Here are the unpainted stools, having a drink at the bar. Seeing them a light color lets me know I want them darker. But not black or aluminum. And because I want to spray them, I am somewhat limited in my color choices. Current thinking is a basilly sage green, and repainting the woodstove to match. Because different greens can clash horribly. But would that be too matchy-matchy, the stove and the stools?
I see several cans of spray paint in my near future.
You know what the hardest part of making this whole set of stools was? Gluing the 1/8-inch round feet on the bottom of the legs. They each needed a good size dot of glue — but not too much — and then they would repeatedly stick to the applicator, the knife blade, the tweezers and/or my fingernail, in succession. At least two out of four instances for each of the six stools.
nancyland.com 
But what did the unpainted stools drink at the bar?
The bar stools look amazing. I’m guessing their delicate appearance belies their ability to withstand spray paint. Green sounds lovely.
Haha, Barbara. I’ve tried to think of some clever response, but come up with… I don’t know.
Just like what color they should be.
They are somewhat delicate, weight-wise, and depending how I arrange them in the spray booth, the gust of paint often rearranges them. But that’s what swearing and perseverance is for, right?
Love them. How about not spraying the brown leather rim – guess that is not possible any longer.. How about making them in the lightest grey matching the table top?
Thank you, Marion. I was rather fond of the natural leather, too… they looked like they had little Chanel suits on. Very stylish. But the intent was to simulate a rolled metal edge, so monochrome is best.
I’ve just begun my color trials, and the first one I chose (totally based on what I have on hand) is matte aluminum, which corresponds to the lightest grey in the tabletop. Stay tuned for the results!
The stools look fantastic, well worth the effort.
How about a dark bronze? A deep browny, rustyish bronze, not a sissy yellowy, goldish bronze. It would pick up the orange from the poppies without repeating it. With a dry brush of an olive bronze over the top to give it depth.
I groaned and then laughed with you about the stool’s feet. After gluing watch parts to small beads last week I know exactly what you mean!
Thanks, Keli! Kris does all the hard work of making superior results possible. I want her to make a tutorial for my life :)
I embrace your bronze suggestion, mostly because of the precise + poetic way you describe it, as only a color-sensitive can.
And I’m glad I’m not the only one with slapstick comedy glue issues.
Ha, I feel your pain. Glue loves to stick to everything bar the thing you want it to. The stools look great – quite industrial actually. Colour choice is always a sticking point with me. You’re right, you can get it horribly wrong if you don’t get sympathetic shades. Good luck =0)
Oh glue, why you treat me like you do?
Kris’s interpretation of this vintage/modern stool is so authentic. The color choice will definitely land them — hopefully — where I want them to be: functional, utilitarian and stylish.
We shall see!
I’m a neutrals gal, so while i think the green is a nice choice, and would compliment the floors, I’m always for white or grey. Then you can go bold with your upholstered chairs. I guess it depends where you want the visual focus of the room to end up. But the chairs look a-maz-ing!
I’m with you, Kat, on neutrals and low-contrast. The visual focus of this room is the (imaginary) sweeping views of the ocean and sky from the (imaginary) back windows, so I really want the interior to promote simple comfort and utility, a refuge from the blowing wind and fog.
Once again, we have Kris Compas to thank for a brilliant design tutorial. Thanks, Kris!
Totally awesome!
Thanks, Joyce!
How about a greyish green for the stove and a darker metallic grey for the stools?
Get out of my head! :)
When people ask about the little dots glued all over your hands, tell them it’s just the newest thing in nail art. :D I like the idea of the bronze.
Oh, if only it was just the little dots… only on my hands…
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I’d hate to see the chairs lose that cool leather trim if you spray paint them. Can you maybe marbelize the seats of the stools for some color so that you don’t paint over the leather trim? I’ll have to go back and look at an old post of the stove. I guess I tend to think of all stoves as black.
The leather is so pretty, isn’t it? But it was *meant* to simulate the chair’s rolled metal edge, so I’m treating it as one surface. I’m also experimenting with a low cushion for the seat base, covered in leather.
The stove is currently painted the same green as the rafters, with a black interior. Also potentially subject to change :)