It’s the small details that wind up making your home more comfortable or your day a bit brighter. The fresh flowers in the living room or a perfectly made cup of coffee make all the difference at home. Whether you’re the type to journal in the morning or are simply having trouble writing at your computer as of late, writing in a leather journal is one of those small luxuries, akin to bringing home particularly beautiful ceramic or unwinding with a record and a well-made cocktail.
These leather journals are made by some of the world’s best leather purveyors and luxury designers, from Montblanc and Shinola to Smythson of Bond Street. Here, our favorite leather journals for getting your thoughts in order and finding that soothingly meditative state of writing freely:
Montblanc Fine Stationery Sketchbook #149
Montblanc recently launched a beautiful line of fine stationery, which they say "represents both Montblanc’s signature and tradition for excellence as well as a contemporary spirit." Their Sketchbook #149 comes blank or lined; We love the deep indigo color, not to mention the feel of the lovely Saffino leather covering.
To buy: $100, Montblanc
Observer Leather Journal
The Observer journal is inspired by the 19th century "envelope-style cut." With a beautiful wraparound tie closure and hand-cut, luxurious paper, this journal is for the adventurous writer, whether they're traveling or curled up at home.
To buy: $60, Rustico
Italian Leather Wrap Journal With Handmade Amalfi Pages
This journal will make you feel as though you're writing in an Italian pied-à-terre. With the thick Amalfi pages hand-stitched into this Espresso-colored journal. The leather journal wraps with a lovely tie and can be monogrammed for an additional fee.
To buy: $155, Epica
Santa Fe Leather Wrap Journal
Jenni Bick makes custom leather journals that are just waiting for a poised fountain pen. The Sante Fe journal features a wraparound tie, ivory lined pages, and a turquoise clasp. The Smythe sewn journal comes in black or brown, and the brand encourages customers to let them make the creative choices for you to produce an one-of-a-kind notebook.
To buy: $40, Jenni Bick
Medium Journal/iPad Mini Cover
Shinola's leather goods are beautifully designed and offer the brand-expected minimal but modern aesthetic. This leather journal cover fits an iPad Mini as well as Shinola's Medium Journal. The value of opting for this journal cover, which comes in blush or marmalade, is of course that it's reusable, such that all your notebooks may have leather journal gravitas.
To buy: $185, Shinola
SoHo Notebook
This gorgeous, English-made notebook comes in five modern colors and is done up with Smythson of Bond Street's Ludlow grained leather. Brimming with their "gilt-edged Featherweight paper," this notebook guarantees to elevate any writing experience.
To buy: $285, Smythson of Bond Street
Onyx Black Leather Hand-Stitched Journal
Italian leather retailer Borlino sells journals made with vegetable-tanned leather sourced from Florence. With 120 pages stitched into the notebook by hand, the 8.5" x 5.5" leather journal makes for a beautiful gift.
To buy: $42, Borlino
Large Notebook
Available in six shades—from a deep Bordeaux red to full-grain Cognac—Leatherology's large notebook is 8.5" x 11" with wide-ruled lined pages. The notebook is refillable and the full-grain leather is part of the brand's Timeless collection, which features "finely grained texture and buttery soft hand feel" and "classic colors that never go out of style."
To buy: $115, Leatherology
Toscana Journal
The Toscana Journal by Cavallini & Co. is a tasteful mahogany-colored leather. With lined pages and a "flap and tie closure," it makes for a perfect travel journal—though also does the trick for home journaling.
To buy: $32, Paper Source
Switchback Leather Notebook
Rustico's Switchback journal also has slots that allow the user to refill the leather case with new notebooks once they've filled the pages of the original journal. Made from "top-grain" leather with a tasteful clasp, buyers can choose to buy this leather journal hand-stitched or machine sewn.
To buy: $55, Rustico
