| Leather upholstery dates back to the Renaissance | | | | owned only by the richest families and individuals. Bold |
| age and was especially prevalent in sixteenth and | | | | or strong dye colors were very popular, including rich |
| seventeenth century Spain. The artists and skilled | | | | burgundy, rust, navy, and berry. The glazing process |
| craftsmen of the time developed tools for embossing, | | | | used created a smooth, shiny finish on the leather, |
| dying, and tanning raw hides that are still used today. | | | | which is characteristic of most antique pieces on the |
| Throughout history, furniture ranging from chairs and | | | | market today. Even some of the modern designs for |
| couches to headboards have been covered in leather | | | | leather office chairs utilize these rich colors, bringing a |
| and decorated with metal studs or even nails. Due to | | | | real sense of establishment and success into the |
| the rich history of leather furniture as well as the art of | | | | office. |
| tanning hides, leather furniture has grown to symbolize | | | | Modern leather upholstery utilizes lighter neutral colors |
| power, strength, and status within the business world, | | | | like white, ivory, and natural wood shades. We also |
| making leather office chairs quite popular. | | | | see softer more pliable leathers being used almost like |
| How is Leather Made? | | | | fabric, allowing for a wider variety of design options |
| The tanning process developed in the late sixteenth | | | | including draping and pleating. The subtle matte finish |
| century took nearly a year to complete from start to | | | | maintains the integrity of the leather while giving a |
| finish. Animal hides were first coated in oil and grease, | | | | more casual or relaxed look to the furniture itself. While |
| then scraped down to just the tough hide before being | | | | this more modern take on leather office chairs doesn't |
| subjected to repeated pummeling in order to soften | | | | make as bold a statement as the traditional style, the |
| the hide. Stomping on the hide with bare feet was the | | | | thinner material and softer framing is compatible with |
| most common approach for leather softening. Leather | | | | current advances in ergonomic design, making the |
| from cattle and oxen was more common back then | | | | chairs themselves very comfortable and easy to use. |
| due to the availability of the animals as well as the | | | | Leather in the Workplace |
| resulting strength of the leather. As time progressed, | | | | Given the comfort and high quality of leather |
| goat leather was used for more delicate applications. | | | | upholstery, it is no surprise that many businesses and |
| Leather Furniture | | | | firms choose leather office chairs. Furthering the |
| The major benefits of using leather as a textile in | | | | association of these chairs with power and status, you |
| furniture are that the natural product is extremely | | | | are most likely to find them behind the desks of |
| durable, properly cared for leather is soft and | | | | executives and upper level employees. Leather office |
| comfortable, and finally, leather upholstery is linked to | | | | chairs are a great addition to a formal conference |
| the wealthy and powerful upper class. The earliest | | | | room, where they provide employees and guests with |
| leather furniture was very traditional in style and large | | | | an extra taste of luxury. |
| in size. The pieces were expensive and therefore | | | | |