Material witness
Creative mixed media combos give leather a whole new look
By Joan Gunin -- Furniture Today, January 5, 2003
High Point — The medium is the message in leather these days, as producers apply a host of creative, natural materials to frames to enhance their selling appeal.
These versatile accents — which have grown as popular as novel fabric add-ons — include wood, metal, wicker, rattan and other natural fibers. Not only do these materials dress up leather looks but, like leather, they add a touch of the natural.
"Natural things work together," said Allan Palecek, president of woven furniture producer Palecek Imports. "A good frame comes off well in leather and rattan because it is both textural and sensual."
Unlike his leather specialist competitors, who use rattan and other natural accents to add spice to their hides, Palecek takes a contrary view: "The upholstery or leather is there to enhance the look of the woven material."
Consumers move upscale
Leather's growing popularity as an upholstery cover, especially over the last 10 years, is a reflection of our more affluent times, according to Palecek.
"If you have a choice between a fabric and leather couch, leather represents an upgrade over any other fabric upholstery," Palecek said. "It is comfortable, feels good and looks good."
And, he added, "Everything is affordable now."
Palecek said he draws from a wide spectrum of mixed materials — such as furniture tacks, wood trim and double-stitching — to make his leather distinctive. He compares leather upholstery to leather seats in a car — a leather cover serves as an upgrade and a fashion statement.
Because leather is such a "solid luxurious base," it makes it very easy and comfortable for customers to mix mediums, said Michelle Rosson, general manager for Thomasville's leather/motion products. "Wood, for instance, enriches the leather and makes a natural story."
In addition, leather/wicker combinations have a high level of acceptance among consumers, according to Joan Tremlett, director of North American operations, sales/marketing for DeCoro. At the October 2002 market, DeCoro included a rattan-trimmed frame as part of the launch of its upscale DeNovo line.
"We will enlarge our assortment in April 2003 with enhanced looks due to the initial reception," said Tremlett.
"It's a different look to sell, and it brings you into a different arena in terms of the casual furniture market," she added.
The wicker treatments are contracted out rather than being produced in-house at DeCoro's Chinese facility. Tremlett said the design of the loose leather cushion allows it to slip easily into the rattan frame.
A fresh face
One factor driving mixed media approaches to leather is the desire to keep the product fresh.
"As this segment has become more and more Americanized, we are trying to find new ways to style the product," said Fred Starr, president of Natuzzi Americas.
With an infinite number of choices available, including colors, textures and fabrics, "People are looking for creative ways to design these into the leather," Starr said.
Wood accents are a strong seller for Natuzzi, according to Starr. The company's facility in Spagnessi, Italy, is dedicated solely to the production of exposed wood parts.
"The wood comes from Romania," he noted. "Beech is especially good to work with because it is not grainy."
In addition to using wood, Classic Leather also livens up its leathers with visible double-stitching, tufting and innovative fabric mixtures.
"We are always looking at ways to change the look — without changing the core materials," said Tommy Shores Jr., president. "One way is through stitching options. These stitching techniques are a bit more labor-intensive but that can be offset by the improved leather yield we get from stitching around defects. Sometimes, smaller pieces can be utilized."
Century has received a good response to its leather/fabric medleys, which have come to represent a significant portion of its business since their debut three years ago.
"For our larger accounts, those combinations make up one-third of our leather upholstery business," said Ed Tashjian, director of marketing. "It's meant huge business for us."
"People like leather arms, backs and skirts, but like the seating areas to be fabric for comfort and softness," Tashjian said.
Century also applies leather coverings to some of its case goods.
"The drawers are wrapped in leather to provide textural interest," Tashjian said.
William Alan, too, has employed novel materials for its various collections, including the Airstream Home Collection that will debut at the April High Point market. This line incorporates aluminum and metal.
But William Alan also has worked wooden boat motifs and other metals into previous lines.
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