Dye leather?

14 years ago

I am finishing up the construction of our Library/Music Room. Most folks would call it a living room, but we are using it differently. We had floor-to-ceiling bookshelves made, so we have need for steps to reach the top shelves.

We already have a set of three leather-topped stacking stools that we bought from the Levenger's catalog a few years ago, and they work well for this purpose. My problem is that the Library is in vanilla, browns, green, and golds, and the stacking stools are baby blue! Here are two of them, in my old kitchen...

The leather tops are attached with screws, so can be removed. My question is, what is the best way to change the color of the leather? Has anyone done this, and what products have worked?

Secondly, What color dye would you use on these bright blue tops? Here is a picture of the colors in the Library

I would call the green in the rug and the slipcover a grayish green, maybe "spruce."

Here is a link about the project:

Here is a link that might be useful: Click on photos to enlarge

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Comments (4)

deeinohio
14 years ago
I can't see your pictures so I can't see the color or size of your stools. Are they so bright that their color can't be used in throw pillows combined with your other colors?

I've also seen leather on sale on ebay. If your stool tops can be removed easily, I might just replace the leather rather than try to dye it.

BTW, your room is coming along beautifully. (I've seen your photos over in..remodeling?)

Dee
Nancy in Mich
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, Dee. You probably saw my Smaller Homes posts. I am perplexed about the photos not showing, it sure seems arbitrary sometimes!

Imagine a sky blue color, but quite saturated and intense. The thing about the leather on the stools is that it is so nicely stitched - stitching frames the rectangle top and forms the shape of the curve as the leather top goes down to meet the wood. Imagine a picture frame shape, but in leather. Each stool top is made from five pieces of leather stitched together.

I hope there is a way to dye it...
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Nancy Adamopoulos
14 years ago
I haven't dyed leather before but Leather Magic makes products for Dyeing leather. I've used this company's cleaning products before.

They also have authorized servicer list on their website that may lead you to a professional leather restorer that may be able to do the job for you but it may be $$$.

Here is a link that might be useful: Leather Magic
emagineer
14 years ago
Be cautious with analine dye. It makes leather..."not" look like leather. You will need to prepare the leather prior to dying. Also it can come out streaked rather than as original.

Suggest finding a farm supply or someone who works on saddles. They know the right solutions to use. May be difficult depending upon where you live. Or purhaps a shoe repair, if any still exist. Last would be an upholsterer working with leather..home or auto.

Link is a simple explanation. But I would still ask someone with ongoing experience. Your leather sounds worth saving.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dying leather