Sources for great looking and comfortable barstools

Over the years, I spent quite a lot of time in finding the perfect counter and barstools that are not just good looking but just as comfortable. Since most of my active life in house is concentrated in kitchen, I wanted to get ever lasting and very comfortable stools.

Since I am not a normal human like most, I went to extremes to find the best stools for our decor. In the process, I gained enough knowledge about them to admit I am more knowledgeable about bar stools than I am with software programming (14 years working experience).

First, I had to decide between wood or metal. For kitchen it was an easy choice for us with 2 kids below 7 years. Wood was the choice as it will be easy for kids to move it around and also it doesn't damage the hardwood floors. Then, had to decided whether to get swivel chairs or fixed ones. With all our friends having kids, we decided to go with fixed so they get less abused by kids. Had to go with models that have back so, I can relax my back on a long day.

So, my research started on Google. Initially, search was frustrating as several websites that had barstool in their domain name showed up. Most of those sites were selling cheap looking designs.

Frontgate had very nice collection from traditional to contemporary and if you can wait for their 20% off coupon, you might be getting the best deal on great chairs. Also, Horchow, Layla Grayce for traditional, Eurway for low priced contemporary are good places.

Among manufacturers, Artistica Metal, and French Heritage make very comfortable traditional chairs. Furniture Land South in NC state is the best source to buy most brands if you don't find the one's you like at Frontgate.

Frontgate probably gets lot of them made exclusively for them. So, it's very hard to find them any cheaper. For my kitchen I was able to find a model sold by Frontgate on clearance at a local store.



For my basement bar, I have my eyes set on this model at Frontgate and will wait to see it in their outlet before I own them.

GreenFront - Hidden Gem of a store for oriental rugs and high-end furniture?

I spent quite a bit of time to find the perfect store in DC Metro area for quality oriental rugs and furniture. I wouldn't rate Greenfront highly for furniture as most of the brands they sell don't make to my taste but their prices might surprise North Carolina shoppers. I personally prefer my furnitre to look very elegant and unique. I might find a occasional surprises from brands like Mirador or Habersham. What impressed me the most about Greenfront is their amazing prices and collection of Indian and Pakistani made rugs. Before I found em, I restricted buying my rugs either from Pottery Barn or Bloomingdales famous tent rug sale they have in first week of July each year. Greenfront rug prices can beat the best prices you can get from a rug store in India. I highly recommend this store to all my friends for rugs, furniture and accessories.

It's worth taking a look at Bloomingdales TENT rug sale as the have better collection and the price will be close to Greenfront prices if you take their 10% off coupon to use with their 75% off sale and also open a new credit account to get additional 15% off. In a nutshell, Bloomies has to have a 75% off sale + 10% off coupon + 15% new credit card discount to get their prices to Greenfront price range for almost similar rugs.

For furniture, I still like to stick with Bloomies and buy when they have their famous Friends and Family sale. Domain Home, Sage, Savage Mills stores, and Roche Bobois are some of the excellent stores in DC Metro area. I also like to stick with well known brands for furniture as I want them to last long. Baker furniture, French Heritage, FreeMarc, Henredon who make Ralph Lauren and Barbara Barry collections, and Artistica Metal are some good brands I would like to stay with. For barstools, counter chairs, etc, Frontgate.com is your best bet when they have a sale and you also have their famous 20% off coupon to use.