Styling The Modern Vail Stool Two Ways

*Today’s post was made possible by Denver Modern, and features gifted product for the purposes of a candid review. All opinions are my own.

When John and I hired someone to install custom quartz countertops in our original 1960s kitchen, we made the decision to extend the counters off the back of the peninsula as far as we could structurally in order to create a bonus eating area. I had no idea just how often we would actually use this spot for dining, though. That sort of flippantly made decision way back when has given us our main eating zone in the house! It’s just big enough for two counter height bar stools, and I’d say we eat at this spot in our home more often than not. Because it gets used so frequently during the week, I really wanted to make it a focal point in terms of the design of our kitchen, which led us to adding a pair of ultra luxurious Vail Stools from Denver Modern.

We had nice stools up at the counter before this change, but they were pretty neutral in style. They were upholstered, but didn’t really have much ornamentation or interest beyond that. I dreamed of having stools here that felt a little more high end and that could serve as statement pieces in our, otherwise, pretty modest and demure retro kitchen. When I saw the leather strap detail on the back of the Vail Stool I knew that it was just what the space had been missing. We love how durable the nubby white boucle fabric has been, and the black metal frame is a super sleek and grounding element in the room now, too.

In case you have a larger, more traditional kitchen, I also wanted to show this stool design in a totally different space for a second perspective. Here’s another pair of these stools in my parents’ Dutch Colonial home. It’s funny how similarly our kitchens are as far as layout goes (U-shaped run of lower cabinets, sink off to the right, peninsula bar seating), but their interior style tends to lean a little more traditional—or maybe “transitional” is a better descriptor. Even still, the Vail Stool fits right in with their décor. See how the black metal frame ties in nicely with their black/stainless steel appliances? We all love how these modern stools give the largely traditional room a bit of visual contrast.

Beyond style, though, I also wanted to mention that these are the most comfortable stools I’ve ever sat in. I thought that the low back on the frame would make me less inclined to lounge in them for hours at a time, but the shape is actually super ergonomic. The scolloped shape of the rounded seat and back offers lots of great lumbar support, and it’s large enough that I can sit in it comfortably with my legs curled up beneath me or beside me. I repeat: these are the most comfortable stools I’ve ever sat in!

The main point I wanted to make when showing the Denver Modern Vail Stool in two very different kitchens is that the design works well in pretty much any kind of home, whether your style leans more modern, more traditional, or even industrial. I could also see this working in a farmhouse kitchen that’s styled with other leather accents and antique black cast iron pots and pans. Comment below and let me know if you have a unique space that you’re considering for a new Vail Stool or two! I’m happy to help you plan a couple of quick tweaks to make the stools look and feel like the perfect fit for your own eat-in kitchen. Did I mention they come in bar height and dining table height, too?! Details this way.