Hello Home: Kitchen Counter Stools

Hello Home: Kitchen Counter Stools

My last post I chatted about starting the process of decorating our new home in LA and y’all seemed to love the idea of me sharing the process.  With that feedback, my newest series was born: Hello Home.  We were so inspired by the beautiful homes and interiors in 30A that we want to pull from those interiors as inspiration for our home.  I like to describe our style as “Coastal Americana.”  I love light, bright and airy spaces filled with beautiful neutral pieces.  I want our home to look bright and clean while feeling cozy and inviting.

Hello Home Decor angela lanter hello gorgeous

I figured why not kick off this series with the decision currently plaguing me: kitchen counter stools.  Seems like a not very big decision, I’m sure.  To us, it’s a big decision though.  I’m currently writing this blog post from my kitchen counter.  Our kitchen is the hot spot of our home.  We eat our meals at the bar, (obviously) work there and sometimes watch tv from there.  I want to choose quality counter stools that will endure the heavy use we put them through. But I also want them to be comfortable for long sit sessions while also looking beautiful.

If you remember this post, we had the Corrine Linen Counter Stools from Pier 1.  These natural colored stools are incredibly comfortable and were definitely a great purchase for our old house.  We brought them to the new house, and they look very out of place.  Our kitchen is primarily white with grey, so the dark legs and bronze hardware stick out like a sore thumb.  Not to mention, we only had two of these counter stools, and our new island calls for three.

I’ve been married to the idea of the Restoration Hardware Round Cane Back French Stools forever.  After spending tons of time scouring Pinterest and Houzz for inspiration, I’m now prepared to go another direction.  I wanted to share some of my favorite counter stools with you in case you too were in the market for some new furniture.

Before we hop into the current counter stool selection, I wanted to debunk a Restoration Hardware misconception.  Most people hear RH and think, “It’s sooo expensive.”  You are right in certain situations, like rugs.  However, my beloved round counter stools in the basic combo (Burnt Oak/ Sand Belgian Linen) are $243 each (Member pricing, which is a must do!).  If you look at the lookalikes I found online, they’re both higher priced at Wayfair and World Market.  Both of these retailers are found to be “cost effective” to most shoppers, yet their prices for RH inspired pieces tend to run even higher!  The quality of RH cannot be beat, I know that from experience.

Hello Home Decor angela lanter hello gorgeous

As you can see, I’ve been looking at multiple different styles of counter stools.  I like each of them for a different reason and each would look great.

Bistro:  I fell in love with bistro chairs when we visited Paris.  Every time I see a bistro chair, I smile and remember Paris.  I purchased bistro chairs for our outdoor dining area, but wasn’t sure if I wanted to also incorporate them indoors.

Wicker:  These chairs fit perfectly into the “Coastal Americana” feel.  Unfortunately, they don’t tend to be comfortable.  That can easily be remedied with cushions, but I’m not sure if I want cushions tied onto my counter stools.

Bench:  I first saw a bench counter stool in a home decor store on 30A and thought it was such an awesome piece.  The problem is that your bound to sit close to your bar mate whether you want to or not.

Round Back:  This style was where my design heart was all along.  I think round back upholstered chairs are so beautiful.  I do worry that they’re too formal of a design in a more casual, laid back space.

Farmhouse:  These chairs are a classic design and now even come with a padded seat.  I’m not sure if they’re too basic or if they’re just the right look.

I think I made a decision on which stools to buy!  Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite style or guess on which one I chose!

Shop These Kitchen Stools:

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27 Comments
  • Roundback and Farmhouse are my favorites
    Kate || KATE KOUTURES

  • Michelle Johnson

    I’m a huge fan of the roundback and farmhouse ones! I am like you Angela…I love airy, white, and cozy in my house. My boyfriend and I are slowly re-doing our house–hasn’t been updated since he was little (is parents old house) so I’m really excited to incorporate lots of white, neutrals, and coastal decor (we live by the water). I’m going to say you went with the roundback. Ha! Can’t wait to see!

    • Angela Lanter

      It’s just the most beautiful color scheme in my opinion! 🙂

  • Stacie Korcok

    Hi Angela! Your choices and descriptions are spot on. Thank you for taking the time to explain to your readers the importance of quality,and selecting the right style which will compliment your space the best. I work with clients daily explaining how a furniture piece you love may not be the right fit for a new space, with an entirely different vibe. I am a leader (manager) for the RH outlet in So Cal in the city of Ontario. At the Restoration Hardware Outlet you not only can find a huge savings on the RH pieces you love but we run additional promotions on top of the already great outlet price. I invite you to come visit!

  • Roundback is definitely my favorite! If I saw the farmhouse ones in the right setting, I’d probably love them too. I’ve never decorated anything. It’s never been in our budget (we just use whatever is free or cheap and a lot has been given to us), and it’s not something I have an eye for AT ALL! But my dream is to have a farmhouse-style home some day and be able to decorate in that style. Can’t wait to see pics of all your decorating choices! I’m excited for this series!

  • I have to say I love the ones you have but if you’re set on change then I personally love the bench but also the round back chairs. Don’t get me wrong I like all the ones you’ve chosen but those seem most comfortable to me in my opinion. It’s just to bad there wasn’t room for two benches that would be perfect. 🙂

    • Angela Lanter

      We definitely need a change… The ones we have are beige and our kitchen is white an grey, so they don’t match at all. 🙁

  • I really like the farmhouse chairs because no matter how you decorate the rest of your kitchen they will go with any decor!
    (Since I like to change up my decor, it’s nice to have those floating items that will never look out of place!)

  • Kandace C.

    Love the round back chairs.they look very classic yet comfortable. They are also not cookie cutter giving a bit of an elegance look to the room. Put those chairs in the space and your eyes will be drawn to them. Wish I had a bar in my home I would love to have these.

  • In think the farm house ones are my favorite! I haven’t seen the bench before, I like the idea of it but I think you’re right that it might be weird to sit so closely. I’d want the option to take up more space!

  • Matthew Muehlberger

    I love the Roundback, they look comfortable and very nice, but if you think it’s too fancy looking for your theme…I would go with a farmhouse cushioned.

  • Matthew M

    I love the Roundback, they look comfortable and very nice, but if you think it’s too fancy looking for your theme…I would go with a farmhouse cushioned.

  • Amber Zwart

    Like the light bistro! The wicker too, I have the ones without arm chairs as normal chairs and indeed they’re not as comfy after a longer period. Perhaps the wicker with arm chairs are better because they are more rounded. Otherwise I would go for the bistro. I like natural looks and light colours So I would go with the lighter one.

    • Angela Lanter

      Wicker is so cute, but you’re right… Not super comfy!

  • Brittany Blackburn

    My favorite is the Farmhouse without the rounded bottom. Is that the one you went with? ?

  • Merriam Hiett

    Farmhouse. For me it is such a classic chair. It’s a chair that can go anywhere.

  • Hello, Angela! I love the stool choices. My personal favourites are the Roundback and the Farmhouse.
    My guess is that you probably chose the Farmhouse stool?? Am I right? Good luck with all your designing, and deciding.

    • Angela Lanter

      EEEK!! I’ll post photos when they finally arrive!

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