I’ll save you a lot of time: the thing I thought I didn’t want turned out to be the best thing for the space.
What I realized is that the Warming Hut is neither upscale nor over-elaborate; its appeal (aside from location) stems from simplicity and functionality. In the end, I liked the way that the bar stools integrated with the bar, and there was just no good reason to make them anything other than simply utilitarian. Which turned out to be matte aluminum.
Not that I didn’t try. Many things, colors, textures, trims. Thank you all for your suggestions!
For comfort I added a low cushion covered in soft black leather to the seats.
And then, apparently because I had not endured enough challenge and tedium gluing the feet on, I added black furniture glides, to protect the floors and make moving the chairs quieter. That’s 48 more (two per leg) wee punched dots wrangled into place, and touched up with a black Sharpie where the aluminum paint and/or glue extended over the edges.
I turn next to filling the shelves with maps, charts, books, art and maybe even some driftwood sculpture. And maybe I’ll even finish painting the final window, and get that installed.
nancyland.com 
You know what? Perfect.
Glad you think so!
Perfect indeed. Now I cannot imagine them finished any other way.
Oh, I can :) Thanks, Barabara.
Well thought out and well done.
Thank you, Joyce!
They look great and coordinate perfect with the table top.
Thanks, Bennie. I had some 1mm black leather cord I *really* tried to incorporate, but it just kept detracting rather than adding anything. Back in the leather bin it goes :)
The matte aluminum is perfect. I’m a big fan of simplicity!
Thank you, Cyd. There’s going to be a lot of busy on the shelves, and that should be what draws interest, right?
Absolutely perfect. I think the furniture shape should be visually interesting but the personal items on the shelf are what tell the story of the inhabitants/visitors. Love it =0)
Great minds think alike, Pepper :)
I appreciate the encouragement!
Love the details that you add to make it so perfect. I also appreciate how nicely you light your pieces :)
Thanks, Jean! As for lighting, if only I could harness the sun :)
Electrification is still an unknown realm to me, and one I aspire to know. Maybe my next build should be a modern lighting showroom?
Those glides were most certainly tedious but they add that touch of realism that the brain notices — … said as I look closely at my galvanized porch stools, realizing for the first time that yes indeed, they do have black glides on the bottom!
Hehehe, Christina. We wouldn’t want to be scuffing up our floors and making screeching noises as we drag our chairs to catch the last of the light now, would we?