4 legs good

Carol O’Callaghan looks at stools — those indispensable objects that fulfil any number of uses in the home.

Way back in 1933 a clever Finn by the name of Alvar Aalto designed a stool, a three-legged morsel of practicality with a pared-back aesthetic that matched its simple name of Stool 60.

In 2012 it’s every bit at home in our environment as it was nearly 80 years ago, and that is the essence of this poor relation of the furniture family: The stool has never been truly in or out of fashion but always there in the background when needed.

There can be few homes that don’t have a stack of three-legged items stacked quietly in a cupboard without fuss, ready to emerge to save a frazzled host when extra mouths show up at the dining table.

High versions that give us such a great vantage point when sitting at a bar, translate beautifully to the domestic environment. Their height and wide base suggest they’ll be too bulky for the average kitchen, but new designs offer us a huge choice of slim, elegant beauties to pose against your breakfast bar.

Choosing the right one means considering height relative to the breakfast bar or kitchen island; the materials, colour, and, most importantly, should it have a back and arms? Give thought also to whether or not it should match the kitchen table and chairs, or should contrast for interest and emphasis?

There are several bug bears to prowl around before making your choice. You’ll at least want the seat to slot underneath the kitchen bar or island, but if you want the whole stool out of sight when not in use, then a model with a back and arms should be avoided. But consider the vulnerability factor where lack of a back can make sitting at a height a less than completely relaxed experience.

Determine if you have sufficient space for the number you would like to accommodate, bearing in mind that you have to allow room for sitters to mount and dismount. Remember, too, that stools with backs and arms are by far the most comfortable to sit on, but backs and arms are bulky so unless you have plenty of space, opt for something streamlined and simple.

An attractive compromise is the stool with a moulded seat which extends upwards at the back. This neat design won’t overpower your space and lacking a bulky back, it will slot under the counter with ease. Also, as these models tend to have a hydraulic system they can be lowered using a lever to raise to the desired height. And should the sitter lose the run of himself and slide backwards during moments of jollity, this little upward curve of the seat will help to halt potential falls.

¦ Next week we’re warming our winter toes on rugs