It doesn’t matter if you’re creating a masterful kitchen on an unlimited budget or if you´re upgrading little by little as your means allow – pick a decorating theme and stick to it.

First decide what style best reflects your personality and lifestyle. For example if you have children and often use your kitchen for hurried pre school breakfasts and quick family dinners you will not use the same design as if were a young executive hosting business parties around a kitchen island dispensing martinis and cocktails to guests propped up on bar stools.

Think also about the general theme of the rest of the house or apartment. Does it have clean lines and white tile floors or rustic unfinished wood and parquet? Does it have black leather sofas or hand carved hardwood with rich upholstery? Are you going for Asian minimalism, antique opulence, Euro chic, or country cottage?

In the following series of articles I will present 10 design ideas to help you choose your kitchen theme and select your ideal kitchen bar stools.

The kitchen themes:

1. New York Loft – A brief sketch of loft style, use of open space, use of height and color ideas plus suggested kitchen stools and where to buy them.
2. Boston Pub – A brief description of Boston Pub style, use of rich woods, textures and fabrics, and suggestions where to buy the best kitchen stools to mimic a Boston pub.
3. Thai Teak – A brief outline of teak wood products, and teak care. Also some recommended outlets to buy the best of this South East Asian look.
4. Rattan Garden – A brief article to help you decide where to buy the best stools and what items to blend with rattan furniture to compliment the garden style look in your kitchen.
5. French Provincial – A brief description of the kinds of stools available for a French provincial look that will bring out the creamy café o lait look of any kitchen.
6. Ultra Modern Funky – A brief outline of some of the funkiest modern bar stool and decor ideas that will be sure keep your family and guests entertained around the kitchen counter.
7. Chrome and all that Jazz – A brief description of what kind of pieces to choose from to jazz up your kitchen counter or barstools in modern or retro looks.
8. American Country Comfort – A brief look at what this style is about and how to achieve a cozy, warm kitchen where the whole town will want to come and sip coco atop your stools.
9. Zen Tranquility – A brief summary of what makes Zen so popular, how to achieve this tranquil look in your kitchen and where to buy authentic bar stools that start their life in peace.
10. Chinese Tao – A brief description of what is Tao and how to achieve a masterful Chinese theme using authentic antiques or reproductions to stun your family and guests with real Chinese Kitchen stools.

Want to make your kitchen authentic Chinese Tao? Then why not order direct from Y&T Chinese Furniture Co. They manufacture solid wood reproductions of bar stools from Tibet, China, Japan and Korea. Add red fabric seat cushions, a replica Ming dynasty vase, some tiny tea cups and you’re done! Check out Y&T Chinese Antique Furniture:

(86) 13901116656 (English)
(8610) 6150 2772 (Chinese)
Fax (8610) 6150 2773
1999-2007 107# Li Er SI, Zhang Jia Wan, Tongzhou,  Beijing, China  101113

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Another great option for kitchen bar stools within the Chinese Antique theme is Green Tea Design. Green Tea is also the sole distributor for the Mizuya Kitchen line.

Their wooden barstools are based on Chinese farmers’ stools, made from solid elm (and reclaimed wood salvaged from Korean farmhouses), then varnished with black or red lacquer but keeping the beauty of the wood grain. Some of their pieces are left unfinished, or finished with only a small amount of wax or varnish, so as not to hide the delicate, natural wood grain motif. Some have bold finishes in symbolic colors of red or black. Black Yin for earth, water, North, and even numbers. Red for Yang: life, sky, fire, South, and odd numbers.

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The Real Chinese Stool Deal!

Lily’s Antiques and Hualun Antiques have real antiques and amazingly authentic reproductions. Since 1998 they are one of the largest dealers in Beijing, with 200 employees and 15,000 square meter exhibition center full of unique pieces.

Here’s what you can expect:

They purchase and restore antique furniture, including original Chinese stools, collected from China’s countryside. They focus mostly on walnut from Shanxi, Shandong and Gansu provinces. They have a 7,000 square meter workshop for restoring the antiques and making replicas. When making replicas, they will accept orders for custom sizes if you need a counter stool of a specific height.

If you need some other authentic Chinese pieces to add to your bar or kitchen ambiance, Hualun Antiques has porcelain, pottery, bronze and wood sculpture.
They will arrange transportation service and providing an antique certificate for each piece.

Contact Lily’s Antiques and Hualun Antiques:
Gaobeidian warehouse 8610-65729746/Gaobeidian showroom 8610-85792458
Songzhuang factory 8610-69592824

Chinese Wooden Stools

Chinese Antique Furniture

I have saved the BEST for last….Chinese Antique Furniture Inc is one of those places that if you can’t find your perfect Chinese Tao barstool or dream kitchen accessories with them then what you want doesn’t exist!

Chinese Antique Furniture is an exporter of antique, reproduction, and ancient Chinese furniture. They specialize in collecting, refurbishing and reproducing antique pieces from all over mainland China, Tibet, Korea and Mongolia. They accept custom orders or will reproduce a kitchen stool or piece of furniture based on a photograph of what you desire.

Although the company is located near Hangzhou, China, their staff speaks and writes English and they operate in modern offices.

Chinese Antique Furniture Inc
Yonghe Industy Zone, Shangyu, Zhejiang, China
Tel: 0086-575-82931166
E-mail: linda@eastfurniture.com

Simple. That’s it. It can be wood, dark or light, chrome or black and white.

The only rule with Zen is SIMPLE!

Some good choices can be found at Gingko Furniture.

Gingko kitchen bar stools are well-designed and affordably priced. All their designs are based on Asian aesthetic forms with contemporary twists. Some of the inspirations have come from imperial palaces such as the way the edges of the stools curve upwards like Asian temple rooftops. Their entire collection is made of solid wood, kiln-dried and handcrafted by old world techniques. Since every piece is an original, individual workmanship and the grain of the wood causes slight variations among items. Each stool is hand finished using a 9-step process with multiple coats of hand-rubbed lacquers. 

When a stool is born under the tender care of artisans’ hands, and not in a factory, the task of mounting a tranquil kitchen space is simpler. The stools arrive with the calm touch of their makers. All you do is unpack some ZEN!

With stools around the counter, you might have space for a chair or two, since you will likely have little else in the room – unless you have a few twisting lucky bamboo plants and some auspicious white stones and teeny rake.

The following stools are made of solid wood and are some excellent choices in counter stools and chairs for all your Zen decorative needs:

1. Chelsea Stool -Counter Stool – $175, standard stool and $195, counter stool
   Walnut
2. Chelsea Bench – $490
   Walnut
3. Horseshoe Chair -$360
   This piece looks like a Chinese antique! Actually it’s a traditional design slightly modified for comfort.
   Solid Elm Wood in java or black.
4. Three-legged Stool
5. Mirror Garden Stool
   These look like Chinese temple drums.

6. Zen Bench -$230 and $390
   This is a single plank of elm with gently angled legs and gracious seat curves. It is available in two lengths: 1. Zen Bench 42 inch length for $230. 2. Zen Bench 52 inch length for $390. Solid elm wood.


Zen Counter Stool

7. Zen Counter Stool – $155
8. Zen Stool – $130
   There’s nothing simpler!
9. Zen Bar Stool – $175



Wabi Sabi Bench

10. Ox Stool – $110
    Thick legs…yes, like an ox!
11. Wabi Sabi Bench – $175
    The name says it all. If it’s possible for Zen to be funky, this would be it!
12. Lily Chair
13. Indigo Chair
14. Xian Chair
15. Xian Bar Stool – $325
    This is a new interpretation of an old Chinese classic, also in elm with a rush seat. Available in Java or Natural and finished in Black Stain.
16. Rio Chair – $180
    The Rio is light and airy, although still java or natural colored elm wood, with an upholstered tan chenille seat. I would say it’s a contemplation seat!

Whitewood and oak, unfinished pine and a patchwork quilt nearby. That’s what American country comfort is all about; a fireplace, an oven with fresh warm bread, an open kitchen with enough wood stools around the counter to accommodate the town.

For a comfy barstool try:

1. Country Oak Swivel Bar Stool – based on an early American design in solid oak, with turned legs, wheatsheaf style back and a wood seat that may be custom padded. It’s a sturdy, classic colonial piece that nostalgically reproduces the comforts of homes in simpler times. These swivel barstools are at the heart of cozy American country style available through ivg Stores.
2. Country Pine High Kitchen Stool
   High kitchen stool with no back made of solid beech and your choice of finish: waxed, lacquered or painted, and there’s no assembly required. This is an inexpensive choice, at under $50 each, if you want to accommodate the whole town around your counter.

The Shakers created many simple yet practical styles of high stools that were originally intended as work chairs when they sat their looms weaving or ironing at high tables. Based on the Shaker’s simple design, light weight, yet sturdy construction, a company called S. Timberlake has designed some excellent ladder-back counter stools for daily use at your kitchen counter.



These stools stand the test of time and use and even abuse in commercial settings as is evidenced by this little story: The Timberlake people sold a set of stools to a restaurant client in Portland, Maine in the early ’80’s. Years later the restaurant owners invited the Timberlake people for diner. The original stools had acquired an aged, worn patina, but were just as good as new!

The Shaker kitchen and bar stools for kitchen counters are typically 36 inches high and bar height counters are 42 inches for bar height, but they will custom make any highchair height you desire…well, within reason!

The bands on the seats, called “Shaker tape,” are 100% cotton canvas, so the seats are comfy and also easy to clean. You certainly couldn’t say these were cheap bar stools but they are built to a quality that is well worth paying for.

3. Canterbury Shaker Weaver’s Stool – Item #: CAN5X
   Finished in dark cherry with dark blue and beige Shaker Tape
4. Enfield Shaker Weaver’s Stool – Item# ENF5X
   Custom butternut/raffia Shaker Tape with Minwax Ebony stain
5. Shawl Bar Stool – Item#: SBR5X
   This is one stool that you build yourself,so to speak, by choosing a back design, a seat weave and the type of wood. Choose from maple, early American dark, natural or cherry.
   In 1975, the Shaker furniture catalog had only 8 chairs total. Today they have a catalogue consisting of a hundred and eighty items, in maple and cherry woods. Many of their items are built-to-order so are not in their catalogue. Their motto is to build furniture that’s “functional” rather than “standard.”
6. South Union Counter Stool – Item# SUN5X
   The first of these counter stools we made over thirty years ago, reproduced from a model South Union, Kentucky high stool. Nowadays, the only difference is a slightly wider seat and using graduated slats, a feature typical of northern community seats.
   (For selecting your American Country Comfort Custom Counter Stool, go to: stimberlake.com)

Go Chrome, black, white and crystal. Add a touch of lavender, retro blue, soft green or even pink. Keep it simple. Use a Jazz backless bar stool with metal legs and footrest in chrome, a leather or PVC seat in black or white.

For a retro Jazz look try the snazzy

1. Fifties Style Swivel Bar Stool

Classic chrome and jazz from bygone days. Choose retro vinyl padded seat in berry, emerald, flame, lagoon, ocean, oyster, sunburst, teal, spectra blue, ebony or greenbriar.

The following jazzy kitchen stools come from Bar Stools Gallery – 16 knights Drive, Glen Waverley, Victoria 3150, Australia, where they have a good selection of modern chrome and jazz-style bar stools, kitchen stools and all in adjustable heights that work well as kitchen breakfast stools. Designer stools without the designer price and they deliver to your door.

Here are some pieces they offer in the chrome kitchen counter stool and general Jazzy stool department:

2. Crystal Bar Stool
3. Saddle Bar Stool
4. Venus Bar Stool
5. Mars Gas Lift Bar Stool

Another great kitchen stool selection is found at Norsk Design. Their Jazz Collection has was originally designed by Steinar Hindenes and Dave Vikøren for the Kulturhuset USF Art Center in Bergen and then taken on by Fora Form. The Jazz Collection bar stool stands out due to its coned legs that provide extra strength while remaining light. It’s true to the Jazz idea of Simple!

6. Zuo Barstools 301212 Pinch Barstool Jazz Stripe
7. Zuo Modern Pinch Barstool ZM301212 – Jazz Stripe
8. Beacon Bar Stool – Contemporary swivel stool for counter height or bar height.
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The next recommendations are from Danetti who have a collection of modern furniture including bar stools and designer counter stools that would be talking pieces around your jazz counter or bar. They have a designer collection from the best of Italian and European furniture designers.

Here are some examples:

9. Geo Chrome Bar Stool

A sleek stool best suited for a stainless steel or metal bar or countertop. The Geo Chrome Bar Stool is adjustable and swivels. The seat comes in four different faux leather colors and is really easy to clean. This stool is simple, elegant and practical because it’s small.

10. Ciro Bar Stool

Jazzy cubical Comfort! Yes, this is a cube stool. A small square seat sits atop four chrome legs. The seats are your choice of black, white, red, dark brown or brown faux leather and all have super extra lots of stuffing so they’re comfy. Ciro’s chrome frame is strong. Try jumping on your stool…after a few drinks that is!

Go Crazy! From barnyard animals to tiger and zebra patterned counter stools, or neon bright to chrome to the max.

Here some FUNKY stool ideas:

1. The Opla Sgabello folding bar stool from Ozzio by Gaetano Poratelli and Studio Pizeta can be just what you need to take boring out of your kitchen! These modern designs will convert your kitchen into a place where anything can happen. They combine folding stool functionality with funky style. The seats are made from Vitrex available and come in your choice of 16 cool colors, or choose leather in 21 stunning hues. There are also wood and cowhide. The folding frames have gentle curves in embossed or satin painted finishes or chrome and nickel. Mix and match bar stools for a dash of eccentric.
2. Napoleon Height Adjustable Bar Stool
   This funky stool has a gas lift and comes in black, green, yellow and red with five legs under the brightly padded swivel, leatherette seat. It has a gas lift and swivel seat.
3. Pas Height adjustable Bar Stool
   Electric seat colors, totally adjustable and 5 legs to make it just a little different than your average stool.
4. Sam Gas Lift Bar Stool – kitchen Breakfast Stool
   The Sam counter stool is a commercial grade bar stool for kitchens with heavy use. Italian by design with unusual square padded leather seat and backrest. This is one very Cool Stool! The chrome steel base and stem are ultra strong yet take up very little space at the kitchen breakfast counter. It comes in black, ivory and brown.
5. Slim Bar Stool
   This is a winner in the crazy, funky, cool department!
   It’s handmade by an Italian designer from Plexiglas and the seat is shaped like a person.

6. Alfonso Kitchen Stool
   This stool is not just quirky in general style, but in specific: it has a translucent seat, made of acrylic, that comes in red, electric blue, lilac, smoke and florescent yellow! These stools have a way making a dark kitchen area appear lighter and brighter.
7. Cenzo Kitchen stool
   Fun, fun, fun! Again a translucent acrylic, 360 degree rotating, bar stool seat mounted on a chrome stem. Features a gas-lift for adjustable height and comes in the best colors: bright red, smoke and florescent yellow.

Latte or café o lait, please! With kitchen décor in the French provincial theme try to keep within these tones: nutmeg, cinnamon, light cherry, light oak and soft cream, beige, white or delicate floral patterns. Keep it classic when you choose French provincial style, with curved legged stools and straight backs.

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There are many unique and comfortable kitchen stools, pub stools and wooden stools at Ballard but they have a flare for French provincial styles. Kitchen counter stools, bar stools and folding chairs come in metal, leather and wood by Ballard. They have lots of stool cushions available online.

Bring the South Pacific to your kitchen with rattan bar and counter stools upholstered with clean white linen look or bright colonial patterns or rich brown leathers. When you choose a rattan theme for your kitchen counter stools you’re bringing natural tree vines from South East Asia into your life.

One of my favorite stool sets is the Serengeti Swivel Rattan Bar and Counter Stool in Sienna which is a counter height stool with arms and a swivel base and foot ring. The upholstered seat and back come in gold tones.

Another great option is rattan bar stools from the Long Island Collection. These and others are available online along with some blends of hardwood and rattan, Bridgeport rattan bar and counter stools with mahogany, wicker on Aluminum, wicker-look bar stool, leather seat rattan swivel bar stools, Moroccan bar stool, Aloha swivel rattan, swivel counter stool in dark cherry – Bayberry, Regency bar stool, counter bar stools in antique tea finish, Coco Cay Bar Stool, Naples Resin swivel bar stools, whitewashed bar stools, counter stool – South Beach, Beachwood backless barstools, Aloha round backless counter or Bar Stool and the High Profile Bamboo Director Chair.

Some other top recommendations:

1. Boca Rattan Moroccan Barstool
Comes with cushion and the frame is bound with leather. Price: $283.90
2. Boca Rattan Regency Barstool
Comes in mahogany finish and has arms and cushion, also with leather bound frame. Price: $291.90
3. St. Croix Rattan Bar Stool
Kitchen bar stool features with arms and comes with cushions in sand color upholstery. Price: $283.50

Matching fabric and custom stool cushions:

To choose from a huge selection of colorful fabrics, from tropical bamboo to garden rose go to: zfurniture.com/fabricswatches or call them at (866) 941-5042

Where to buy:

Z Furniture has been delivering rattan kitchen stools since 1993, especially to Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland, but they ship nationwide. They carry products from Ashley, Lifestyle Solutions, Modus, Global Furniture, Eagle Furniture, Innovation Living, Amisco, Huppe, Rossetto, ESF, Steinworld, EFY Furniture, Lite Source, At Home, Office Star, Modloft and Lind Furniture.

Z Furniture Showroom Locations (for Rattan Kitchen Stools):

1. 5620 General Washington Drive
Alexandria, VA 22312
Tel: 703-941-5042

2. 2130 P Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
Tel: 202-833-3717
They ship kitchen stools, counter stools, barstools and bar tables nationwide. Call them at: 941-5042

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One last place to get rattan stools is Rattan Furniture Export Company in Bali, Indonesia.
Their stools and furniture is made from water hyacinth, rattan, mahogany and teak. They have some very unique pieces for your kitchen and export overseas. Contact them directly by email at: sales@rattan-furniture-export.com or at: Jl. Uluwatu, Taman Penta I E/60, Jimbaran, 80364, Bali – Indonesia

Teak casual furniture can brighten and lighten a dark kitchen space or can be used in an outdoor setting. Teak furniture goes well with a splash of Thai, Indonesian or Malaysian fabric. Choose accent color schemes from rich-earthy to luminous-regal.

“Among timber, teak holds the place which the diamond maintains with precious stones and gold among metals.” -Lord Monteray, 1892

Give your indoor kitchen a touch of Thailand with a Barlow Tyrie – Equinox Backless Bar Stool that features a combination of steel, aluminum, and soft teak tones.

If you want a little Java in your kitchen stools get the real deal from Ascot Teak – a green international trading company from Java, Indonesia. They use only teak that is certified from Government controlled plantations. The secret to their beautiful kitchen bar stools and counter stools is due to the teak aging and proper Kiln-drying process. All their stools are water resistant and guaranteed not to rot or warp.

They also make custom make teak and rattan furniture if you have a design in mind or a special fabric to use in the upholstery.

The beauty of decorating with teak is that you can keep the natural honey colored look or leave it to fade to a silver grey color over time, or you can paint it any color to suite your décor. It’s very versatile and requires little care. Remember in Bangkok and all over South East Asia, the temples and palaces and stately manors of the wealthy were traditionally made of teak. Year after year, in the Asian monsoons and Typhoons, these buildings stand as beautiful as ever. Teak is really the diamond of woods.

Here are two of the best:

All teak stools are not equal

There are many grades of teak. Be careful of patchwork joinery. And please stay clear of teak that’s been logged illegally. One company from Costa Rica is Reforest Teak and their products are all part of an ecological reforestation program which includes a manufacturing facility which benefits the local community.

Teak Barstool Care

Some teak makers suggest retouching your teak occasionally with wax or oil, however Reforest Teak from Costa Rica don’t recommend using either. As teak ages naturally it changes color, which is part of its charm. It begins golden sand color and slowly turns silvery gray. The only reason you may want to use a little oil or wax is if your décor is based on the original golden hue. Otherwise, there’s no need to do anything other than wash with a mild cleaner diluted two to one.

This theme is almost the exact opposite of the New York Loft style. There is not much chrome or white in this more traditional theme. It focuses on the richness of heavy, dark wood, deep cherry tones and leather padded bar stool seats. Often the Boston Pub style is related to sports themes with a mishmash of posters on the walls or even a hint of what your favorite Irish pub has – lots of trinkets and maybe even a large frame with your favorite photos of friends and family.

For an updated version of the traditional Boston or Irish Pub look, try some kitchen stools from AMISCO, Canada. The KEANU Adjustable Bar Stool puts a contemporary twist on the Boston look. It´s sturdy too, so if you have children it may be the perfect kitchen stool addition. If you want a touch of the Boston style but can’t alter your entire kitchen counter and kitchen stools, give this a try.

The JB711 Corner Bar is a bar set made of dark wood and rich seat tones. You can order either of these stools or bar sets online at: contemporary-furniture-store.com. They carry Eurostyle, Amisco, Adesso; Calligaris, LumiSource, Michelangelo Designs, Rossetto USA, Viva Trade and ROM.

Some sport stool models are available at Sports Mem and can be ordered online at: sports-mem.com

Here are some examples:

NHL Boston Bruins Padded Bar Stool

Official National Hockey League Bar Stool with chrome plated double rung base and adjustable levelers. The vinyl seat is of commercial grade and comes with the officially Licensed NHL Team Logo.

NHL Boston Bruins Padded Bar Stool with Back

A newer National Hockey League Bar Stool with Backrest and Officially Licensed NHL Team Logo

Vermouth Swivel Counter Stool

Bycast upholstered leather seat and backrest and full swivel motion. ByCast leather is a hybrid of real and manufactured materials. Price: $449.99

Patrick Swivel Counter Height Stool by Armen Art*

Traditional style, round leather seat in rich brown upholstery, espresso colored wood legs, 360 degree swivel, solid wood frame and a five year warranty. Available in bar and counter heights Price: $269.99
*Armen Art Inc. is an importer of Italian home furnishings in three main styles: contemporary, transitional, and traditional.

Lisbon Contoured Back Counter Stool with Leopard Print by Armen Art*

Leopard print stools in 2-tone microfiber, brown and leopard print with solid wood legs and frame in an espresso color finish. This armless stool with high padded back and 360-degree swivel is great for lounging because it’s incredibly comfortable due to the generous amount of padding and the tall curved backs. The seat is covered with easy-to-clean microfiber. Price: $329.99

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