Leather Handle Colors on Different Material Backgrounds (Lots of Project Photos!)

In this post, we’ll explain the differences between our four leather colors and share lots of customer project photos showcasing our leather pulls in all colors against project backgrounds of all colors (cabinets, drawers, furniture, and more) — organized by color: Black, Rich Blues/Greens, Dark Wood, Medium Wood, Blonde Wood, Gray, White — plus a bonus section on Brick and Rust accent walls.

About Our Four Leather Colors

The leather we use for our handles comes to us as Natural vegetable-tanned leather, and we hand-rub old-fashioned oil dyes into the surface to make the colors of Honey, Dark Brown, and Black. These colors represent a nice spectrum of natural tones, and contrast with each other.

Learn more about the differences between our leather colors in our post: About Our Four Leather Colors. This photo of all four colors taken together outdoors in natural sunlight is the most true representation we have of the colors as they actually look in person:

Four leather colors labeled: natural honey dark brown black
Our four leather colors: Natural, Honey, Dark Brown, Black

Leather is a natural material, and each hide’s base color can vary just a little, and this can affect the final color. That natural color variation is what makes our leather so beautiful: just like natural wood grain, each piece is unique.

We sell leather samples / color swatches so customers can see them in person themselves before they buy. These swatches are up-cycled pieces from our Bicycle Barrel Bags, and can be used as a beautiful drink coaster.

Customer Project Photos: Leather Handles on Different Color Backgrounds

Leather Handles on Black and Black-Brown Cabinets

Commentary: Honey is one of the most popular leather color choices with black cabinetry, but as you can see, every leather color looks good with black. The choice of contrast or blending is up to the overall project’s theme or customer’s preference.

Black-Brown IKEA Sideboard Furniture with Honey Leather Handles
Black-Brown IKEA Sideboard Furniture with Honey Leather Handles
Bathroom Sink Cabinet Black Cabinetry with Dark Brown Leather Tilikum Handles
Bathroom Sink Cabinet Black Cabinetry with Dark Brown Leather Tilikum Handles and Wood and Blue Accents
Black Walk-in Closet Cabinets with Black Leather and White Oak Sellwood Handles
Black Walk-in Closet Cabinets with Black Leather and White Oak Sellwood Handles
Dark Black Wardrobe with Honey Leather Hawthorne Handles @housetweaking
Dark Black Wardrobe with Honey Leather Hawthorne Handles @housetweaking
Black Stainless Steel Chef's Kitchen with Honey Leather and Wood Sellwood Handles
Black Stainless Steel Chef’s Kitchen with Honey Leather and Wood Sellwood Handles
Crestwood Construction Black Floating Storage Cabinet with Natural Hawthorne Leather Handles
Basement Black Floating Storage Cabinet with Natural Hawthorne Leather Handles
Real Simple Magazine Road Haus Handcrafted Mobile Home with Dark Kitchen Cabinets and Honey Leather Hawthorne Wide Handles
Road Haus Handcrafted Mobile Home with Dark Kitchen Cabinets and Honey Leather Hawthorne Wide Handles
@suzannemariuccidesign guitar wet bar room with sellwood and fremont honey handles
Black-Brown Basement Dry Bar and Music Corner with Honey Sellwood and Fremont Leather and Wood Handles
Black-Brown Furniture Buffet with Natural Tilikum Leather Handles
Black-Brown Furniture Buffet with Natural Tilikum Leather Handles

Leather Handles on Dark, Rich Colors (Green / Blue / Navy)

Commentary: Honey looks stunning with greens and blues, as it’s on the opposite side of the color wheel, but it’s so stunning, that it can steal the show. Dark Brown and greens are handsome. Natural provides the greatest color contrast, while Black can be strong but subtle.

Green Bunkbeds with Dark Brown leather and wood Tilikum and Sellwood handles
Customer Kitchen Remodel Blue Cabinetry with Honey Leather Handles
Kitchen Remodel Deep Blue Cabinetry with Honey Leather Handles
Kelly Green AirBnB Kitchen with Natural Tilikum Leather Handles
Kelly Green AirBnB Kitchen with Natural Tilikum Leather Handles
Marine Blue Chest of Drawers with Black Tilikum Leather Handles
Marine Blue Chest of Drawers with Black Tilikum Leather Handles
Navy Blue Kitchen Island with Honey Leather Handles
Navy Blue Kitchen Island with Honey Leather Handles
Deep Gray Blue Laundry Room Cabinets with Honey Leather Lovejoy Handles
Deep Gray Blue Laundry Room Cabinets with Honey Leather Lovejoy Handles

Leather Handles on Dark Wood Cabinets

Commentary: Black is classy and classic, and keeps the attention on the wood grain. But our brown tones, Honey and Dark Brown, can really punctuate the warmth and coziness, carrying the natural material palette seamlessly and thematically. But it is important for the tones to be a good match, so it is very dependent on the wood color/stain.  

Dark Wood Bar Back with Black Leather Hawthorne Handles
Walnut Wood Cabinetry with Honey Morrison Leather Handles
Walnut Wood Cabinetry with Honey Morrison Leather Handles
Hawthorne wide outdoors Christmas wreath sq
Green Stained Wood Dutch Door on Oiled Wood Outbuilding with Dark Brown Hawthorne Wide Leather Handles
@barnsteadinnvt Distressed Barn Wood Furniture with Burnside Large Black Leather Hinged Handles
Distressed Barn Wood Furniture with Burnside Large Black Leather Hinged Handles
Dark Wood TV Cabinet with Dark Brown Hawthorne Small Leather Handles
Dark Wood TV Cabinet with Dark Brown Hawthorne Small Leather Handles
Distressed Wood Bathroom Cabinet with Burnside Small Honey Leather Hinged Handles
Distressed Wood Bathroom Cabinet with Burnside Small Honey Leather Hinged Handles
Dark Brown Tilikum Leather Handles on Dark Walnut Wood Custom Furniture
Dark Brown Tilikum Leather Handles on Dark Walnut Wood Custom Furniture
Striped Tiger Wood Nightstand with Dark Brown Tilikum Leather Handles
Striped Tiger Wood Nightstand with Dark Brown Tilikum Leather Handles
Black Hawthorne Leather Handle Installed Flat on Wood Office Cubicle Desk
Black Hawthorne Leather Handle Installed Flat on Wood Office Cubicle Desk
Dark Wood Bench Seat with Black Leather Hawthorne Small Handles and Yellow Accents
Dark Wood Bench Seat with Black Leather Hawthorne Small Handles and Yellow Accents

Leather Handles on Medium / Warm Wood Colors

Commentary: The most popular leather handle color for medium wood cabinetry, like oak or beech, is Dark Brown. It makes sense: a classic wood color meets a classic leather color. Honey can actually blend in to medium wood pretty well for a more subtle approach.

Woodworking Table with Dark Brown Tilikum Leather Handles
Light Wood Side Table with Dark Brown Tilikum Leather Handles
90s Contractor Special Oak Wood Cabinet with Dark Brown Leather Handles
Oak Wood Cabinet with Dark Brown Leather Handles
Warm Wood Entry Hall Drawers with Honey Tilikum Leather Handles
Warm Wood Entry Hall Drawers with Honey Tilikum Leather Handles
Medium Wood Cabinetry with Honey Burnside Large Leather Handles
Medium Wood Cabinetry with Honey Burnside Large Leather Handles
Hand-built Wood Media Center with Dark Brown Hawthorne and Tilikum Leather Handles
Hand-built Wood Media Center with Dark Brown Hawthorne and Tilikum Leather Handles
Knotty Wood Bookshelf with Dark Brown Hawthorne Small Leather Handle
Knotty Wood Bookshelf with Dark Brown Hawthorne Small Leather Handle
New Mexico Retreat House with Light Wood Cabinetry and Dark Brown Leather Handles
New Mexico Retreat House with Light Wood Cabinetry and Dark Brown Leather Handles

Leather Handles on Blonde / Light Wood Colors

Commentary: blonde or light-colored woods vary widely in undertone and finish. Some are a bit gray, some are a bit blue, and some are just on the very light side of warm. And then there’s plywood! Our customers have chosen Honey, Dark Brown, and Black for their light wood cabinetry in equal numbers. The exact tone of light wood is critical to finding the right color match, but as always, you can never go wrong with Black leather.

Scandinavian Birch Bathroom Cabinet with Black Leather White Oak Sellwood Handles
Airstream Renovation with Light Wood and Cane Cabinetry and Burnside Small Honey Brass Leather Handles
Airstream Renovation with Light Wood and Cane Cabinetry and Burnside Small Honey Brass Leather Handles
Mountain Cabin Kitchen with Verdigris Blue Light Gray Wood and Honey Tilikum Large Leather Handles
Mountain Cabin Kitchen with Verdigris Blue Light Gray Wood and Honey Tilikum Large Leather Handles
Fremont Honey on Light Birch Wood Midcentury Modern Desk @don.pai
Fremont Honey on Light Birch Wood Midcentury Modern Desk @don.pai
Dark Brown Morrison leather handles on Bleached Wood Cabinetry @interiorsbymb
Dark Brown Morrison leather handles on Bleached Wood Cabinetry @interiorsbymb
Blonde Wood and Black Contrast Walk-in Closet Cabinets with Custom Black Painted Leather and Oak Sellwood Handles
Blonde Wood and Black Contrast Walk-in Closet Cabinets with Custom Black Painted Leather and Oak Sellwood Handles
Plywood Interior with Black Leather Handles
Plywood Interior with Black Leather Hawthorne Wide Handle and Black Accents
3 Leather Colors (Honey, Dark Brown, Black) Hawthorne Small Leather Handles on Knotty Pine IKEA Dresser
3 Leather Colors (Honey, Dark Brown, Black) Hawthorne Small Leather Handles on Knotty Pine IKEA Dresser

Leather Handles on Gray Cabinetry

Commentary: Gray cabinetry has been rising in popularity, and Honey is the most common color our customers have chosen for this background. Honey is the warmest color, and its contrast against what could be a cool and even industrial color makes a striking contrast. However, as our customers have shown, Black leather with gray cabinetry adds a historic black-and-white photo look, and Natural leather looks serene and clean when paired with very light gray cabinetry.

Colorado Chalet Kitchen Gray Cabinetry with Black Leather Handles and Honey Leather Bar Stools
Colorado Chalet Kitchen Gray Cabinetry with Black Leather Handles and Honey Leather Bar Stools
Customer Laundry Room Remodel Gray Cabinetry with Honey Burnside Leather Hinged Handles
Customer Laundry Room Remodel Gray Cabinetry with Honey Burnside Leather Hinged Handles
Gray Driftwood Effect Bathroom Cabinet with Tilikum Large Honey Leather Handles
Gray Driftwood Effect Bathroom Cabinet with Tilikum Large Honey Leather Handles
Gray and Gold Study with Natural Leather Hawthorne and Morrison Handles
Gray and Gold Study with Natural Leather Hawthorne and Morrison Handles
Hawthorne Small Honey Nickel on Medium Gray lockers @focus_builders
Hawthorne Small Honey Nickel on Medium Gray lockers @focus_builders
Hawthorne Small Natural Leather Handles on Light Gray Cabinetry
Hawthorne Small Natural Leather Handles on Light Gray Cabinetry

Leather Handles on White and Off-White Cabinetry

Commentary: Much like Black, all leather colors stand out and look beautiful on white backgrounds!

White with Natural Sellwood Handles
White Bunkbeds with Dark Brown Leather Tilikum Handles
White Rec Room with Black leather Tilikum and Hawthorne Small handles
White and Gray Kids Room with Honey Leather Hawthorne Small Handles
Honey Hawthorne Wide Handles on Off-White Bookshelf Storage @ashlynathome
Honey Hawthorne Wide Handles on Off-White Bookshelf Storage @ashlynathome
Mudroom Makeover with White Cabinetry and Hawthorne Honey Small Leather Handle
Mudroom Makeover with White Cabinetry and Hawthorne Honey Small Leather Handle
Off-White Kitchen Cabinetry with Dark Brown Lovejoy Leather Handles
Off-White Kitchen Cabinetry with Dark Brown Lovejoy Leather Handles
White IKEA Hack Dresser with Black Knobs and Natural Leather Hawthorne Wide Handles RealSimple Magazine
White IKEA Hack Dresser with Black Knobs and Natural Leather Hawthorne Wide Handles RealSimple Magazine
White Nursery Cabinets with Honey Hawthorne Leather Pulls
Sellwood Black Handles on White Laundry Room @amandamarieinterior
Sellwood Black Handles on White Laundry Room @amandamarieinterior
Off White Breakfast Nook with Honey Leather Handles
Off White Breakfast Nook with Honey Leather Handles and Blue and Orange Accents
3 Leather Colors (Honey, Dark Brown, Black) Morrison Leather Handles on Off-White IKEA HEMNES Dresser
3 Leather Colors (Honey, Dark Brown, Black) Morrison Leather Handles on Off-White IKEA HEMNES Dresser

Bonus: Brick and Rust Accents

Commentary: Although none of these handles are actually attached to brick or rust walls, the presence of their colors can heavily influence the leather color (and vice versa). Most customers choose Honey or Natural when working with these beautiful tones.

Sellwood Large Natural on Black Cabinet in Brick Kitchen @caryray
Sellwood Large Natural on Black Cabinet in Brick Kitchen @caryray
Honey Tilikum Leather Handles on Black Kitchen Cabinetry Next to Brick
Honey Tilikum Leather Handles on Black Kitchen Cabinetry Next to Brick
Honey Leather Tilikum Handle Installed on Vintage Truck Door with Rust and Aqua Blue and White
Honey Leather Tilikum Handle Installed on Vintage Truck Door with Rust and Aqua Blue and White
Honey Leather on Black Kitchen Cabinets with Red Brick Wall
Honey Leather on Black Kitchen Cabinets with Red Brick Wall

Free Photo Search Service

If you have mock-ups of your interiors to send and want our advice, or if we can dig through our photo archives to find certain color combinations, please let us know. We’re happy to help. 

Contact Us

About the Walnut Studiolo Leather Drawer Pull Collection:

  • Architectural Beauty: Original designs by former Architecture Principal Geoffrey Franklin, Walnut Studiolo’s collection of leather drawer pulls combines minimalist modern design with old-fashioned natural materials. 
  • Sustainable American Story: Behind their good looks, there’s a great story. Handcrafted in small batches in the USA from oak-tanned leather and oil dyes, our low-impact environmental values shine through. 
  • High Quality, Durable Materials: Our unique hand-dyed American leather gets better with age, offering a warm and comfortable touch with strong, long-lasting durability.
  • Award-Winning Designs: Chosen by discerning designers for projects big and small, from home IKEA hacks and vintage Airstream remodels to mountain chalets and executive mansions. Honored at the “Best of Portland” awards and editorially featured in Real Simple, House Beautiful, and Interior Design magazines. 

About Walnut Studiolo

Walnut Studiolo crafts original modern designs by hand in our Oregon workshop using only natural materials. We are a family-run company located on the North Oregon Coast. Learn more about us on our website: https://walnutstudiolo.com

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