Replies

1. 
   calvin | Sep 10, 2013 05:54pm | #1

   Mike

   Split the difference.

   Bar stools w/o backs are meant to be used leaning against the drink rail (often an inch to inch and a half above the bartop surface), -you won't be getting a drink rail I suppose........................so, think on that fact.

   And, bar stools with backs, are meant to be cozied up a bit closer (so the overhang is larger) and a foot rest on the stool or bar front, carries your feet as you lean back ...........or sit up straight to eat/drink.

   If you squeeze the distance between the two tops a bit-but not all the way to the 42" height (split the diff.), I don't think you'll be too uncomfortable.  If you have the stools, mock up a top and feel it out.

   Of course, the original thought way back when would have been to hog out the bottom of the starter cabs and start out a bit shorter so you didn't get that inch and a half too high at the end.

   So my recommendation after trying out a couple different raised heights would be to cheat the bar top up 3/4"..................

   You might have to lay your outlets (if any in that raised wall where the bar meets the counter) on their side to get the plates to fit proper.

   Here's a caution.  If those that frequent bars alot..............come over.........you might find them banging the bottom of the bottle or glass into the countertop edge out of habit.   That Golden Mean of bar top height has gone back ages.

1. 
   mwgaines | Sep 10, 2013 06:17pm | #2

   Good to hear from you, Calvin. I can always count on some helpful insight from you. My peninsula is comprised of two standard sized base cabinets sitting back to back against two 39" wall cabinets. Specifically, the base cabs are one 37"W corner carousel unit paired with a 30"W base. That makes up the lower level. The upper level is two 30'W x 39"H x 12"D wall cabinets. All of the cabinets have adjustable legs and are raised to the height I need before securing them. Anyway, I won't be able to add a foot rail because I have doors under the bar. I have a feeling I may regret that now that you mention it. To tell you the truth, a foot rail never crossed my mind. Don't you just love DIY'er's?

   I guess splitting the difference would be a good compromise. But I'm wondering how dramatic the difference would actually be if I just go ahead and maintain the 6" difference in heights between the counter and bar. I'm really concerned that the narrow backsplash will ruin things aesthetically. I'm thinking that the slightly higher bar could be accomodated by adding some cushions to the stools?

1. 
   calvin | Sep 10, 2013 07:01pm | #3

   MW

   Hey, we go back......................You've been here quite some time.  One day you will be done with the Taj Gaines and we'll just have to drop in and have a drink at that bar ..............

   Most of the high stools accomodate a foot rail  around the legs about a foot off the floor.  If you raise the seat too much, then that rail might be uncomfortable............can't say from here.  Do you have the stools yet?

   And I see the conundrum-the bottoms of those cabs need to be even-hence-no dropping the cab.............

   But then I did the math and they're already below the bottom of those base cabs, no?

   At any rate-our "bar" end to the island is 42-1/2" off the floor.  Comfortable it is.

   I placed a book under my elbow-top of it at 44"............uncomfortable.

   I still think splitting the diff is the way to go.  Our stool is 30" high to the top of the seat.  Mock up a stool if you don't have yours yet.  See what you like.

1. 
   mwgaines | Sep 10, 2013 07:15pm | #4

   Don't have any bar stools yet, cause I never had a bar before. I can definitely do the compromise. I'll give it some more thought.

   As for you guys stopping by for a drink, it would be my pleasure to buy this house a round.

1. 
   calvin | Sep 10, 2013 07:59pm | #6

   Cool

   And where would I be if I was on the road and felt like dropping in?

   You never know, I'm striving for retirement and might just tour the country.

   Striving?  right-I just need to not answer the phone.

   But, you can't look a gift horse in the mouth..................

2. 
   mwgaines | Sep 10, 2013 08:46pm | #7

   I'm in the Carolina's, Calvin. It ain't much, but heaven won't have us and hell's afraid we'll take over.

3. 
   calvin | Sep 11, 2013 06:09am | #10

   Mike

   Well, there's two of those carolina's and we've got some close friends outside Asheville-we get down there and I'll give a yell.

2. 
   IdahoDon | Sep 10, 2013 07:38pm | #5

   Definitely mock it up - nobody is a standard size or shape, and no two bar stools feel the same.

1. 
   mwgaines | Sep 10, 2013 08:47pm | #8

   Good points!

3. 
   DanH | Sep 10, 2013 11:11pm | #9

   Seat the skinny people at the low end.

   Saw off the legs of the stools at the low end.