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Why Use Leather?
It’s a great question, and one we love to answer. Leather is what we do. We are a leather company and we have been for 83 years. Leather is one of man’s earliest and most useful discoveries. Our ancestors used leather to protect themselves from the elements. Primitive man hunted wild animals for food, then made clothing, footwear and crude tents from the hides. Like then, hides used today are a by-product of the meat industry. Animals are raised for the meat, dairy and wool industries, not for their hides. Isn’t it amazing that we can take what is essentially a waste product and make it a useful and beautiful material?
"Hides tanned today are a by-product of the meat industry - if not used they would have to be buried or burned."
Leather's Place Today
Due to its durability and comfort, leather has been used for seating throughout the history of transportation and furniture. It has always been the ideal material for making saddles and tack, as well as footwear. During the Middle Ages, leather became the cover of choice for dining chairs, because it was easy to maintain and did not absorb the odor of food – a fact that is still true today.
Modern technology has allowed for innovation in the leather industry, as the development of chemicals and sophisticated processing methods have greatly expanded the aesthetics and feel of leather as well as the possible applications. Leather continues to be the luxury material of choice, not just for commercial and residential furniture but for automotive, aviation and marine applications as well.
We believe nothing adds richness to a room like leather. Natural leather is not only strong, durable and sustainable, it offers something that no other material can match – uniqueness. No two hides are identical. This means that your chairs, your sofa – your project will be unique as well. In the hands of a skilled craftsman, unique markings of each hide become celebrated features that separate sameness. Leather also appeals to the senses. It begs to be touched and over time and wear becomes more beautiful with age.
Learn more about the different types of Moore & Giles leather.
Moore & Giles Leather
Moore & Giles designs and delivers leather from the world's finest artisan tanneries. Through our headquarters in Lynchburg, Virginia we give designers access to nearly 4 million sq. ft. on-hand every day. Learn what makes Moore & Giles leather truly unique.
How Much Will I Need?
It's a question we answer everyday. Our team is trained specifically to guide you through selecting leather. We know each project is unique, but from our 83 years of experience we have created a general guide to some of the most common sizes.
Sample Leather
We love leather and we are certain once you see and feel Moore & Giles leather you will agree. That's why we offer complimentary sampling for designers and customers. Let us send you samples today for your next project and you can judge for yourself if our leather measures up.