The look, feel, and smell of leather is a distinct and ancient joy. Throughout the ages, its many uses have been widely impactful, but we – of course – have to favor leather furniture above all else. Specifically, saddle leather.
We carefully selected this leather for our Leather Desk Chair (J4) and Leather Desk (J5) in order to highlight its ultra-smooth surface and luster. What makes saddle leather so unique is how it’s finished at the tannery: the cow hide has both the flesh and grain side of the leather infused with greases and finished with wax. This labor-intensive process explains why saddle leather is one of the more expensive cuts available – exhibiting a rich depth of color that gets more attractive over time, a smooth touch that is flexible to handle, and a strength that can withstand frequent use for many years.
In fact, this kind of leather has been utilized for centuries in the equestrian trade because of its extreme durability – enough to adorn horses in the form of reins, headgear and, of course, saddles. Is it any wonder we chose to incorporate this leather for our Desk and Desk Chair respectively?
Our Leather Desk Chair (J4) beautifully bridges masculinity and femininity. Hand-constructed of saddle leather and metal, it works in the most transitional of environments. Pair this exquisite item with the Leather Desk (J5) for maximum impact, which combines the rugged masculinity of saddlery and the delicate femininity of jewelry. The exterior features leather with khaki stitching adorned with an antique pendant and handles. The leather is custom cut for each cabinet allowing for slight variations of its wooden and steel frame.
The wrapping of these leather furniture pieces requires a softer first layer grade of leather as it must have elasticity, versus leather we use on flat surfaces that can be more rigid. The leather is then rubbed evenly with a blunt tool to remove any air pockets encountered during the lamination process. The next process is called “skiving” which allows the cut hide portion to achieve an even thickness. The leather is then pre-stitched and laminated to the items using an environmentally safe adhesive.
The tan leather version of both these items is actually hand-tipped to achieve its shaded look. “Hand-tipped” refers to artistically shading the leather by hand using an airbrush and at times a rag to color. The quality of these pieces is a testament to the versatility and fortitude of saddle leather: if it can survive wear & tear of horse riding, it can most certainly hold up from sitting comfortably in your den with your favorite page-turning novel, or perhaps writing one of your very own at our desk.
By implementing one of the finest leathers available, we are confident that our J4 and J5 will mature gracefully for our customers, becoming richer and more appealing as time goes on. Next to wine, we can’t think of any product that gets better – and more enjoyable – with age like our Leather Chair and Desk.