Full Restoration of a Premium Baxter Leather Chair
Professional Leather Restoration by Leather Restore Pro
We’ve already shared the story of a long-suffering premium Baxter leather ottoman. After giving that Italian captive a second life, we were asked to restore a leather armchair from the same Baxter collection.
If the ottoman was a warm-up, this chair was the real challenge.
⚠️ Not for the faint-hearted.
Background: When Premium Leather Meets Harsh Conditions
This Baxter leather chair, crafted from high-quality Italian leather, once retailed for approximately $4,000+ USD. Unfortunately, luxury furniture doesn’t survive neglect.
For nearly three years, the chair and ottoman were stored in an unheated garage:
- Spring & fall: constant moisture absorption
- Winter: freezing temperatures causing cracking
- Summer: extreme heat inside a metal garage
The result?
Severe leather deformation, mold growth, moisture trapped deep inside the foam, and structural damage across the entire surface.
This wasn’t cosmetic leather repair — it was full leather furniture restoration.
Step 1: Complete Disassembly & Deep Drying
At Leather Restore Pro, every serious leather restoration starts with diagnostics.
The leather looked dry on the outside, but inside the foam and leather fibers there was significant retained moisture. The chair was fully disassembled and carefully dried to prevent further leather rot and mold spread.
At this stage, even our master technician joked:
“If this thing burns… maybe we should just burn it.”
But as we say in restoration:
“Hands do the work, even when eyes are afraid.”
Step 2: Mold Removal & Deep Leather Cleaning
Mold had formed between leather panels and inside seams. We performed:
- Multi-stage chemical leather cleaning
- Deep extraction of organic contamination
- Anti-fungal leather treatment
- Repeated application of leather softeners to preserve elasticity
Between each cleaning stage, the leather was conditioned to prevent it from becoming stiff or brittle.
Step 3: Internal Cushion & Structure Restoration
We performed a thermal deep cleaning of the internal cushion using:
- pH-neutral leather-safe detergents
- Hot steam extraction
The damaged foam filling was replaced, and the leather upholstery was reshaped and re-stitched to restore proper anatomy and eliminate surface waves.
The inner cushion cover was fully re-sewn, and the original Baxter – Made in Italy label was carefully transferred to preserve authenticity.
Step 4: Leather Repair, Crack Restoration & Conditioning
All areas affected by mold and cracking were:
- Professionally sanded
- Repaired with flexible leather fillers and elastic sealants
- Reinforced to bond with the leather fiber structure
To restore softness and “tactile nobility,” the leather was treated four times with hydrolanolin-based conditioning compounds, rebuilding elasticity lost from temperature and humidity damage.
Step 5: Leather Recoloring & Protection
On day eight, the chair underwent professional leather recoloring:
- Two layers of high-quality polyurethane leather paint
- Final protection with natural carnauba wax
This seals the surface, protects the color, and enhances durability.
Final Result: Like a Surgical Operation
Freshly restored leather may appear slightly glossy or tight at first:
- The initial shine comes from carnauba wax and softens within hours
- The leather relaxes naturally after regular use
- Dust settles, wax absorbs, and the finish becomes natural and balanced
Leather restoration is like surgery — results stabilize after a short recovery period.
And then?
The chair is ready for a second (or third) life.
Why Choose Leather Restore Pro?
At Leather Restore Pro, we specialize in:
- Premium leather furniture restoration
- Leather chair repair & recoloring
- Mold removal from leather furniture
- Italian leather restoration (Baxter, Natuzzi, Poltrona Frau & more)
- Structural cushion and foam restoration
We don’t mask damage — we rebuild leather from the inside out.
📍 Serving New York & surrounding areas
📞 Contact Leather Restore Pro for professional leather restoration
