Enterprise-Record (Chico)

Creating style at home: How to love your leather

- By Katie Laughridge

There is just nothing quite like leather furniture. Cool in the summertime and cozy when it’s cold out, the look and feel of leather is something we love. From ottomans and stools to chairs, sofas and yes, even sectionals, we appreciate a quality leather piece.

A variety of leathers are suitable for different uses and lifestyles. From natural leather with light protection to leatherett­e (faux leather) that can withstand kiddos and fur babies alike, there is a leather that’s just right for your space. A rainbow of color options are also available, from beautiful browns to bottle greens to poppy reds, which means you can work a leather into almost any palette.

While I love a great lived-in leather piece that shows it has been well loved and wel -used, I still want to take good care of my leather pieces so they remain in good condition for years to come. How do I do that? By following the best practices as outlined by the folks who make leather furniture by hand.

Before we dig into leather care essentials, it’s important to note that as a natural material, leather has variations in color and texture.

The less treatment a leather has received (to protect against scratching and fading), the more variation you will find. The more treatment, the less variation. Each

hide has unique characteri­stics including neck and belly wrinkles, evidence of a life spent outdoors, and grain variations, all of which are taken into considerat­ion when a hide or multiple hides are cut, stitched and applied to a furniture frame. If you love the depth and character that variation gives,

 ?? HANDOUT ?? A leather chair complement­s the brown tones in a bedding set
HANDOUT A leather chair complement­s the brown tones in a bedding set

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