HOME TOUR
Over the years I’ve collected some favorite home furnishings that I’ve used in my own home and design projects and the Serena & Lily Balboa Counter Stool is definitely one of them. There’s something about the woven look and warm tone of the rattan that just works. It looks so good in so many different styles of kitchen.
We’ve got grey cabinets, a warm greige color (SW Repose Grey) but still cooler than other neutral paint choices for cabinets these days. Which means to create balance and interest, a warm, woven counter stool is a must. I love the squared back of the Serena & Lily Balboa Counter Stool for a more streamlined feel. It is comfortable to sit on with the back coming up high enough that you can lean back easily.
THE SERENA & LILY BALBOA COUNTER STOOL
A great looking counter stool is wonderful but how does it function? Especially because this is a substantial piece of quality furniture and a financial investment. With little kiddos, having a chair they can get on and off easily was a must. For us that meant I was specifically looking for counter stools that didn’t have arms. The Serena & Lily Balboa Counter Stool is heavy enough that it doesn’t tip over but light enough that I still pull it around the kitchen to water plants and access high up items. The rattan is tightly woven over the legs and seat and has a pretty woven lattice-look on the back.
The brass end caps on the legs and leg rest elevate the design detail of the Serena & Lily Balboa Counter Stool while functionally making the most kicked / pushed areas more resilient. Beauty and function come together in this pretty chair.
madison rae photography
THE SEAT CUSHION
Can I just say that I was skeptical? This is not your ’90’s tie on seat cushion on the Serena & Lily Balboa Counter Stool. So how the heck does it stay on with all the kiddo climbing up and down? I’m fully convinced it’s magic. These poly-fill cushions have fully removable covers that come in different styles and colors. The back is lined with a grippy piece of material (see my picture above) that holds them on so well to the seat that it seriously must be magic.
“YOU CHOSE WHITE WITH KIDS!”
I got the Perennials Performance in natural which was an in stock color with the fastest ship time. And every single person has commented, “White…with kids?” To which I resoundingly say, “heck yes.” Yes they get filthy. My dirty-tushied children come in from the mud kitchen (which you’ve just got to check out because it features another one of my absolute favorite S&L chairs) and then spill their ketchup and it’s a stain nightmare. But then you unzip them, throw them in the wash with this fabric cleaner and they come out clean and lovely and it’s literally nothing short of magic. There are made-to-order cushions for the Serena & Lily Balboa Counter Stool that come in 10 different styles and they’re all beautiful. But if you don’t want to wait the 8-10 weeks, order the in stock option and then order a cushion cover at any time when you’re wanting a change.
I made the mistake with our first set of counter stools (not Serena and Lily) of buying expensive, white and fully upholstered counter stools. Meaning there was nothing I could unzip and just throw in the wash. They were straight ruined in 3 months, performance fabric and all, and are sitting in the attic right now. The key to success with a counter stool in your kitchen and kids is removable cushions. I tell ALL my clients this. And frankly adults spill too. It makes so much sense to have a removable cushion cover you can throw in the wash.
A BEFORE AND AFTER CUSHION TEST
Here’s a before and after to illustrate the point. The picture on the left is about a week in the life of a white cushion and kids–ketchup and a fine layer of dirt. The “after” is right after I pulled it from the washer, no photoshop and minimal photo brightening but taken at a different time of day. I wash them, lay them flat to dry and then put them on.
QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP
The kitchen island is one of the most trafficked areas in my home. And this is one of those furniture purchase that gets used all the time. These Serena & Lily Balboa Counter Stools will be part of my kid’s memories. They do their homework at the counter, dye Easter eggs, eat snack and many meals at the counter, ZOOM school time, we entertain and relax on them. Given how much action they see, the aesthetic was important but also the quality of craftsmanship. These need to last. They need to withstand a beating. And so far so good.
My Serena & Lily Balboa Counter Stools are three years old. We’ve had some rattan get pulled off by the inquisitive little hands of a toddler or the teething puppy. But we’ve glued pieces back down with Gorilla Glue so they don’t keep pulling and haven’t had any significant issues. This is real life with furniture and we’ve been quite happy with these! I pulled together some other favorite Serena & Lily finds for the kitchen to go with the Serena & Lily Balboa Counter Stool. I’ve been eyeing that rug for our bedroom for a looooong time but it’s so beautiful in runner form I can barely stand it.
| 1. Balboa Counter Stool | 2. Kemp Pillow Cover | 3. Bowden Pillow Cover | 4. Rosecliff Chandelier | 5. Shearwater Hand Knotted Runner | 6. Beachside Wooden Bowls | 7. Scallop Tray | 8. Cayman Glasses | 9. Brela Napkins | 10. Terrace Round Dining Table (in Fog/White) | 11. Glass Vase| 12. Tucker Chair (we have these in our breakfast nook) | 13. Serving Board | 14. Artichoke Art |
I hope you’ve enjoyed a peek at one of my favorite home purchases–the Serena & Lily Balboa Counter Stool. Investing in high quality furniture can be super intimidating and it takes me a loooong time to pull the trigger but if this is one you’re on the fence about, I can tell you with confidence that we’ve given these a run for their money and they’re doing great.
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