Leather Furniture

• The durability and price of leather is dependent on the grade of the leather.
• Top grain leather is leather taken from the outer surface of the hide.
• Split grain leather is leather takes from the lower surface of the hide, which is weaker.
• All expensive leather furniture is made from top grain leather.
• Top grain leather is graded depending on the way the leather has been manufactured.
• Aniline leather is made by soaking it in aniline dye and does not have any other finish or pigment.
• Only the best hides are put through this process that makes the leather extremely soft.
• Semi-aniline leather is coated or pigmented slightly to protect it from stains and fading.
• Pigmented leather is colored on the surface and is made from poorer hides, is stiffer and therefore more affordable.

• Leather is graded according to the way it is finished for the market.
• Almost perfect mark-free hides are very rare and therefore expensive.
• Most aniline has wrinkles and scars on it. This makes it look natural.
• Adding finishes and pigments to leather protect it from the sun and stains.

• Texture of leather furniture is partly dependent on its grade.
• Good quality leather is soft and supple whereas pigmented leather is stiffer.
• Nubuck leather is top grain leather that has been brushed or abraded creating a short nap along with softness. It is treated thus making it more stain resistant than other anilines.
• Suedes look and feel like Nubuck but are made from spilt grain leather.
• Sauvage leather has a two-toned effect that gives a marbled or creased appearance.
• Pull-up leather is aniline leather with an oil or wax application. When this leather is pulled the oil or wax separates creating a lighter color. This method is used to give leather a weathered look.
• Embossed leather has its grains corrected so that a new pattern or grain is imprinted on them. Subjecting leather to high heat or pressure embosses leather.