About

Patina & Grain is the result of a lifelong love of two people: myself and my daughter.

Working with wood brings me joy. I love the smell of oak when it’s cut, the soft-touch texture of sanded wood and the craftsmanship that goes into shaping wood into something beautiful. From an early age, I always cherished items that could tell a story and embodied a spirit. I am not a hoarder but I would never discard anything that could have new life breathed into it with a little bit of love.

Then there is my daughter. I am not sure where her obsession with Japanese culture originated. I suspect Studio Ghibli has a lot to do with it, but whatever it was it cultivated a deep fascination with Japanese culture. To an extent where she studied Japanese at University.

Over time, as her knowledge of Japanese culture grew, so did mine and at some point I discovered the Japanese aesthetic of Wabi Sabi that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and the rustic simplicity of nature. Wabi Sabi embraces the imperfections, which resonated strongly with my joy of seeing "The Patina of Life" in objects. The character that only a family history can etch into a piece.

Patina & Grain is the embodiment of these two loves. The blending of old and new. Creating furniture that has a back story and a future history to reveal. Celebrating imperfection.

Simon Leadbetter

Founder

Each piece begins with a legacy furniture element that carries its own history and weathered soul, which we then fuse with a newly crafted, contemporary component.

Simon Leadbetter

Simon trained as a graphic designer but spent much of his career in the web industry. This meant he spent many hours behind a computer screen and working with wood was an antidote that maintained his sanity. The thing is, Simon discovered he was good at creating unusual pieces of furniture and people started asking for him to make pieces of furniture for them — so he obliged.

Care guide

Most furniture brands tell you how to keep their pieces looking "new." We’d rather help yours grow old. Here is how to care for a piece that is built to embrace life.

Create your story

Forget the coaster

Our finishes are durable, but they aren't meant to be bulletproof. If a glass leaves a faint ring or a plate leaves a mark, don't panic. You aren't "ruining" the table; you're starting its first chapter.

Welcome the dents

The "Patina of Life" happens when wood meets reality. The small marks from a fallen set of keys or a child’s craft project are the textures of a home. Over time, these marks blend together to create a surface that is uniquely yours.

Natural Aging

Like us, wood changes with time. Sunlight will mellow the tones and the grain will deepen. Don't fight the fade — it’s the wood’s way of showing you how much life it has seen.

Simple Maintenance

To keep the timber healthy, a simple wipe with a damp cloth is usually all it needs. For deeper care, a natural wax or oil every few months will nourish the grain without hiding the character it’s earned.

Side project

Can you guess what this became? Nope. Not a snooker cue.

The cross section of chestnut had both a growth crack and a cut mark from a chain saw. Of course, we wanted to these characteristics to feature heavily in the final piece.

View project