HAY’s About A Stool collection applies the About A family’s simple shell language to counter and bar seating. The decisive measurement is the gap between the seat and the underside of the surface, followed by shell, base and upholstery.
Who designed About A Stool?
About A Stool is part of HAY’s About A collection by Hee Welling. It includes related shells on different bases and in different seat heights, with selected upholstery options.
Do you need counter or bar height?
Measure from the floor to the underside of the worktop or table, not the top surface. Then compare this with the exact stool seat height, allowing a comfortable gap for the sitter’s thighs. Do not choose solely from the terms ‘counter’ or ‘bar’.
Check the thickness of stone, timber framing or a dropped apron beneath the surface. Two worktops with the same top height can provide different knee clearance. If possible, compare the proposed gap with a stool and counter you already find comfortable.
How much space does each stool need?
Check the overall shell width and the spread of the base or footrest. Allow space between neighbouring stools and keep them clear of cupboard doors, appliances and routes behind the seated person.
Mark every stool, not just one. The usable run is often reduced by an end panel, waterfall edge or curved island corner. Leave enough room for people to turn into the seat and avoid placing the outer stool where an open door or busy route makes it uncomfortable.
Which shell is most comfortable?
Back height, arms and upholstery change how supported the stool feels. A compact shell is easy to approach and may tuck more neatly under a surface; a more enclosing shell can suit longer sitting but needs greater width and clearance.
Consider how long the stools are used. A quick breakfast place asks less of the back and seat than an island used for evening meals or laptop work. A lower back may disappear neatly beneath the worktop but should not be chosen if sustained support is the priority.
Which base should you choose?
Wood and steel bases create different visual weight and floor contact. Check the location and shape of the footrest, the supplied glides and the complete base footprint. The footrest should be easy for the intended users to reach.
Look at where shoes naturally land and whether the finish will tolerate regular contact. Floor glides must suit the surface beneath, while broad bases can reduce the space available for neighbouring feet even when the shells are adequately separated.
Should the stool be upholstered?
Upholstery adds softness for longer meals but needs to suit a kitchen setting. Review textile care, request samples and consider whether an unupholstered shell or separate seat pad would be more practical.
What does the AAS model number tell you?
The code distinguishes particular shell, base and height combinations. Confirm the full number and specification because related models can look similar in photographs.
Record the finished seat height in words alongside the code. This provides a final check when ordering and is particularly useful if counter and bar versions appear together in search results or quotations.
Choosing your About A Stool
Resolve seat height and spacing first, then choose shell, base and upholstery. Recheck the complete product code before ordering a set.
Find the right stool for your counter. Explore our HAY collection, or contact us with your worktop measurement to compare current stools.
