We've been spotting these more often in home design magazines—banquettes instead of individual bar stools saddled up next to the kitchen island. Pros: Cozy, cool-looking, can probably seat more people. Cons: Kind of bulky. And maybe you don't want to be bumping thighs with the person next to you.
It takes a fairly big kitchen to pull off this look. And to be honest, we're thinking the most useful ones would be custom-made, so they'd fit perfectly with the size of the island.
Plus, wouldn't they be heavy to pull out in order to slide in? Much more work than simply alighting on a stool to watch a friend prep dinner.
• See the kitchen above: Alabama Lake House, in House Beautiful.
Here's one counter-height bench we love, though. It looks manageable, size-wise. And the tufting!
• Julie Bar Bench, from Four Hands (We found this in House Beautiful as well; the magazine lists the price as $775 but there's no e-commerce. We assume you have to find a retailer.)
Have you seen benches at islands in anyone's kitchen? What do you think of this look?
Related: Look! Kitchen Island Made from Shopping Carts
(Images: Christopher Baker; Four Hands)
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Talk about impractical--is each person sitting on the bench supposed to get up when another person wants to sit down so the bench can be pulled out to let the newcomer in? Or is everyone supposed to gather at the island at an appointed time and sit down simultaneously? What if someone wants to get up to help or something? Oh, I get it--those people just sit on the end and slide in and out.
Does anybody actually set up an island like this for any purpose other than a pretty picture?
Totally agree. Those benches overpower what is otherwise a lovely kitchen.