Designer stools: dream vs. reality

We have an area in our new kitchen that is crying out for stools. But, we don't want just any stools. Both Eric and I love clean-lined, modern looking furniture. And if we had our way, we would be getting a couple of these stools from Design Within Reach (DWR):



That's the LEM Piston Stool with the chocolate-brown leather seat. It's an award winning design by Shin and Tomoko Azumi and if it's possible to have a love affair with a stool, this would be my mistress. I love how the one-piece frame of the seat is also the foot rest. I love the base and the overall simple look, and the functionality of the height adjustment -- since it sucks to have to buy new stools should you move and have a new table or counter height to contend with.

But alas, at just shy of $700US and the cost of shipping, there are definitely other things that take priority over pretty 'dream' stools.

We found our 'reality' stools at Structube (located in the Byward Market for you locals). The Alice stool also has a chocolate brown leather seat, height adjustment and a foot rest, and overall a simple appearance -- and a much lower price tag at $119CAD.



I know they're not the same, but it'll certainly do for 'real-life' so that we can sit in our kitchen and still afford to stock the fridge.