A new year brings with it the feeling of renewal, new beginnings...a fresh start. Inevitably, this means dusting off untouched boxes from your move two years ago, spring cleaning the garage or redecorating the lounge. A mammoth task that you take on with this new found "new years gusto".
Not many of us would look at leather as a decor choice. Factors such as practicality, availability, colour and price should be at the top of your list when considering leather as a decor item. Let's take a look at these four points and see if we end up with leather as decor or "horrorcor".
PRACTICALITY Leather couches tend to bring an air of luxury and sophistication to any room but living with an untrained 6 month old Labrador puppy or a two year old toddler with a new crayon set, might just send you crying at the thought of a leather couch. Not to mention a leather scatter cushion that will be used as a chew toy by either of the afore mentioned additions to the family. If, however, four legged or mini me two legged additions to the family aren't quite your thing, then leather is definitely an option for you.
AVAILABILITY There are numerous options out there for leather decor, from couches to vases, wallpaper to wood carriers but where to find it? A quick internet search will bring up the latest cheap imported item that you can purchase for the low low price of, put it together yourself with instructions in a foreign language and totally not the colour they showed you in the picture. Alternatively, you could look for a local leather smith or workshop that can make you a bespoke piece to suit you and that way be sure that the item you end up with is exactly what you are looking for.
COLOUR Previously your leather colour choices were brown, brown, brown or black. With not much in the way of colour variety it meant that your decor colour pallet either had to be earth tones or a more daring vampire's lair, black. Lately with the improvement of natural dyes and leather protection products you have a wider selection of colours to choose from, allowing you to create that rainbow of purple you've always wanted.
PRICE Full grain leather products might send your wallet into fits of anxiety but when it comes to quality, you get what you pay for. Paying that discounted, today's special because we say so price could mean that you end up with a flea infested fake leather couch that has seen more action that Chuck Norris. Spending a bit more secures you a piece that will age with you and could be passed down to that new two legged addition to your family.
At the end of the day leather can be decor or "horrorcor" depending on your taste in decor and what works for your budget. Frequent estate sales and local markets to pick up that leather water jug you didn't know you needed but now have to have. But who are we kidding....next year this time you'll be redecorating again, getting the dust off that same box from the move now three years ago and doing it with gusto, I should know, I'm in year 4.