Natural Leather 101

Leather is an organic material, shaped by nature. Patina, color variation, markings, and wrinkles are all characteristics that add to its beauty and depth.

a hallmark of quality

Patina
With use and time, leather will burnish and patina, lending even the smallest item even more distinction. The natural leathers used in our collection enable our products to develop a beautiful patina over time through regular use. Remember that a patina is not just a hallmark of high quality, but a story of your life. So don't hesitate to use your leather and watch it develop a stunning patina over time.
Color Variation
Even within the same dye-lot you will find subtle variation in color between hides. Below is an example of how color variation is expressed on our Meriwether Armchair. Our skilled upholsterers utilize the slight color differences within a hide and create a unique, one-of-a-kind piece.
Example of color variation

A Worn-in Effect

Pull-Up
During the finishing stages, leather is treated with a blend of transparent waxes and oils. When stretched or pulled, separation of the waxes/oils occurs and the color will contrast, becoming lighter in the pulled areas, resulting in a worn in effect.
Natural Markings
Natural leather may have small marks from bug bites, scratches, and stretch marks. You may come across these marks on your unique piece. Neck wrinkles, which are heavily textured features of a hide, are a valuable and limited feature of leather. We appreciate the beauty of these lines, and our skilled craftsmen usually highlight them on the back of a chair when upholstering. Our Reclaimed Collection is expertly made from hides that proudly display natural markings, resulting in unique pieces of style and substance.
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Natural markings, bite markNatural markings, scratch markNatural markings, neck wrinkle