With my island almost done (the oil/varnish blend – because I was too impatient to wait for spraying weather – is drying on all the pieces right now), I’m now on the hunt for stools.
A few weeks ago, someone posted a picture of what might have been the perfect stools on Instagram or Twitter (I’d at least like to take a closer look), and I thought I’d taken a screen shot…but no. (They were maker made and available in walnut and, I think, maple. Was it you? If so, please send me that link!)
And since I can’t dig up that picture of possible perfection, I’ve been hunting on the Internet. As it turns out, everything I even remotely like is something I can’t make. I wonder if there’s something Freudian in that.
In order of preference above are the ones I’d consider buying, but unfortunately, only the one on the far right is available in the U.S. … and it’s my least favorite of the three. Figures.
So I think I’m going to start haunting the local antique malls in search of two perfect stools – and they needn’t match, as long as they look cool together.
In the meantime, I’ll buy a cheap and ugly wooden stool from Target. That ought to visually offend me enough to start shopping right away.
Dy faster, dammit.
Rude Mechanicals Press Blog 
You build? Consider the Moravian stool of PW Oct 2012 but add the backs it mentions. I built one with out a back and the low version. It came out nice and is super sturdy. Omit the carry hole and sculp the bottoms with an adz or Arborest (sp)
If I had your island, I would build stools like the one I made in a workshop with Jeff Miller. There is a photo of it in my blog post here: http://woodworkingfortheloveofit.blogspot.com/2014/07/weekend-workshop-with-jeff-miller.html
I would make the legs with maple, the stretchers and seats with walnut. (To match the island.) You could get as creative as you want with the shape of the seat portion.
These stools are remarkably sturdy and stable.
If you want, I could send you a copy of the plan we used, but it is fairly simple: parrallel legs on the ends, each end on an angle of approx. 10 degrees. You could build it to whatever height you desire.
The best part: you would be the builder of it all!
Jamie Hubbard’s entry from Chris Wong’s shop stool build off ?
consider one of the screw kits for veneer presses or workbench vise as a basis and build your own.
Megan,
The island looks great.
Jeremy is right. The stools you’re looking at look a lot like Jamie Hubbard’s Shop Stool Build Off stool. I’m sure you can make some of them if you like.
http://worcestershirecabinetmaker.blogspot.com/2014/01/shop-stool-build-off-part-3-day-two.html
Here’s to a better sale market in 2015,
Dyami
Yeah, but I really like the look of a metal base (to tie in w/the appliances). I want something more sleek and retro/contemporay, and with a minimal footprint.
The tiered stool in Dynami’s link compliments your design almost perfectly.
(BTW, nice title for the post.)