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Underneath it all
Let's face it, the main
difference between leather upholstery and regular upholstery
is that it is covered in leather, not fabric. Therefore, the
foundations of a well-built frame and a sturdy seating support
system still apply. See our Sofa Buying Guide for a complete
checklist of what to look for underneath it all.
Cushions
Like the frame, when it
comes to the cushions of leather upholstery, many of the options
that are available in fabric upholstery apply. (See our Sofa
Buying Guide for a complete checklist of what to look for in
cushions.) The best-selling leather upholstery features high
density foam cushions, but blendown and spring-down are also
available and are becoming more prevalent in the market.
Hides
The advantages of leather
upholstery are that it is strong, yet soft. It doesn't tear,
burn or puncture easily. Leather upholstery breaths, therefore
it doesn't get cold and moist in the winter or hot and sticky
in the summer. When you shop for leather upholstery, expect to
find a wide array of styles and colors. No matter the styling,
the leather should be soft, supple and comfortable to sit on.
The hides used in construction
are what distinguish leather upholstery. Many different terms
are used to describe the leather preparation processes. Definitions
of some of the options available in leather upholstery appear
below:
Aniline
leather - A translucent dye applied to leather in vats. The translucent
quality allows the grain to show through, but it can also show
imperfections, therefore only the best quality hides are used
for this process. May also be referred to as true aniline, naked
aniline, pure aniline, naked leather, unprotected leather, or
natural leather.
Bi-cast -
Split leather with a polyurethane coating that gives it a high
sheen and increases durability.
Corrected
grain leather - Leather that has been buffed and coated with
pigments or other finishes to hide imperfections. Also known
as protected leather.
Full grain
leather - Leather that has not been altered beyond hair removal.
Leather match furniture upholstered with a combination of leather
and vinyl. The vinyl is died to match the leather and is typically
used on the sides and back. Leather is reserved for the cushions
or "everywhere the body touches."
Leather match
- Furniture upholstered with a combination of leather and vinyl.
The vinyl is died to match the leather and is typically used
on the sides and back. Leather is reserved for the cushions or
"everywhere the body touches."
Pull-Up -
Full grain leather that is treated with oil or wax so that it
develops an aged patina over time. More common on traditional
styles, it is also know as oiled or waxed leather.
Pigmented
leather - Leather with coloration applied to the top surface,
as opposed to dyed. This process hides imperfections and adds
durability.
Semi-aniline
leather - Aniline dyed leather with a layer of matching pigment
added to improve color consistency and add protection.
Split leather
- The lower layers of a hide that are removed to create a uniform
thickness on a top grain hide. These lower layers are also processed
and treated with a protective sealant for use in upholstery.
Top grain
- Leather with the outermost layers of the hide left in tact.
Generally considered high quality.
Vegetable
tanning - The process of making leather using tannins obtained
from bark, wood, or other plants and trees.
Scale
Before you even start
looking at a new sofa you should take the time to measure the
room where it will be placed. You should also take the time to
measure any hallways, doorways or stairs that the sofa will have
to travel through to be placed in the room, especially if there
are odd turns and angles along the way. The best advice is to
create a floor plan to get an idea of how the sofa will work
with the rest of the furnishings in the room. Take the floor
plan with you when you go furniture shopping to give sales associates
an idea of what you are looking for.
You should also consider
how a sofa fits your body frame and those of your guests. A low-to-the-ground
frame might be difficult for some individuals to stand up from.
A sofa with a deep seat may leave a petite person with their
feet dangling several inches above the floor. Consider the overall
atmosphere of the room that the sofa will be in, and the room,
as function. If you sit on the sofa to watch movie marathons,
then you might choose a deeply cushioned sofa that encourages
lounging. If the sofa will be placed in a more formal room that
is used primarily for entertaining, then a sofa that sits more
upright would be the right choice.
Styling
There is a wide variety
of choices available in leather upholstery. Traditional to modern
styles, and everything in between are available in all price
ranges. If you don't find exactly what you are looking for, ask
about custom order. Quality furniture retailers can help you
select the right combination of styling, construction and leather
quality for your budget and decor. See our sofa buying guide
for a list of different sofa style elements that can help you
name what you want in a sofa.
Leather and Fabric
, the Best of Both Worlds
Several home furnishings
trend setters are taking a new direction in upholstery by combining
leather and fabric on the same piece. This combination is happening
in both contemporary and traditional styles. On traditional styles
you may see rich brocades and velvets combined with leather and
finished with a nail head trim. In contemporary styles the sheen
of bi-cast leather contrasts with soft Microfiber fabrics that
look and feel like suede.
Leather Protection
When you buy something
you love, you want to protect it. We buy upholstery to live with
and sometimes life gets messy and sometimes accidents happen.
That, As where a protection plan like Protection First comes
into the picture. Think of it as insurance against life, as little
mishaps, spots and spills or other mishaps.
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