wayfair described this as REAL GENUINE Leather throughout, NOT leather match and certainly not bonded fake leather. so for the price, it is GREAT!  LEather is not supple, but it feels resilient and has a nice  grainy texture.  you dnt need to do anything except screw on the bund legs. I must say that the frame this piece is NOT that well made becuase it is VERY light weight, but for the price, you use it for a while and donate it. It's worth it.