Wood + Leather
2024
Chair made to exemplifies the beauty of patina.
Designer
Role
Iteration, Model Making, Woodworking
Tools
Willis Leather
Collaborator
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Product Statement
Wood + Leather is a chair designed around the quiet transformation that occurs when natural materials age with grace. Patina is the project’s driving force—the idea that an object becomes more meaningful, more expressive, and more personal through years of touch, wear, and daily use.
Crafted from solid wood and finished with hand-worked leather, the chair celebrates materials that reveal their history rather than hide it. The leather seat and backrest were created in collaboration with a local leather artisan, whose craftsmanship brought depth, nuance, and authenticity to the piece. This partnership allowed the material’s natural variations and future aging to be treated not as flaws, but as essential qualities that will evolve uniquely for each owner.
Through its honest construction and thoughtful material choices, Wood + Leather invites users to embrace objects that improve over time—pieces that gather stories, develop character, and embody the beauty of lasting design.
Process
The creation of Wood + Leather began with a close study of an existing chair. I recorded its dimensions to understand its proportions and ergonomics, then used that information as a starting point to develop my own design. Initial ideas took shape through sketching, which helped clarify structure, balance, and the overall direction of the piece.
These sketches were followed by full-scale cardboard prototypes. Working at scale allowed me to test angles, refine joinery concepts, and evaluate how the chair would feel in physical space. Once the form was resolved, I moved into building the final piece in wood. The construction used traditional woodworking techniques supported by standard shop power tools, rather than CNC or digital fabrication. This kept the process hands-on while allowing for precision and efficiency.
After the frame was completed, I coordinated with a local leather worker to define the final look and feel of the seat and backrest. We discussed material choices, construction details, and the vision for how the leather would age over time. That collaboration shaped the final expression of the piece and ensured that the leather and wood would complement each other both immediately and as they develop patina.
Through this process, Wood + Leather became a synthesis of thoughtful design, traditional craft, and meaningful collaboration.
Research
Research for this project began with carefully studying the ergonomics of an existing chair.
I used this ULINE chair because the form was simple, plenty of room for restyling, and I was able to study it in person. I could measure every angle and length of the chair to help inform my design decisions.
Every angle and dimension, seat pan, back height, leg length, were all carefully studied and logged before beginning ideation for this project.
ULINE Fabric Sled Base Chair with Arms
Ideation
This step began with making a small-scale model to get a sense of proportion and balance. From there sketching began. I tried to find a balance between staying true to dimension and ergonomics with my own stylistic take on the form. After the final design was decided, I progressed into making a full-scale cardboard model.
Prototype
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Fabrication
Going from planks of Cherry Wood to a final product took plenty of planning and craftsmanship.
I began making the frame with the details that differentiated my design. One pieces were cut to size, I used joinery to bond the wood together and enhance the look.
To mock up the sling seat design, I used a heavy canvas that would later be replaced with leather.
After the frame was completed, I screwed the seat and the back into the sides to make it possible to repair and replace leather if needed.
I coordinated with a local leather worker to create the leather pieces bespoke to this design.
I then sanded and finished the wooden frame so it could be completed when the leather was ready to be attatched.
I was able to see this entire process from beginning to end. Translating the ergonomics, sketching the new design, making prototypes, and fabricating the final piece was all an important part of this project.
Recreation in CAD
Reflection
This project showed me how to design a furniture object from start to finish. Working to create an object that exemplifies patina was an amazing starting point to create this piece. I was able to refine my prototyping, ideation, and CAD skills for this project, while also getting interesting product photography. To see more images of the final design click
HERE