Consumers' Choice
Leather furniture is romantic, sophisticated, durable, and comfortable. Today's consumers are trendy and bold, extending their love for leather furnishings to leather mirrors and picture frames, leather lamps and shades, and even leather window treatments and area rugs. Top-grain (the top layer of the hide, possessing the highest levels of strength and softness) and full-grain leathers (unique in that each leather and sofa sports imperfections of scars to the cowhide) are finding a place in every room of the house.
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Getting the Most from Your Leather
Leather furniture is an investment in style that improves with age. The highest-quality leather is not always the most reasonable choice; mid-grade leathers often wear better. The beauty of leather is in its uniqueness. You are decorating around imperfections of nature. Lose the perfectionist that hides within you. Cowhides vary and tan differently, as do human complexions. Building your furniture suite gives you the benefits of variations. Placing leather furniture in areas with direct sun exposure is as damaging to leather as it is to skin, so consider location and window treatments when furnishing with leather.
Accessorize, Please
Keep window treatments informal - avoid lace. Adequate table and floor lights and use of dimmer switches add to the harmony of the room. Hang pictures low enough so they are viewed as a whole with the leather furniture grouping. Clutter and small collectibles do not incorporate well with the boldness of leather sofas and leather chairs; store curiosities in a lighted curio cabinet.
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Incorporate area rugs with bold textures - the smoother the lines of your leather furniture, the bolder the rugs. Draw color into the room with throw pillows, afghans, and throws. Lamps and shades should be bold, lace-free, and in balance with the weight of the furniture. Accentuate the room with brass or other metal lamp bases.
