Armchairs and footstools
While a whole suite of leather furniture might be too much, an armchair or a generously sized footstool brings just the right amount of cosiness to a living room. Like wool or velvet, leather’s got a natural warmth to it, which makes it great for mixing and matching with other fabrics.
Our occasional armchairs and footstools (such as Caspar, pictured in this living room) are now available upholstered in our new St James leather. Butter-soft and matte, it’s got a timeworn look that reminds us of vintage leather furniture, so it’ll instantly feel like an old favourite you’ve had forever.
It’s a type of leather known in the trade as “pull-up” – this means it’s treated with a mix of oils and waxes to make it soft and flexible, and give it a unique texture. If you “pull up” the leather with your fingers, or rub your hand across it, you’ll notice subtle movements in the grain and colour – almost like you would on velvet pile. These subtle changes are part of its charm, and they’re a sign that it’ll get even lovelier with age, absorbing any small scratches or scuffs and growing more characterful.
Just one leather armchair’s enough to transform the feel of a room – think of it as an extra layer of texture with other natural materials like wool, stone and wood. If you really want to embrace it, though, add a large footstool alongside. With its wide, even top, our Arthur design works as a coffee table, too. Leather’s softer and more comforting than a hard finish like timber or metal, so this will warm up rooms that can feel a little chilly.
Colours and finishes
Leather can change character dramatically depending on the shade and finish – something shiny or pale will be much more formal than a natural colour.
For us, shades that stick close to the hide’s original hue feel more right, which is why our St James leather comes in a classic tan shade. We chose it because it really does go with everything, from neutrals and pale woods to deeper, richer colours and glossier materials like glass.
Other shades of brown or grey leather have a similar feel and are equally at home in the city or the country, whether your style’s traditional or modern. And they’re easier to live with day to day than something like black leather, which has a bit more of a contemporary edge and sets a very different mood.
As an accent
If you’re not sure whether leather’s for you, or you just prefer smaller touches of it, try adding a few cushions or small accessories to a room. Our Hanson desk accessories, pictured in this light-filled study, are a simple, subtle way to use the material. And as they come in a rich tan shade too, they’ll go well with our leather upholstery if you decide to grow your collection later. Or, try leather-bound books and vintage pieces for a similar effect.
You could also bring in leather footstools, such as our Alex and Milo designs, pictured here. Both double up as small side tables and bring just a hint of leather’s charm to a living room or bedroom.
What to team it with
Our St James leather’s designed to be versatile. You can play it up or down to make it feel more polished or more relaxed. With metal or glass, it’ll take on a more city-like feel, while with raw wood and unbleached linens (like Imogen and Samuel), it’ll seem more laidback and organic.
We also love this tan leather contrasted with brighter colours, such as the ones in our paint palette. For warmth, try it with the Chestnut or Paprika shades. For something lighter and prettier, Old Rose is lovely, or for a really contemporary look that nods to trends, Teal or Blakeney Blue make a strong contrast.
One of the best things about leather is that it needs hardly any upkeep because it looks best when it’s a little lived in. Just treat it to a restorative, protective layer of petroleum jelly buffed in once in a while, and use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner or a cloth to dust it.