Leatherwall is Luxurious from Ceiling to Floor

If you’ve had the experience of owning a high-grade leather jacket, if you’ve lived with said jacket as a frequent companion, perhaps traveling with it (as your only form of outerwear) in the cramped couchettes of Spain and Italy, watching it develop a fine patina from use, appreciating how the alterations of age only made it more comfortable and better looking… than surely you’ve thought about outfitting an entire room with the stuff (leather, that is). No?

Leatherwall. Designed by Studioart.

Well start thinking about it, because Studioart’s Leatherwall presents the option of this most luxurious of wall coverings–certainly a textural and sculptural reprieve form the bland sameness of dreary old drywall. Not since the very same company presented Omni Leather Tiles back at NeoCon ’09 have I seen walls in bedrooms, bathrooms, and offices decorated with such panache. The new Leatherwall collection improves on the concept with an expanded roster of sizes, shapes, textures, and colors.

In spite of my efforts to discern with some measure of accuracy the sheer quantity of options, I find I’m at a loss. Just looking at the City collection, for instance, “made from carefully selected full-grain cowhides which have been chrome-tanned, aniline-dyed and finished with water-soluble products,” I find no less than 42 different color finishes. Add a tremendous variety of patterns (an impossible number of geometric configurations), and sizes beginning at one square inch, and you begin to have some sense of how Leatherwall could be a nightmare for the decision-impaired (like me).

Leatherwall is Luxurious from Ceiling to Floor

Leatherwall is Luxurious from Ceiling to Floor

Leatherwall is Luxurious from Ceiling to Floor

City is but one among Leatherwall’s dozens of themed styles. For other intriguing looks consider Rodeo–made of long-haired calf and cow skin and featuring “variegated designs with contrasting hues on the hair,” as, for instance, the very cowboy-chic complements of Rosso Marrone (vibrant pink on chestnut) or African Vogue (Bronco Orange on Black). Or if the Wild West isn’t your thing you might try Mushroom–“inspired by natural shapes but also highly innovative in terms of technological content, the leather is cut into ultra-fine films which produce an ever-changing three-dimensional effect. Whenever touched, the leather changes appearance.” This protean incarnation is available in the earthy tones of anthracite, lead, and bronze.

And though this brief summary barely scratches the surface of Leatherwall’s great potential for perfect customization, it should be enough to pique your interest. So what are you waiting for? Take a gander at this 67 page catalog. You’re sure to find something worth far more than a second look.

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