You could look at height adjustable stools, like these from all modern.com http://www.allmodern.com/Adjustable-Height-Stools-C1768241.html or these from Restoration Hardware - http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod690094&categoryId=cat280014 Here is a link that might be useful: Restoration Hardware adjustable stool

Sherilynn, that would be supremely helpful!! (not that I was ever going to get them, but it does make walking away easier). I am thinking of some pottery barn stools, either the Tibetan ones mentioned above (which look identical to the ones on Overstock and cheaper at Overstock, so I'd get them there) or the Megan stool. I think the point of a false sense of security with little kids and a stool with a back is a good one... also, a backless stool is going to be better for me so that I can tuck them under the counter as the spot for the stools is a little bit of a busy passageway. AND the backless stools aren't as wide which is also good for me. THANKS!! ps: I like the stool with the piping. I figured I could get an extra slipcover or two (still a lot less $$ than springing for the Moser stools) so that when the kids spill I can change it out. I have found that the straw seats aren't good for us... my 2 year old spills his milk while eating his cereal and so it isn't very easy to clean it out of straw (yuck!). probably wood would be the best for cleaning, but those megan stools look really comfy. Here is a link that might be useful: Megan stool from Pottery Barn

I'm sure you'll be able to find what you are looking for. We got our stools at California Bar Stools--I think they just serve our local area (Bay Area), but they have several on their website that I think are similar to what you are looking for. There was a lot of choice in terms of the stain and the upholstery, if you can afford to go custom. We were even able to take home a few options to see how they looked (it totally helped!). Our counters are 37" and we got 26" stools. My husband commented tonight that he thinks they are the perfect size. Here is a link that might be useful: California Bar Stools

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful comments! I love this place - like everyone says, it's been a huge help and inspiration throughout my project. Chris 11895, I do like those Windsor chairs - they are elegant and true to the time of the house, like liriodendron said. Very pretty. Brickton, you really clarified things for me. I guess I admire the urban farmhouse style, but if I'm honest about it, that's not what my kitchen is. So while I love the industrial stuff I keep seeing everywhere, it wouldn't fit my kitchen so well. I do LOVE those resto vintage chairs. But I'm learning that not all the things I love would work well in my kitchen, and I'm ok with that! Farmgirlinky - You're the owner of that kitchen I've been drooling over! I just looked it up and realized that was yours. LOVE. I have the same type of sink, mounted in the same way, with similar soapstone counters. And the same Savon de Marseille soap! I love that fridge and was trying to figure out how to sneak it into my budget but couldn't do it! Love the clear glass door. I like those tractor stools you mentioned - very very nice. I thought you were talking about the ones with real tractor seats before I went to the webpage. Unfortunately, that would pretty much eat up what's left of my budget! Sigh. Liriodendron, good point about sitting in the chair first. And now that I have talked to DH and read your post, I am leaning away from the Wynn chairs. Both of you said the same thing about it having a very PB look, which I see now. Funny how people see different details. Ellaf - The Thonet bar stool is really pretty - I think it would look great in black in my kitchen! It has a vintagey look to it, and it's curvy but not too foofy. The Vienna barstool from Crate and Barrel that beckysharp mentions is similar. Beckysharp, those Stanley ones are cool - kind of vintagey like the Restoration hardware one - but not quite so industrial. Geokid and Kaismom, good points about considering the stools without backs...now I'm putting that in my list. I hadn't considered how the backs would look above the counter; might be nice not to see any backs! I haven't attached the support brackets yet (the counter isn't up) but that's a very good point about considering how they will interact with the chairs. I don't want to keep harping about not banging into things - better to design it so that's not an issue. Well, that was long. Everyone has such good thoughts, I wanted to say thank you. I now have more to consider (maybe windsor, or maybe no backs) but also have ruled out some things (no PB, less chunky). Here are a couple photos of my kitchen in progress - one from the front, one from the back of the area where the bar will be (counter obviously not on yet!). Stove is going...it is leaking gas and new Bertazzoni will be in place soon!