Few things match the supple, mellow feel of genuine leather — and the very best thing about patent leather is that it does not even try. That glossy feel and plasticky shine have the unrestrained, indulgent allure of a childhood pair of Mary Janes. And to get a substance that children can’t get enough of, it appears surprisingly sophisticated in your home.
These spaces interpret patent leather in new and surprising ways. Which one inspires you most?
Nicole Lanteri Design
In a different room this set of red patent leather seats may have shouted of drama and glamour. Here they provide only enough sheen to elevate the matte surfaces at the area.
The Vintage Laundry
Red patent goes in a totally different direction. Sleek slipper chairs along with a zebra-print rug make a bold, complex impact.
Tiffany Eastman Interiors
A glistening chocolate chandelier tops this off pink bonbon of a space like a dollop of hot flashes.
Evelyn Benatar, New York Interior Design
A sweet, stylized flower-shaped headboard goes retro chic under a veneer of white patent leather.
Black patent makes a suitably sassy partner for its mirrored walls, overscale sconces and other art deco elements of this room.
Frank Pitman Designs
Patent leather walls? Nailheads? Outrageous. A caveat: You would need perfectly smooth walls to produce this work; with big lumps and bumps, the look would be cluttered.
Jonathan Adler
Orange Leather and Linen Pillow – $148
Timid about going full-on shiny? Start small. This neutral pillow (linen on one side, leather onto the other) is trimmed in blazing orange patent for a quick hit of colour and gloss.
Horchow
Mirrored Bench – $1,199
A rust-brown patent leather chair makes this mirrored seat worthy of a Hollywood Regency inside.
lavishbymattandjon.com
Pop Louis Side Chairs – $395
What is more fun than a Louis-style seat clad in patent leather? A dab of neon colour in the mix.
Patent Pendant Lamp – $650
How swank is this pendant light? That small glimpse of harlequin pattern lining the inside is simply too much.
Nordstrom
Ted Baker London Ted Letter Quilted Notebook Case – $90
If a plain black notebook bag dulls down your style, perhaps this pink patent variant will do just fine.