CURATED MATERIALS
Natural materials as a starting point for design. Individually selected genuine sheepskins, chosen for their natural structure, nuanced tones and distinctive material character.
Sheepskins as a Design Material
BääBää works with designers, architects and interior professionals as a trusted material partner. We offer carefully selected natural materials, project-specific support and bespoke solutions - helping bring a material idea from the first concept through to the finished space.
Our sheepskins are suited to upholstery, interior textiles and bespoke applications where natural texture, character and materiality are an integral part of the design.
From Material to Realisation
BääBää Atelier brings natural materials into considered design - from material selection and development to bespoke making and production. We work closely with designers and makers to understand how each material needs to perform, then shape the material, craftsmanship and execution around the final application.
BÄÄBÄÄ ATELIER
From natural material to considered design. Bespoke applications developed around the character of each hide - from one-off upholstery and furniture to custom wall installations and distinctive interior pieces.
COLLABORATION
A material partner throughout the design process. From material selection to final execution, with solutions tailored to the needs of each project.
BääBää Partners
BääBää Partners is our professional programme for designers, architects, brands and businesses working with natural materials. We offer carefully selected materials, project-specific expertise and bespoke solutions, developed around the character of each material and the requirements of the project.
From material selection and bespoke development to final delivery, we work closely with our partners to create considered solutions for distinctive interiors, furniture and design projects.
About Our Materials
BääBää Sheepskins as a Design Material
Sheepskin as a Material
Sheepskins as a Design Material
- Genuine sheepskin is a natural material with depth and character. Its surface, nuanced tones and natural structure bring texture and individuality to a design.
- A tactile material made to last. The combination of soft wool and supple hide creates a material that feels distinctive to the touch while remaining suited to considered everyday use.
- Suitable for both private and public interiors. BääBää® sheepskins can be used across residential spaces, hospitality, commercial interiors and bespoke design projects.
- Selected with the finished application in mind. We pay particular attention to the flexibility of the hide, the softness and density of the wool, and how these qualities work together in the final design.
Considerations for Design
Sheepskins in Upholstery and Product Design
- Plan around the material. The natural shape and dimensions of each sheepskin should be considered from the outset when defining material requirements and developing the design.
- Consider the direction of the wool. The natural fall and direction of the wool influence how the finished piece looks and feels. Positioning the hides thoughtfully creates a more coherent result.
- Work with the natural form. The organic outline of a sheepskin can become part of the design itself, or the hide can be precisely cut to suit a specific shape, detail or construction.
- Curate multiple hides as a whole. When a project requires several sheepskins, we select them as a considered group, balancing tone, texture, wool structure and overall character while retaining natural variation.
- Select the material for its application. Breed, wool length, density, texture, tanning and finishing all influence how a sheepskin performs and develops over time. The right material should be selected in relation to both the design and its intended use.
- Work with us from the beginning. We can help assess material requirements, recommend suitable sheepskins and develop the material selection around the specific needs of the project.
Sheepskin Shape and Size
Genuine Sheepskin - A Form Shaped by Nature
- Every BääBää sheepskin has its own natural form. Each hide is individual, with its own proportions, contours and character. Our sheepskins are available across a range of size categories to suit different applications.
- Natural variation is part of the design. The dimensions provided are indicative, as the organic form of each hide means that length, width and proportions will naturally vary. Rather than being uniform, each sheepskin retains the character of the material from which it comes.
How We Measure Our Sheepskins
How We Measure Our Sheepskins
- Length. Measured from the highest point of the hide to the opposite edge, including the wool.
- Width. Measured at the widest point across the centre of the hide, including the wool.
Wool Types
Different Wool Types in Sheepskin
The length, density and structure of the wool have a significant influence on how a sheepskin looks, feels and works within an interior. From flowing long wool to dense short wool, each type creates its own tactile expression and is suited to different applications.
Long-Wool Sheepskin
Long wool creates a generous, expressive surface with natural movement and depth. The longer fibres respond subtly to light and touch, giving the material a distinctive presence.
Characteristics:
- Wool length approximately 12–18 cm
- Light, airy and generous structure
- Soft, flowing and richly textured surface
Applications:
- Draped over sofas, armchairs and benches
- As a rug or layered interior element
- At the foot or over the surface of a bed
- As a distinctive material for furniture and bespoke design pieces
Curly-Wool Sheepskin
Curly wool creates a naturally three-dimensional surface with depth, texture and a distinctive tactile character. The curl structure varies naturally according to breed and finishing.
Characteristics:
- Wool length approximately 4–18 cm, depending on the individual sheepskin
- Naturally formed curls and varied wool structure
- Richly textured and visually distinctive surface
Applications:
- As a tactile detail on benches, sofas and armchairs
- For upholstery and bespoke furniture
- As a distinctive material within interior and design projects
Medium-Wool Sheepskin
Medium-length wool brings together the softness and movement of longer wool with a more defined surface structure. It offers a balanced material expression that works naturally across a range of interiors.
Characteristics:
- Wool length approximately 4–10 cm
- Soft, airy and naturally textured surface
- Balanced structure between long and short wool
Applications:
- On benches, sofas and armchairs
- As a rug or soft interior layer
- For furniture and design projects where texture and comfort are both important
Short-Wool Sheepskin
Short wool creates a more defined and understated surface. Its dense structure gives the material a soft, refined feel while allowing the natural character of the sheepskin to remain visible.
Characteristics:
- Wool length approximately 3–4 cm
- Dense and compact wool structure
- Soft, restrained and velvety texture
Applications:
- As a seat covering for chairs, sofas and benches
- As a rug or soft interior layer
- For furniture and design applications calling for a clean, considered material expression
BääBää Sheepskin Varieties
BääBää Sheepskin Varieties
BääBää sheepskins come from a range of Nordic and European breeds, each with its own wool structure, texture and natural expression. Breed, wool type and natural pigmentation all influence how an individual hide looks and feels.
Icelandic Sheepskin
Icelandic sheepskin is recognised for its long, airy wool, where softer underwool combines with longer outer fibres. This naturally layered structure creates a light, tactile surface with volume and movement.
BääBää Icelandic sheepskins are available with both straight and naturally curly wool, offering distinct expressions within the same breed.
Gotland Sheepskin
Gotland sheepskin is recognised for its naturally curly wool, subtle lustre and distinctive texture. The wool has an elastic, silky structure, with soft curls that create depth across the surface.
Its combination of curl, softness and natural lustre makes Gotland sheepskin particularly suited to interiors, upholstery and considered design applications.
Leicester Longwool Sheepskin
Leicester Longwool is known for its long, flowing wool and naturally formed curls. The generous fibres create an airy, expressive surface with movement and volume.
The wool is typically naturally light in tone, ranging from soft white to warm cream.
Natural White Sheepskin
Our natural white sheepskins come from selected Nordic and European breeds with naturally white wool. The collection includes several wool types, from short and dense to longer and more textured surfaces.
Natural white sheepskin offers a versatile material expression for interiors, furniture and design, bringing softness and natural texture without introducing strong colour.
Natural Brown Sheepskin
Our natural brown sheepskins come from Nordic and European breeds with naturally pigmented wool. Their tones range from lighter warm browns through to deep, almost black-brown shades.
The combination of nuanced natural colour and wool texture gives each hide its own depth and character.
Naturally Patterned Sheepskins
Naturally patterned sheepskins are shaped by the natural pigmentation and markings of the individual animal. Spots, patches, contrasts and tonal variations create patterns that are entirely individual to each hide.
Because these markings occur naturally, no two sheepskins have exactly the same pattern. This makes naturally patterned sheepskins particularly distinctive as interior and design materials.
Material Origins
The Origin of BääBää Materials
Our sheepskins and reindeer hides are sourced from selected suppliers in the Nordic countries and across the EU. The hides originate as by-products of the meat industry, giving a material that would otherwise be a secondary output a considered role in interiors and design.
Our sheepskins are tanned within the EU using ECO-TAN tanning methods. The tanning process is an important part of the material’s final quality, influencing the feel, flexibility, durability and overall character of the hide. We consider origin, material quality and processing when selecting materials for the BääBää collection, with natural variation and the individual character of each hide remaining an essential part of the material.
BääBää Partners
BääBää as a Material Partner
- A curated material library. Genuine sheepskins and reindeer hides selected for upholstery, interiors, furniture and design applications.
- Project-specific material sourcing. We help identify and curate materials according to the requirements of the project — from wool type, tone and texture to size, quantity and intended application.
- Bespoke development & production. Specialist cutting, sewing and made-to-order solutions for projects requiring a specific material, finish or application.
- From individual commissions to larger-scale projects. We work with designers, architects, brands, furniture manufacturers and other professionals across residential, hospitality, commercial and product design.
- One material partner from selection to delivery. BääBää can support the project through material selection, sampling, bespoke development, production and delivery, according to the scope of the work.
