These stools are incrediblely sturdy. We got the big & tall mostly because we figured they'd be made a little better & last longer. Boy-o-boy are these made well!  The colors are very dark, nearly black metal, the cushion is a really dark chocolate & the wood is a walnut stain. - very classy & sharp looking. They do swivel, but you have to intend to move from side to side, so they are still very safe. I'm certain we will have these for years to come!  Wayfair hit it out of the park with this one!!!!!