Last year the renown Juanita Cafe underwent a major remodel. The updated space was designed by Heliotrope Architects and built by Krekow Jennings, who asked me to make a custom leather wrap for the entrance door. Of course I jumped at the chance to craft a piece that, while a very small contribution, would be the first haptic interaction every guest would have with the restaurant.

I used waterproof six-ounce Horween Chromexcel leather, tanned in Chicago. Chromexcel is produced using a bark retannage from a proprietary recipe over 100 years old, and then hot stuffed with Horween's secret blend of natural oils and greases. The door handle wrap was stitched with waxed linen thread, and hand rubbed for a finish that will develop a beautiful patina with time.

It was an honor to be one of hundreds of craftsmen who built out the new Cafe Jaunita. For more pictures of the beautiful project, check out Heliotrope's portfolio.