So much of the Hand & Grain bench-made upholstery is wrapped in hides, we feel it is important for us to share some tips about choosing the right leather for your lifestyle. We’re not just generalizing here, we’re actually giving examples for each of our leather collections so you can feel confident when ordering furniture from us. For absolute certainty that you are choosing the best leather for your home, we encourage you to order swatches, which we make super easy: just ask!
Aston Leather Collection
Our Aston leather collection is 100% top grain cowhide leather that begins its upholstery journey as one of the finest full grain leathers on the market. The highest quality North American steers are exclusively used for this leather, which has a matte finish and a luxuriously soft hand once corrected. Shading and natural characteristics are inherent within each hide to make each one unique. The Aston includes a comprehensive range of colors for any type of setting, from contemporary to traditional; and it is a Grade-3 leather suitable for casual living because it doesn’t scratch easily, which makes it perfect for families with pets and for situations in which there will be lots of interactivity with the surface. This is one of our leathers that will wear nicely over time.
Butte Leather Collection
Our Butte leather collection is 100% top grain cowhide leather that begins its upholstery journey as a thick heavy-weight full grain leather that is so supple you don’t have to sacrifice a soft touch. It has been hand-finished to give it a rugged appearance, which makes it perfect for a lodge or western setting. It has a good degree of natural protection, and the inherent beauty of the corrected hide comes from the shading and other aesthetic characteristics that come through from the original hide. One of the things that makes this Grade-3 leather unique is that it is beautifully textured and it will not wear quickly. It doesn’t mark or scratch easily so it retains its color and texture, which makes it great for family rooms and other high-use areas, and a wonderful choice when pets and children will be scampering about.
Portia Leather Collection
Our Portia leather collection, which is 100% top grain cowhide leather, begins its upholstery journey as a stunning Italian full grain leather that undergoes a specialized tanning process to give it a smooth grain and high-sheen finish. It is particularly suited for contemporary furniture designs given there are more fashion-forward colors within its comprehensive palette. It has all of the unique natural characteristics of shading that represent the beauty of a Grade-3 leather, and this collection has a beautiful hand with natural scaring and grain. Because this leather has a smooth grain, it will scratch and mark easily. This will give it a lovely worn look, but best not to order it if you have a teaming family that includes children and pets, as they could alter it in ways you wouldn’t want.
Cordero Leather Collection
Our Cordero leather collection, a 100% cowhide leather, includes our most unique leather hides. These Italian full-grain hides are cut, sewn and upholstered before they undergo a meticulous hand-coloring and hand-finishing process, which doesn’t take place until the furniture is fully made. Each piece covered in this leather has its own signature, which means no two upholstered pieces are alike. This is due to the detail work that is undertaken by our team of leather artisans. The finished effect is a vintage appearance that enhances and highlights the natural shading and characteristics of the sumptuously soft hides. The fact that this Grade-3 leather doesn’t mark or scratch means it is a good choice for families with children and pets, though it is not as invincible as our SuperSuede. As it continues to wear nicely over time, the vintage appeal will only grow. Best to remember that this leather is not water-resistant.
Granada Leather Collection
Our Granada leather collection is 100% top grain cowhide leather (shown above in Sandstone), and is one of the finest leathers we offer. It has an incredibly soft, buttery touch and feel. The full grain hides are tanned in Italy, offering the true leather connoisseur all of the expected beauty and depth of character for which Italian leathers are renowned. Shading and natural imperfections make each hide unique and this collection is available in a wide range of colors. It is one of our more luxurious Grade 3 leathers, and we do not recommend it for families with children and/or pets because it is delicate and will mark easily.
Aura Leather Collection
The Hand & Grain Aura leather collection, which is 100% top grain cowhide, is a special leather with a velvety and luxuriously soft finish. It has a gentle waxy touch and a subtle two-tone shading effect. These kiss-buffed hides combine the look and feel of a Nubuck leather but have a protective finish that gives them an overall durability not normally found in this type of leather. Aura is available in an attractive range of fashion-forward colors. Order a free swatch to see for yourself what a sumptuously soft Grade-3 leather it is. The great news is that it is also durable, as it is not easily marked or scratched. It is well-suited for homes with children and pets, though there are limits to how much abuse it will take without showing wear. If you like the feel of suede, you’ll love this leather.
Dune Leather Collection
Our Dune leather collection is 100% top grain North American Bison leather, an exclusive leather made from the iconic American Bison. The full grain hides they are made from have a 30-to-40% higher tensile strength than cowhide, which means the grain pattern is unique and bold. This leather is enriched with waxes and oils to give it a dramatic pull-up effect that is rugged and distressed. It’s a Grade 2 leather with a vintage look, the waxed finish lending it a degree of durability. Given it has an aged appearance, this leather is family- and pet-friendly because the natural markings mean additional wear won’t stand out. It is not a delicate leather, which makes it perfect for high-usage spaces.
Brama Leather Collection
Our Brama leather collection is 100% top grain cowhide leather that is hand finished and kiss-buffed to give it a buttery soft Nubuck-like feel and a distressed appearance. It comes with a moderate degree of protection built in and is notable for the highs and lows of the shading within each hide, which is a natural aspect of this leather that gives it its inherent beauty. A Grade 2 leather, the matte finish means it doesn’t mark easily, so it’s quite durable, and the distressing ensures it will handle wear quite well.
Stetson Leather Collection
The Hand & Grain Stetson leather collection is 100% top grain Italian cowhide that has been kiss-buffed. It has a unique crackled finish over which waxes and oils are used to give each leather a rugged and distressed appearance that will only improve as the surface ages. It will show signs of use, and you should expect natural shading and imperfections that make each hide one-of-a-kind even when it’s new. A Grade 3 leather, it is best for people who don’t mind a distressed look or who prefer leather that will take on more character with usage. It will mark fairly easily and it will soften over time.
Primo Leather Collection
Our Primo leather collection is 100% top grain cowhide leather that begins its upholstery journey as a soft and luxurious full grain leather that offers a sumptuous hand to the touch and all of the unique characteristics of quality hides. It has a subtle sheen and moderate shading with natural imperfections that bring it its inherent beauty (shown above in Flame). Though it is an entry-level leather at Grade 1, this does not mean it has less appeal than higher grades, as it has a durable hand. Your leather selection should be based upon lifestyle and some leathers are better suited to families with children and pets, and for high-usage areas of the home. This is one of them. Also, because there is less distressing on the surface of the leathers in this collection, the available colors are not muted—they come in a very straightforward color palette.
Orion Leather Collection
The Orion leather collection is 100% top grain cowhide so it is a robust family-friendly leather available in over 25 colors. The corrected grain of the hides makes it soft to the touch and it has a consistent color story. This versatile leather has a good degree of protection, which makes it a perfect choice for seating in homes with children and pets, or for contract and hospitality projects. A Grade 1 leather, we say this is one of our most dependable leathers: what you see is what you get. Because the Orion collection is not distressed, it will not mark easily.
We hope this primer as to how to choose the right leather for your lifestyle has been helpful. If you still have questions, reach out to our customer care team. We are at the ready to fill in any details you still lack so you can make the best choice in leather for your furniture. And don’t forget to order swatches, as you will be able to feel the difference in our hides and ensure the color choice is spot-on before we make your custom piece.