Leather comes naturally
Leather is now widely used in the upholstery of furniture, offering individualilty to everyone. Leather is a natural
product. It breathes, is warm and has individual characteristics that tell their own story. Hallmarks such as scars,
creases and veins add natural beauty and individuality to each hide without affecting the wearing qualities of the
product. Leather is highly resilient and durable, which overtime will adapt and change enhancing its appeal.

What to expect
Every hide is different and because the dyes and finishes penetrate to varying degrees in different parts of the hide, an attractive variable finish is achieved with a level of uniformity as consistent as these processes allow.
The natural marks, scars, grain variation and wrinkles which appear on each hide generallly feature in certain
areas depending on the degree of marking. Heavier marking will appear on the outside backs and sides or less visible areas such as under seat cushions. The more subtle markings will feature on more prominent parts of the suite although this is not guaranteed. Irregularities in the grain, small scars, insect bites, dung marks and other natural skin marks should not be considered defects. By having these characteristics they are proof only real leather has been used on your furniture creating an individual piece. It is perfectly normal for certain areas of the leather to show signs of creasing and stretching from new, this will develop naturally during the life of the furniture creating a softer more inviting look, an inherent quality of fine leather furniture.

Terms associated with leather

Aniline & Sauvage Leather
This is leather which has been dyed using aniline dyes and has little or no protective coating applied. It is the most expensive type of leather available and is subject to scars, bites, differences in grain and shade variation. The leather has a soft, luxurious feel and will quickly mould itself to your body shape when sat upon.
Semi Aniline
This leather is designed to bring the natural feel and appearance of Aniline leather but with greater protection. Skins are selected and dye is impregnated, a light protective coating is then applied to offer some degree of resistance to staining but makes the leather a little harder to the touch than Aniline.
Pigmented Leather
This is dyed leather which has had a pigment applied to the surface offering good protection. This surface coating gives a solid colour and can disguise some of the shade variances present in Aniline leather. A grain pattern can be embossed into the skin; this generally makes the natural characteristics of leather less visible than Aniline and Semi Aniline leathers. This leather does not feel as soft as the above leathers but the protective properties of the
pigment make it easier to care for.
Antique Leather
This has a two part surface pigment process, after the furniture has been upholstered, part of the top coat is rubbed off by hand to expose the contrast colour underneath creating an accelerated ageing effect. The top olour is designed to wear away during the life of the furniture to create an attractive antique appearance.
Waxed/Oiled Leather
This has been buffed slightly to raise the fibres on the surface. Dye and wax/oil are applied which sticks the
fibres down giving a smooth waxy finish. If scratched the fibres raise leaving pale areas, this can be revitalised
with a damp cloth and occasional re-waxing/oiling.
Nubuck
This is Aniline leather, which has been buffed and offers a plush velvety feel. Stain resistance is very low and great care is required wth this product.
Bi Cast
This has two component layers, a natural one and a heavily protective coating. These are bonded together to give a high resistance to soiling and very good wear performance.
Split Leather
Split Leather is the bottom portion of the hide as opposed to top grain which is the upper section and is created by melding together several pieces of leather. Typically split leather is not as durable as top grain, it’s dyed more and thus it feels stiffer and cracks more easily. Split grain is not as high quality as top grain leather and therefore it’s less expensive.

Interiors
Most interiors are produced to offer maximum comfort for the style of your chosen furniture. It is common that interiors will lose at least 10% of their density in the first 3 months, increasing to 20-30% over time.
To prolong the life span of interiors where possible cushions should be rotated or seating positions changed regularly. Where fixed seat models are chosen, particular care is needed to avoid ‘side sitting’ (lying or sitting on the edge of interiors) as this can cause excessive dipping of
the interior in excess of the tolerances already detailed. Daily maintaining is required by vigorously plumping cushions to offer maximum performance, particularly fibre and feather interiors.

Protecting your investment
Caring for your leather sofa: tips, information and advice Leather is a natural product. It breathes, is warm and has individual characteristics, which make each hide unique. Leather will always display traces of its origin such as brands, scars, creases and growth. These hallmarks add character to the suite and do not affect the wearing qualities of the product. Leather is highly resilient and durable, and over time, develops a patina that increasingly enhances its appeal.

Regualr, easy care maintenance...
To get the most out of your investment, you should follow the general guidelines below:
• Always protect your suite from direct sunlight, as this will accelerate the natural ongoing discolouration process.
• On pigmented leather, dust should be removed by vacuuming and wiping with a slightly damp cloth, using a solution of warm water and mild soap on a regular basis. Never use abrasives such as household polish, which may damage the treated surface of the leather.
• Suede, nubuck and aniline leathers require particular care, as they lack a protective coating. Use products specifically designed for these types of finish and follow instructions carefully. Always test any cleaning process on an unseen area.
• Never place leather furniture against any heating source such as a radiator. To remove spillages, do not rub into the leather as this will cause staining.
• Liquids should be quickly raised from the leather by using the edge of absorbent paper towels and then dabbing the area lightly with clean towels. Sweat or perspiration may cause harm to leather. In particular it can cause colour loss and cracking of leather.
• To minimise the risk of this happening in heavily used areas such as the arm rest and head rest, we advise
that the cleaning instructions are regularly adhered to. Seat, arm and back cushions should, where possible, be regularly plumped up to maintain the shape of your suite.
• Try to avoid sitting on the edges of cushions or arms, as this may cause uneven wear and distortion of the
padding and leather. Where zips are used, these should not be required to be unfastened, as they are
there for ease of manufacture. Certain non-colourfast clothing such as denim can stain light coloured leather if it comes into regular contact.
• Sharp objects may scratch the surface. Caster cups are useful to reduce indentations on carpets and
wood flooring. Strong sunlight can cause leather to fade and crack. If you need any additional help or advice, feel free to call in or telephone us to speak to one of our advisers.
Variations and markings
Every hide is different and because the dyes and finishes penetrate to varying degrees in different parts of the hide, an attractive variable finish is achieved with a level of uniformity as consistent as these processes allow.
Irregularities in the grain, small scars and insect bites and other natural skin marks should not be considered as defects. Only real leather has these characteristics, and they exist as your proof of authenticity. It is perfectly normal for certain areas of leather to show signs of creasing and stretching.
A combination of these factors means that in the first few weeks of use, creases and wrinkles will develop naturally to create a softer, more inviting look, an inherent quality of fine leather upholstery.

Download PDF Version