Why metal chairs?

My interior designer picked out some metal chairs for us (see below). I really like the style but I'm not sure metal is very comfortable for guests. A couple of reasons she probably picked out is because of our budget and I need something kid friendly. I do like the low back but I was reading on another post that the chairs should be higher than the table. Is this true?!

Here is a pic of my current dining room with table.

Here is a pic of her design (right side):

Here are the guest chairs she chose:

Walker Black metal and wood dining chair

There are several variations of this chair in wood that I like but 6 solid oak chairs might be too expensive for us. I saw some rubberwood ones but I read rubberwood doesn't last very long. Also some of the wood chairs I like have a higher back and not sure if this would interfere with the look we were going for.

Clarence Side Chair (rubberwood)

Solid Oak Windsor (oak)

Magnolia Chair (hardwood but doesn't specify)

Madison Chair (oak)

I know fabric would be the most comfortable but I've become a bit paranoid about foam ever since I read some allergy book so I didn't want to have too much fabric/foam furniture. I know there are some low VOC, non flame retardant options out there but they are sooo expensive. Maybe when we are in our mid 40s and redecorating those will be more obtainable for us.

Anyway, please give me some feedback on the types of wood and height I should be getting along with any other chair suggestions! Our style is on the eclectic, Scandinavian, mid century modern side.

You might not know this iconic chair's formal name, but you've almost certainly sat in one before. Often finished in a bright color or shiny metallic, the Tolix Marais A chair ($395, Design Within Reach) is a staple at sidewalk cafés and coffee shops. In homes, it makes a practical choice for dining rooms, patios, and nearly every space in between. Although the galvanized steel chair has become a hallmark of the industrial aesthetic, it's now used with practically all decorating styles.

Kim Cornelison

An American favorite, the nearly century-old seating originated in the Burgundy region of France. It was designed and created by French furniture maker Xavier Pauchard, who began his metalworking career in his family's roofing and repair business. "Whether it was roofs, cookware, or toys, if it was made from tinplate (sheets of iron protected from corrosion by dipping them in molten tin), Pauchard and his father could fabricate or fix it," design historian Amy Azzarito writes in her book, The Elements of a Home: Curious Histories behind Everyday Household Objects, from Pillows to Forks, ($12, Amazon).

Pauchard later opened his own workshop called Tolix, where he was the first in France to adopt the galvanization technique for his furniture designs. This metalworking process involves dipping iron or steel in molten zinc to create a more durable, rust-resistant material. In 1934, Pauchard debuted his Marais A chair, which was (and still is) handcrafted from galvanized steel using a 100-step process.

Ray Kachatorian

Because of its practicality paired with an elegant silhouette, the chair was immediately popular and soon became the quintessential café chair in France. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, the original lightweight seating could be stacked 25 high and featured holes punched in the seat to allow for rainwater drainage.

As industrial style surged in the late 20th century, the chair moved from bistros into homes and remains an interior design staple today. The furniture offers sturdy, easy-to-clean seating with a timeless retro-meets-modern look.

Frances Janisch

Still in business today, Tolix continues to manufacture the iconic chairs in Autun, France, where they now sell for 292 euros (about $298). On this side of the Atlantic, you can find authentic versions on sites like Design Within Reach for around $400. Reproductions of the industrial-style metal chair are also widely available at more affordable prices.