Lucía Landa is passionate about revitalizing vintage furniture, whether it’s a desk she discovered on the street or a cherished antique armchair from a client. She has been collecting and reupholstering furniture for years as a hobby, and in 2020, she established a custom upholstery and restoration business named Lucía Landa Design, based in Ferguson.
Landa and her team can transform a leather item into fabric upholstery, or the other way around. She emphasizes that the critical factors are the material’s weight and the upholsterer’s expertise.
“Upholstery is a versatile craft. You can use nearly any material, provided it has the requisite thickness,” she explains. “Understanding your material is crucial.”
However, Landa warns that not every upholsterer has the right skills to work with leather. Selecting the appropriate type of leather and knowing how to cut and stretch it properly is essential. “Leather must be stretched tightly; otherwise, it begins to loosen with body heat,” she elaborates. “If not executed correctly, wrinkles can appear, and the leather may be damaged. If you ruin the leather, you will have to replace it.”
Because leather requires a tighter stretch than most fabrics, the upholsterer must also consider the amount of padding needed to achieve the desired result. Clients should be aware that switching materials—from fabric to leather, for instance—can alter the overall sensation of a chair or other furnishings.
Originally from Mexico City, Landa is celebrated for her innovative use of materials. Her own curated furniture line showcases her style, often featuring striking Otomi hand-embroidery paired with complementary fabrics or leather, creating a fusion of femininity and masculinity, as well as natural and artificial elements.
Even in custom projects, Landa frequently encourages clients to incorporate a meaningful fabric, such as embroidery crafted by a grandmother or patterns connected to family heritage, alongside a more durable leather or robust fabric. The back of a chair, generally less prone to wear than the seat, serves as an excellent place for these sentimental fabrics.
“In Mexico, we grew up with the belief that you don’t just throw things away,” Landa reflects. “Instead, you replace what needs changing. But often, the original fabric is no longer available, which is why mixing fabrics is such a common practice.”
