatched. On-line shopping accomplished. It’s no wonder that you need an uber-comfortable place to sit, and we can help. The IEG team and I have gathered seven island stools from among our favorite projects kick-start your next kitchen or bar project.  All of these have been time-tested and approved by our clients. Keep reading to find out why we love them!

kitchen, medium brown cabinets, medium brown wood floor, medium brown island with light countertop, white counter stools with stained wood legs, subway tile backsplash, pendant lights

Everything about these stools says comfort and style. Wood-Mode cabinets via Abruzzo Kitchen and Bath. Photo by Dustin Halleck

Tailored and Timeless

Fully upholstered island stools with arm and back support for total comfort? Yes, these island stools from www.leeindustries.com check off all of the boxes.  I can imagine my clients perusing headlines and sipping coffee here in the morning or serving appetizers and drinks to friends on a weekend. Maybe the kids will study longer in such a homey spot! We can always dream, right? My team and I chose a tailored, fine-furniture style for this timeless kitchen because it opens onto the dining and family rooms.  Did you notice the horizontal texture of the stool fabric? It underscores the long line of the island. Plus, we stained the stool legs darker than the floor and cabinets for contrast and interest.

white kitchen, lake house kitchen, two islands, island stools, pendant lights, glass front cabinets, wood floor

Meals are a family affair at this lakeside home. Photo by David Bader Photography

Lake Home Lounge-y

For this Lake Nagawicka home in Delafield, Wisconsin, we opted for island stools from Charles Stewart with a lounge-y  vibe. They reflect the easy-going lifestyle that three generations of family enjoy when they converge for lakeside fun. Again, comfort was a top priority. These stools offer great back support, thickly padded seats plus foot rests so everyone can settle in and chat with the cook while she prepares meals.  I can picture this family’s grandkids sitting at the island, making crafts, doing puzzles or playing board games. The chair fabric is an easy-to-clean faux leather from Kravet.  No worries about catsup and mustard stains from a cookout or melted chocolate mess from your s’mores!

 

kitchen island stools, wood-stained base, upholstered seat and back, kitchen island, medium wood floor, white counter top

Pull up a stool and make yourself at home! Photo by IEG

Curves and Comfort

Clean lines and gentle curves define these island counter stools from Design Master Furniture, which we chose for our client’s Inverness kitchen update.  We couldn’t resist pairing two types of chair fabric for a designer look that is one of our favorites. The stool backs are a buttery-soft acrylic chenille from Brentano Fabrics that cleans up in a snap with only mild detergent and water. The seat fabric is Kravet’s “Unbridled” faux leather and likewise, is easy-to-maintain.

 

kitchen island swivel stool round base, cushioned back and seat

Swivel stools and faux leather fabric in “Outback Cement” by Elite Modern. Photo by IEG

Sleek and Contemporary

How do you like this look? It’s completely different than our first three, with its sleek, metal framework and swivel power! These adjustable stools were the ideal choice for the mix of elegance and glam we created in our client’s Inverness, IL home. That polished chrome footrest injects a little sparkle and contrast to the thickly cushioned seats and backs. Plus, the swivel feature promotes easy conversation and offers thrilling spins for the young kids or grandkids!

 

suburban kitchen, white and stained-wood cabinets, kitchen island, backpslash, mosaic tile inset, pendant light, medium wood floor, island stools, brown and white fabric on stools

These clients live in the Boulder Ridge subdivision of Lake in the Hills. Photo by Matt Warren Photography

Pattern with Pizzazz

These jazzy island stools by Style Upholstering.are truly eye-catching. We love the way they incorporate the kitchen’s dominant colors in such a lively way. The blend of soft brown and white reminds me of cream swirling through coffee! For this project, we wanted island stools that would be as notable as the metallic light fixture above, and our clients tell us we succeeded beautifully. Naturally, these stools are as comfortable as they are attractive.

 

white and stained-wood kitchen, stained wood kitchen island, upholstered island stools with backs and wood bases, light wood flor, pendant lights

Island stools by Berman Rosetti; Photo by IEG

Handsome + Practical

You would never believe that these handsomely tailored stools are upholstered in luxury vinyl. They look and feel similar to leather but are very easy to clean. With the convenient chair-back pulls, you have a smart blend of style and practicality that’s on-target for a busy kitchen. Plus, the tall backs supply a high level of comfort. Here again, we doubled-up with two different stool fabrics. The seat fabric is from  Optima Leathers and the back fabric by Kravet. Both are super cleanable.

 

white kitchen, kitchen island with white countertop, white island stools, pendant lights, glass-front cabinets, medium wood floor, mosaic backsplash

Stools by Design Master Furniture, stool fabric by Maxwell Fabrics

Warm and Homey

These curvy swivel stools bring a warm, homey look to our clients’ South Barrington, IL kitchen. Don’t those rounded backs look ready to hug anyone who sits down at the island? We chose a stain-resistant, tone-on-tone striped fabric that adds a new pattern and texture to the space but doesn’t compete with the custom backsplash.

 

lower level bar, entertainment area, metal and upholstered bar stools, brick and stone accent walls, bare-bulb pendants, stained-wood cabinetry

Elevating a lower-level bar with bar stools, by Charleston Forge. Photo by Matt Warren Photography

We Love Bar Stools, Too!

Rather than obstruct the view of that awesome, natural edge bar top, we opted for low-profile yet high-style stools. The clean lines of the steel frames bolster the industrial-esque elements in this cozy, lower-level entertainment space in Lakewood, IL. Check out the bare-bulb pendants and the wood, stone and brick accents. Of course, the seats can be upholstered in a wide variety of fabrics and colors. We like this soft grey and white option a lot!

Are you ready to talk about updating  your kitchen or bar?

Contact us at 847-705-9569