The other idea is to make a feature of the wood like this
Scandi kith 5 by Alf Branch, on Flickr
Though I would say mine could have been better if I had sepped the wood so the leather was flush with the wood.
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4027/4529346210_2aa79f55ec_z.jpg)
Though I would say mine could have been better if I had sepped the wood so the leather was flush with the wood.