How To Buy Leather Furniture

I get asked all the time about leather furniture and appropriate applications in the home. There are different types and grades of this amazing natural product. Usually the higher the grade, the more delicate the hide is. I use finished or color coated hides for high traffic areas. These usually appear shiny or have a sheen. They are still soft to the hand. The best test to determine if your selection will stand up in high traffic is to touch, scratch, and rub the hide. If it marks, this is the type of hide for a room that you will not be sitting in a lot. Of course if you like a bomber jacket look that gets a "patina" after you sit on it, than by all means buy it. Beware of a new cheaper leather that has come onto the market in the last few years. It is sold at Target, World Market, and nicer furniture stores. It is Bi-cast leather. It is made by using split hides that are then coated with a top plastic coating. Sort of like putting plastic on tissue paper. They do not wear well and I do not consider them anything close to the real thing. Only buy top grain leathers. I always check that the frame I am putting the hides on if a quality frame. I am big into kiln dried hard woods, 8 way hand tied,and reinforced frames. I like Kravet furniture because they give lifetime guarantees on the frames. They have wonderful customer service. Their hides are some of the best around.If you want more in depth leather furniture knowledge, go www.technique-leather-repair.com.

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