Archive for December, 2007

Bar Stools for Your Business: The Karim Rashid Kant Stool

Posted by Janna on December 31st, 2007

thumb_karim_rashid_kant_stool_3ug.jpgBar stools don’t always have to be sleek, dark, and sophisticated. In certain places, it’s okay for bar stools to be fun, whimsical, and even cute. That’s why I like the Karim Rashid Kant Stool. It’s so darling. I can just imagine it in a boutique, nail parlor, or kids’ cafeteria. Put it in an outdoor play area, pair it with some playful outdoor bistro tables, and you’re all set. I also think that if you added a big pair of googly eyes to the front of the seat, the stool would look like something from a Pixar film. But that’s just me.

The Karim Rashid Kant Stool has a seat made from polypropylene, and a structure made from reinforced polypropylene. It’s available in a wide range of seat colors, including black, blue, light blue, magenta, military green, orange, pink, sand, and white. The structure is available in a similar range of shades.

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Mosaic Bar Stools: The Pompei Bar & Counter Stools

Posted by Janna on December 29th, 2007

furniture-sale_1982_482977371.gifWhen I think of art, I often think of mosaics. This is because I love the way little bits of color can be put together to make beautiful designs. And mosaic can be made from ceramic tile, slate, or other great materials. Mosaics coupled with fanciful wrought iron designs are especially pretty. I’ve seen plenty of gorgeous mosaic and wrought iron tables that would improve the looks of any establishment.

Well, mosaic isn’t just for tables anymore. In fact, mosaic bar stools are becoming a popular choice because of their beauty and originality. They can go anywhere, from a cozy home to a fashionable bistro. With so many outstanding mosaic bar stools out there, it was hard to find one that stood out from the rest. But find one, I did.

The Pompei Bar Stool by Hillsdale features a unique slate mosaic back. These fabulous mosaic bar stools or counter stools have a black gold finish with comfortable beige fabric seats. The unique look of these mosaic back barstools will surely enhance any decor. And assembly is a breeze; since the base comes fully assembled, all you have to do is attach the top.

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Custom Bar Stools for Your Cafe: The 3D 01STEP-HA

Posted by Janna on December 23rd, 2007

2396.jpgIt’s not very often that I find action shots of furniture, but as a hardened furniture blogger, nothing shocks me any more. The intense spring-action suggested in this photo did pleasantly surprise me, though. I mean, how fun does that look? Perhaps I’m easily amused, and perhaps I’m the kind of guest that likes to test the bounciness of furniture, and thus elicits nervous grins and watchful looks from managers everywhere. But by golly, life is short, and there’s nothing wrong with enjoying entertaining furniture (as long as you pay for what you break, of course).

Luckily, breakage shouldn’t be much of a concern with the 3D 01STEP-HA. (Even the name sounds like fun.) This commercial grade bar stool has the strength to handle whatever comes its way. And with a gas lift height adjustment mechanism, it is the answer to all the bar stool dreams of every short person in the world.

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Rattan Stool Seats: Self Repair

Posted by Janna on December 21st, 2007

901274_woven.jpgHave some rattan chair seats that need repairing? The Do It Yourself Network has a great article explaining how to do the repair work yourself, and have your chair or bar seat looking great in no time!

What you’ll need:

  • White vinegar
  • Hammer
  • Chisel
  • Flat-head screwdriver
  • Rubber mallet
  • Utility knife
  • Woven cane sheet
  • Seat spline material
  • Putty knife
  • Wood glue

Dab white vinegar onto the spline (the wedge-shaped piece of wood holding the cane mesh in place) to loosen any adhesives. Allow the vinegar to soak in for 10 to 20 minutes. Then use a chisel to pry out the spline. Work from the inside edge of the spline to avoid damaging the finish of the wood. You may need to use a screwdriver to pry the spline from some areas on the chair.

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Plastic Bar Stools: Antonio Citterio’s “Spoon”

Posted by Janna on December 19th, 2007

There are bar stools, and then are bar stools. They serve much the same function the world over: providing a place for patrons to sit, even when they’ve overindulged in the spirits. And bar stools come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. I’ve seen some that look like weird surgical implements, and others that look like English saddles. Here’s a funky collection based on spoons:

antonio_citterio_spoon_stool_lqu.jpg

The Antonio Citterio Spoon Stool is very unique. The web site where I found it speaks of the courage and technical expertise it took to come up with this design and bring it to fruition. I would like to speak of the courage and technical expertise it would take to sit in the thing after a couple of pints. Having never experienced small, oddly-shaped bar stools during stints of sub-sobriety, I’m curious to know how comfortable and stable they really are. If you have first-hand knowledge, please let me know!

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Modern Pub Seating: The Salvador Dali Leda Chair

Posted by Janna on December 17th, 2007

salvador_dali_leda_chair_blu.jpgIt’s that time again: bizarre furniture time! I sometimes stumble across pieces that give me pause, or sometimes give me shudders. Some give me a good laugh as I point them out to friends and family. And some, like the Salvador Dali Leda Chair, just make me squint a little bit and wonder, “Why?”

Now, I will be the first to admit that I never really understood Dali. When I was smaller, I thought the melting clocks were cool. Sadly, that was about the extent of the emotions his work evoked in me.

I’ll probably need a therapist to work through the tangle of emotions the Leda Chair brings me, but then again, it’s just a chair. But with legs. And high heels. And arms. And maybe part of a hand gripping the arm rest. I don’t know… it just reminds me of something you’d use to torture misbehaving children. “Do your homework, or it’s the ARM chair for you!” “NO, not the ARM chair! I’ll do my work!!” (On second thought, maybe I should order a Leda…)

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Swivel Bar Stools for Your Bar: The Cleo Collection

Posted by Janna on December 15th, 2007

hd-4592-827-831-s.jpgI’m a sucker for a good bar stool. We’ve got two lovely swivel stools at our kitchen counter, both with solid brushed steel frames, padded chenille seats, and foot rests. My only issue with our bar stools is that it can be difficult to hoist yourself into them when you’re only 5 foot 3 – but that is an issue I have with bar stools in general, not with my bar stools in particular.

That said, my bar stools had better be on their best behavior, because I have found their future replacement: the Cleo Swivel Bar & Counter Stools. They’re beautiful, they come in a variety of colors, and – most importantly – they also come in a shorter variety so that those of us without natural height can still perch on them rather easily and pretend to be long and elegant, even if we’re not.

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Wooden Bar Stools: The Regal Italian

Posted by Janna on December 14th, 2007

product_thumbphp.jpgWhen I hear the words ‘regal’ and ‘Italian’, I tend to think back to medieval days (no, I wasn’t alive then, thank you) and ponder the great feasts that kings and queens would throw for their court and (if they were lucky) their loyal subjects. Medieval courts were dangerous places, full of archers and assassins just waiting for an opportune moment.

Luckily, with some of today’s beautiful Italian wood bar stools, we can have all of the regality with none of the paranoia. Since some of my favorite restaurants have traditional Italian decor, you can trust me when I say that the furnishings need to fit the theme of the place. It’s no good to have frescoes and grape vines if your tables and chairs are unremarkable. You don’t have to have all carved wood and stone; even contemporary cafe tables will look great if they’re done right. We’re talking a total immersive experience, people!

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Pub Tables & Stools for Your Restaurant

Posted by Janna on December 11th, 2007

twt-12043m1bbevel.jpgJust as life imitates art (or was that the other way around?), breakfast cafes and small bistros are starting to imitate pubs. No, that doesn’t mean that patrons are stumbling around tipsy (usually); but pub tables are becoming a popular choice for folks who want a whole lot of style without sacrificing their floor space.

Also called trestle tables, bistro tables, or counter-height dining tables, these pub tables are wonderful for small families wanting a more intimate dining experience. Some of the tables are adjustable by adding or removing a leaf. This option is catching on, making pub tables the most sought-after new cafe tables around.

Pub tables are available in many different styles. They are recommended for casual diners, and those who want to have a place to sit down and snack while they engage in social activities, like pool. I especially like this romantic little set (pictured above). It’s all flowing lines and mixed materials, like wicker, synthetic plastic, beveled glass, and steel. I think it would be beautiful on an outdoor patio at a bistro. How pretty would it look with a candle and some wine glasses sitting on top of it?

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