You might want to look at afdjustable stools I love the bombo in a traditional space just for a bit of fun and they adjust all the way down to chair height if you google adjustable stools you will find lots.

Dining chairs are 18". Dining tables are 30". With the 4" apron. No one of standard size has trouble with that clearance and it is exactly the same as with standard 24" stools and 36" counters. YMMV if you have above average sized family members.

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see picture from houzz...that looks like a 4 inch apron with more knee room than mine..no?

Are you larger than average? If not, then switching to standardized 24" stools from the too tall 26" should be all the ''clearance'' that you need.

neither our dining room nor our counter has an apron, but both have 12" difference from seat to top.

you will in fact see many many photos on houzz that are beautiful but unusable, especially of counter stools being way too high for the counter, the person's knees would be at the counter height.

bad bad designers!

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changing your stools to a 24 that is adjustable down makes the most sense. crate and barrel has one that is 18 -24".

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/turner-black-adjustable-backless-counter-stool/s527246

if you can have your apron altered up a couple inches it would be great, you and your carpenter will need to work out what's feasible now.

The construction is standard. The stools are NOT. There is no laying this at the feet of the KD

Sophie not blaming anyone just trying to figure out how to best rectify the problem. I do see the apron sizes varying on houzz some looking the same size as mine and some looking skinnier that's why I'm asking. Also would love to hear from people that have an apron how much clearance they are living with. Well we just returned the chairs to ikea (they were super comfy) and will source out a 24 inch chair. I'll let you know.

Hi Everyone...I have tried a 24 inch chair and that gives us 6 inches of thigh room which seems to be enough. I may also get my cabinet maker reduce the size of skirt to 3 inches; we'll see. Just happy to that we can eat at the island. For anybody considering s skirt do not go larger than 3 inches. Thanks everybody for your feedback. Here is a pick of 24 inch chair.

Please don't trim back the apron - it's exactly right for the scale of the piece. Take a look for adjustable stools. There are lots out there to suit every budget and style.

It's also nice to be able to tuck them underneath when not in use.

Standard stool height for a 36" high top is between 22 and 24" and yes the skirt should be 3" too.

The stools are definitely the issue. If you absolutely love your stools, perhaps the installer could add an arch to the aprons to allow for leg clearance. With a shaker style kitchen, if you used more of a straight line arch it could look as if you planned it that way.

If you haven't already solved your issue, have you considered cutting the legs down a bit on your stools if you already have them. A lot cheaper than cutting the apron!

They always recommend a 2 to 3 inch apron so you have plenty of knee room. If you get a 3 inch apron with a 24 inch stool on a 36 inch high island ‘ (which is standard) you would have 9 inches of room which is plenty. 33-24=9

My cabinet guy made a 5 inch apron which I’m having them cut down to 3 inches before he installs

Kathryn Collins while your advice may help, the OP posted this 7 years ago and I am sure they have found a solution by now or changed direction entirely.

Just buy adjustable barstools.

Just buy adjustable barstools.