I'll take eight of them, please.

Aaron has had it with our kitchen chairs. I just about have, too.
Yes, they are darling and eclectic.
But there are two major problems:
1) they are kitchen chairs so they get NASTY gross. So I clean them. And even though I put 2 coats of sealer on them, the paint is peeling, and really difficult to keep clean.
2) they tip over. I was unaware of how "tipsy" ladder back chairs are, when I purchased them. It's awful. My kids have figured out that they can't climb all over them unless they want to face plant on the kitchen floor, but it still happens occasionally, and it drives us insane.

Fortunately, I didn't pay much for them, because they were all in terrible shape when I collected them from flea markets, garage sales, and antique stores. All but two had rushed seats that were busted through, leaving the chairs useless until I got my hot little hands on them. So I won't be terribly sad to see them go when we replace them.

I'm ready to invest a little more in the new chairs, but they have to be perfect.

Aaron and I both love the contrast of french industrial metal chairs around a rustic table.
A rustic harvest table we have...so the search for some circa 1940's steel or aluminum chairs begins.

Inspiration#1: Sold, or I'd sell a kidney tomorrow for these.

#2: These are cute, I like the swivel, but the pressed wood isn't my fave. They're different, but a little too school-housey for what we're going for.

#3: Speaking of school house...I adore these yellow lockers. LOVE them.

I like the chairs, but I seem to have a love/hate relationship with Tolix chairs. For me, there is a teeny tiny window of artistic freedom allowed with this style that determines whether I love them or despise them. How skinny is the metal that forms the big arch in the back? Too fat or too skinny turns an awesome chair into a piece of crap, if you ask me. Same goes for the slope of the back. If it is too reclined, forgetaboutit. I like them if the legs are attached with horizontal steel (not shown in this image), but not so much if that detail isn't there.

I love tolix chairs, but the only way I could handle them is if a) I had the opportunity to see them in person, sit in them, and bring them home to test out with my table, or b) if they were free. The tolix design is quickly becoming a bit of a mid-century furniture cliche, and even though they can be fabulous, even the crustiest of chairs are often overpricesd.

A tolix stool I could totally get behind. I think we need chairs with backs at the dining table, though. Maybe I'll stumble across a set to go under my kitchen counter.

#4) Well aren't these interesting.

like: adjustable height, simplicity, legs, nice mix of wood and metal

dislike: the simplicity leads me to question their stability, and how comfortable a fat person would feel sitting in my kitchen.

Since stability is the main reason for replacing the chairs in the first place, I can't really justify this one.

Aaron has wanted a set of Navy chairs ever since we saw them around our friend's (hollah, Hayley!) table. I like that idea too, but prefer a darker petina rather than a brushed nickel finish, which is all we have been able to find so far. And again...how fabulous is option #1?

I need them. My table needs them. Alas, they are sold.

The search is on!