I know I am not the first blogger to cover this topic but I was sourcing a garden stool today for a client (to use as a shaving bench in her shower) so they were on my mind. An interior design trend for the past few years has been to use these stools as side tables, nightstands or extra seating in a pinch. It is always nice to break up massive amounts of wood furniture by having another material like ceramic to add some interest. Likewise for adding a shape other than square or rectangular furniture.
I love layering them in front of other tables like this...
Garden stools as side tables, coffee tables and nightstands...
I also like to layer them under a console table like this...
My favorite source for ceramic stools is Emissary (available to the trade only). Their varied collection is what put this company on the map back around 1989 . If you like anything you see, email me at sidney@eclectic-idg.com for a price. Or you can get your own knock-off version for cheap via any of the companies below, many of which are having end of summer sales. Beware however that most versions are heavy as all get out!
Wisteria Metallic Chinese Garden Stool for $129
Ballard Tuiles Garden Seat for $99
Overstock Ceramic Hexagonal Stool for $160
~Images: 1) styleathome.com 2) Designer Mary McDonald 3) Designer Jennifer Marsico Domino April 2007 4) House Beautiful Oct 2009 5) Domino Dec/Jan 2009 6) Domino April 2008 7) Coastal Living May 2009 8) Ashley Whitaker courtesy of Little Green Notebook