Perching pretty - The bar stool edit
Undoubtedly because of the frenetic and flexible way in which we conduct our lives in our open-plan kitchen/living rooms alongside the mainstream inclusion of kitchen islands has led to the integrated role of bar stools. Bar or kitchen stools are today viewed as a respectable alternative to a dining chair both in the home and in restaurants, and along the way from periphery to pedestal status (excuse the pun), stools became worthy of a considered design.
‘We’ judge a bar stool by it delivering on a multitude of factors and expect our customer not to settle for anything less than a design-led, ergonomically sound and well-made stool that they can comfortably sit on for a good while. We would go as far as to say, you should critic a bar stool with the same check list you would apply to your dining chair, viewing it as a higher version! Here are a few points for your tick list:
Back support If you want to be able to really relax, you need either a full back or a short back support will suffice. Armrests or elbow rests (as we call them) on stools are completely underrated – we challenge you not to want to abandon your dining chairs.
Don't get bummed out If the seat doesn’t have cushioning, it must have contouring so that your derrier is comfortably supported. Don’t chuck on any old seat pad unless it is fitted or tied on for obvious reasons of feeling slippery.
A footrest or a bar on the island Whether you are tall or short, the feeling of dangling feet or propping yourself up on the floor isn’t great.
Correct dimensions Measure from the floor to the underside of your island so you know how much space you would like from the top of the seat to this upper height to comfortably accommodate your thighs. Standard counter height is 36″, which means you will need a bar stool that is approx. 23″-28″ in height. You might also like to review the space between each stool so your guests aren’t crammed as well as ensuring the stool arms won’t bump into the side of the counter.
Ensure a hefty feel and well-made stool Stools are by nature higher and thinner than dining chairs, so ensure your stool has a certain weight to it so that you can relax into it rather than precariously perch. It’s a bar stool after all so you don’t want to drink and topple off because of a cheaply made stool.
Items can be purchased at CA Design, 23 Dunville avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 or call 01 5143540 for postage. Click here for the above Churner style stool.
Choose stools with back support, sculpted, soft seats and a foot rest. Don't compromise on style, erring towards beautifully-made stools.
Click here for more of CA Design's stools http://www.cadesign.ie/furniture/stools/
Our unfussy, super stylish Erik Buck style bar stools are made with premium Italian leather seats and with oak, ash or walnut legs.
Bertoia style diamonds stools have a graphic-cool look whilst being incredibly comfortable too.