Seal Fur Home Decor

Seal fur and leather are finding new, gorgeous uses in homes and businesses of all sizes, across Canada and beyond. Sealskin is incredibly versatile, suited for a range of accent pieces and larger décor items and furnishings.

The striking natural colour variations and patterns in seal fur add interest and elegance to any room; the colour range of dyed seal pelts — from black to brown to red to teal — offer the flexibility to complement any colour scheme.

Durable seal skin is a perfect textile for seat covers, and is seen in high-traffic offices, dining rooms, living rooms, and even on boats. Sealskin covered benches, stools, and ottomans are also eye-catching and practical. Pillows, headboards, bed frames, carpets, throws, and wall-hangings are other popular home uses for seal textiles.

Colour isn’t the only choice you’ll have when selecting the perfect pelt. The age of the seal is also important to consider. “Beater” pelts come from younger seals and are, not surprisingly, softer and more supple. They also have different patterning than adult seal pelts. Beater pelts are ideal for throws, cushions or other uses when a more delicate textile is desired.

Adult seals have thicker, sturdier, larger pelts. These are more suitable for furniture covering and carpets due to their ruggedness. Older seals may have also engaged in seal fights during their lifetimes; many adult pelts have scratch marks from claws. These features do not detract from the overall pelt but add interest and a hint of “bad ass”—of course, you can select the perfect pelt for your requirements.

Sealskin has long tradition of being used for shelter, home items, and more. That doesn’t mean it’s always easy to work with — quite the opposite, in fact. Danny Swearinger runs Labrador Upholstery in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. As an American, he had not encountered seal textiles until he moved to Labrador, his wife’s home. She convinced the experienced upholsterer to give seal a try.

“It’s so stretchy, and sometimes when you’re sewing it, the backing sticks to the sewing machine table,” Swearinger told CBC news. “It was a whole other experience to learn, but it’s getting easier.”

Swearinger says the work is worth it: the finished products are attractive, and attracting attention. He’s filled orders for custom barstools, corporate office décor, home furnishings, and hotel cushions. “It’s beautiful,” he told CBC. “[My customers] love it … it’s a really classy look.”