Abstract: A planar base material, typically of Masonite.RTM. brand compressed wood, and a thick flexible leather are each cut to an identical geometrical shape suitable for use as a tile within a tessellation. The top side surface of the composite wood underlay is contoured with shallow undulations, typically up to 1/64" deep over a linear extend of 12". The top side peripheral edges of the composite wood underlay and the bottom side peripheral edges of the leather overlay are both beveled. The leather overlay is adhesively bonded, typically by brush-on type contact adhesive, to the composite wood underlay, forming thereby a composite multi-layer laminate leather tile. The edges of tile so formed are well suited visually and functionally for abutting one tile to the next. The major surface of the tile is aesthetically pleasing without presenting any visual flat spots. The composite tiles may optionally be embossed, stained, sealed, and/or waxed upon their upper and edge surfaces.