Leather+wood=magic
Classic style pairing conveys extra value to consumers
By Joan Gunin -- Furniture Today, August 29, 2005
High Point — Tracy and Hepburn ... Gable and Lombard ... leather and wood — all represent classic combinations. While acceptable apart, pairing them lends even greater appeal.
The blending of leather and exposed wood continues to be a popular fashion look with consumers, particularly as seen on off-the-floor sofa frames, platform bases or arm treatments.
With an all-leather or a collage-style cover, the use of wood presents yet another look.
"Mixed media offers an additional style treatment," said Skipper Holliman, vice president of marketing for Lane Home Furnishings.
Michael Campbell, president of Leather Italia USA, said the combination of leather and exposed wood "offers versatility in style and design and décor ... a combination of lifestyle and traditional."
Both leather and wood exude natural warmth, like comfort food, and they are a versatile combination, adaptable to either traditional or contemporary environments. The mix also can stand out when paired with case pieces or correlates in a room setting.
A natural complement
Wood tones typically accentuate other natural elements in a room, including wood tables and flooring, said Roy Cal-cagne, senior vice president of upholstery for Universal.
Universal, which operates its own plants in Asia, offers leather/wood looks by capitalizing on its wood resources overseas, Calcagne said.
Other full-line resources, including Collezione Europa and Lane, feature wood-trimmed looks as part of fully coordinated room collections.
At Collezione Europa, Tim Connors, vice president of sales and merchandising, said leather/wood pieces work well with wall units, bedroom, dining room and other case pieces.
"We have more great rooms and less formal dining rooms, and the look needs to coordinate," Connors said.
Lane linked an auburn-tinged leather cover with a wood-base sofa finished in dark espresso for a soothing effect.
"It creates a clean look and works together with anything in wood, as well as table correlates," Holliman said.
At Flexsteel, Lee Fautsch, vice president of residential upholstery, said, "You can integrate leather into a room with occasional pieces. This is especially true of our Wrangler collection," which includes exposed wood along with such styling details as nailheads to project a casually rugged impression.
Moroni, meanwhile, delivers a daring contemporary contrast with its juxtaposition of light-toned wood and dark leather. "It's a more sophisticated look," said Jerry Ding, sales manager.
More for the money
Coaster Co. of America also is building on the leather/wood concept. Based on the success of its previous leather and wood entries, Coaster introduced the Butler sofa at the Las Vegas market. The three-over-three traditional sofa with rolled arms incorporates Chinese-crafted carvings, this time in conjunction with a bycast leather cover.
"There are so many price-sensitive items out there, particularly in bedroom and dining room, that this (piece) adds perceived value," said Sam Contreras, Coaster's product manager for leather and living room. "Overall, people want more for their money, and this look gives them more accent features, more detail."
