The Most Personal Decision in Buying an Eames Chair
You've chosen the size. You've chosen the wood. Now comes the decision that will define how your Eames Lounge Chair looks, feels, and ages over the next decade: the leather finish.
Both Italian leather and waxed leather are premium materials — but they are fundamentally different in character, maintenance, and how they evolve over time. This guide will help you choose the finish that suits your lifestyle, your interior, and your relationship with the objects you own.
Italian Leather: Refined, Consistent, Timeless
Italian leather is full-grain leather that has been treated to produce a smooth, uniform surface. It is the more formal of the two finishes — polished, consistent in colour, and resistant to casual marks.
Characteristics
- Surface: Smooth and even, with a subtle sheen
- Colour consistency: Highly uniform — the chair will look the same in ten years as it does on day one
- Feel: Supple and cool to the touch initially, warming quickly with body heat
- Ageing: Develops a gentle softness over time without dramatic visual change
Best For
- Formal living rooms and reception spaces
- Home offices where a professional, polished look is important
- Those who prefer their furniture to maintain a consistent, pristine appearance
- Lighter colourways — cream, ivory, and white read particularly well in Italian leather
Explore our Italian leather Eames chairs: Walnut Wood in Italian Leather, Rosewood in Italian Leather, and Ash Wood in Italian Leather.
Waxed Leather: Character, Patina, Story
Waxed leather is full-grain leather treated with natural waxes that penetrate the hide, enhancing its natural grain and creating a surface that responds to use. It is the more expressive of the two finishes — alive, evolving, and deeply personal.
Characteristics
- Surface: Slightly matte with a subtle texture that reveals the natural grain of the hide
- Colour consistency: Intentionally variable — light marks and creases develop into a rich patina
- Feel: Slightly firmer initially, becoming increasingly supple with use
- Ageing: Develops a distinctive patina over time — marks, creases, and variations in tone become part of the character
Best For
- Those who want a chair that tells a story and improves with age
- Warmer, more eclectic interiors where character is valued over uniformity
- Richer, deeper colourways — vintage tan, burnt orange, and dark tones develop particularly beautiful patinas
- Those who appreciate the craft tradition of leather goods that age like a fine boot or jacket
Explore our waxed leather Eames chairs: Vintage Tan Waxed Leather, Burnt Orange Waxed Leather, and Waxed Green Leather.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Italian Leather | Waxed Leather | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Smooth, uniform | Textured, natural grain |
| Ageing | Consistent, minimal change | Rich patina, character builds |
| Maintenance | Wipe clean, occasional conditioner | Occasional wax treatment to feed the leather |
| Best setting | Formal, professional | Warm, characterful, eclectic |
| Ideal colours | Cream, black, classic tones | Tan, burnt orange, vintage tones |
Maintenance: What Each Finish Needs
Italian leather: Wipe with a slightly damp cloth for everyday cleaning. Apply a leather conditioner every 6–12 months to maintain suppleness. Avoid direct sunlight, which can fade the colour over time.
Waxed leather: Wipe with a dry cloth. Apply a natural leather wax (such as beeswax-based products) every 6–12 months to nourish the hide and maintain the wax layer. Light scratches can often be buffed out with a soft cloth — they become part of the patina.
The Honest Answer
If you want a chair that looks impeccable and consistent for years with minimal effort, choose Italian leather. If you want a chair that becomes more beautiful and personal with every year of use — that develops the kind of character you can't buy, only earn — choose waxed leather.
Both are exceptional. The right choice depends entirely on what you value in the objects you live with.
Browse the Full Collection
Explore all Eames Lounge Chairs & Ottomans at Aura Furnitures, available in both Italian and waxed leather across a range of wood finishes and colourways.
