# Hand-Tooled Leather Seats Handmade Furniture from Ernie Apodaca's Northwest Native By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-01-25 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/northwest-native-designs References: [cactuscreekdaily](http://cactuscreekdaily.com/love-it/las-vegas-cowboy-christmas-ernie-apodaca-northwest-native-designs) & [northwestnative](http://www.northwestnative.com/) Ernie Apodaca is a Native American craftsman who makes [upholstered furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upholstered-furniture1). He works with leather and makes the [alder wood furniture frames](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wellsbuilt) to order for each piece. In addition to leather, he uses loom-state chenille, Italian suede, and [ethnic woven fabrics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woven-chair-designs) in his creations. Hand-tooled leather, wood carvings and hand-painted westerns scenes or Native American designs are the signature touches that Apodaca adds to his work. The Seattle-based artisan is Blackfeet Indian originally from Browning, Montana. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 42% | Activity: 33% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Handcrafted Furniture:** Ernie Apodaca's hand-made leather furniture can inspire a trend for customized furniture. - **Ethnic Fabrics:** Apodaca's usage of ethnic woven fabrics can influence a trend of integrating culture in interior design. - **Customization:** The custom-made aspect of Apodaca's furniture can lead to a trend in personalized furniture design. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Furniture Manufacturing:** Ernie Apodaca's hand-made furniture can introduce an innovative customization aspect to the furniture manufacturing industry. - **Interior Design:** Apodaca's use of various fabrics and textures can affect the interior design industry by promoting diversity and inclusivity in décor. - **Craftsmanship:** Apodaca's unique cultural touch and hand-crafted designs can inspire the craftsmanship industry to be more innovative and diverse. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Horsehair Fabric Furniture Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/akar.md) - [Mountain Atelope-Inspired Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jomo-tariku.md) - [Techno Leather Furniture Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rudi.md) - [Culturally Significant Wooden Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woodcarving-heritage.md) - [Italian Luxury-Leather Motorbike Seats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xdiavel-nera.md) - [Mid-Century Modern Furnishings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/last-ditch.md) - [High-End Hospitality Interiors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/norcross-furniture.md) - [Denim-Adorned Furniture Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/denim-furniture1.md) - [Kazakhstan-Informed Saddles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/horse-saddle-design.md)