Yes, JudyG that's exactly the way people were using the taller table. Sort of a café look, or casual bar setting. One home had a beautiful huge kitchen all done in white with dark wood floors and RH style fixtures and hardware. Where you would normally think would be a traditional dining room, they had made it up with a large high table and 6 barstools. It almost looked like an extension of the island. Another one was in a very open and light kitchen. It was smaller and where you might think of putting a breakfast nook they had a round café-style table with four barstools. I liked it because it gave a more casual appearance. If people were sitting at them, they were on the same level as those working in the kitchen. Almost like a bar at the island for that effect, but with some separation.

The red brick wall as a backdrop sounds very interesting. You can get quirky posters of various liquor brands like Jack Daniels, Chivas etc in black and white and get it framed and put them on the wall. Also industrial look is very in so the bar top can be done using a copper sheet over a plywood top instead of traditional granite or marble. Also utilise any empty beer bottles or wine bottles to make a customised chandelier. For stools you could have wrought iron stools with leather seats matching the brick wall. A small wall shelf with a display of shot glasses will make the look more interesting. Hope this is helpful, it will be great if you can share pictures of the area to give some more inputs.

contemporary designs work well with open plan kitchen dining and living

A McSo. Couldn't the base of 15cm overhang be supported end to end with steel. As a single steel structure mounted on the larger cabinet area visible here. It should be sufficient for supporting the extension. Corbels will provide additional support but IMHO may not be required. Have you thought about an semi circular or a D shape counter to avoid sharp edges. Thanks, Nitin Cornerstone Designs, Bangalore.