About Leather
Leather is unique and natural, and will improve in appearance with age and reward you with lasting service if it’s looked after properly. As leather is a natural skin there will be variations in each hide. They are completely natural and normal and should be expected in leather. Leather may stretch with use and time. You should expect leather to stretch, particularly in the seating areas of your furniture, just as you do with shoes and trousers. The texture of the leather will vary throughout the natural hide. You can expect the grain to be different from the belly, back and neck of the hide. Other factors also come into the look of the hide, such as the age of the animal and climate. Natural characteristics of a hide include scars, stretch marks, insect bites, brand marks, veining, wrinkles, difference in grain, covered or partially covered grain and difference in shade colour. These are all natural and should be expected in the leather hide.
Leather is fire resistant and will not let off any toxic fumes, even under extreme heat. Leather also offers benefits to asthmas sufferers as it does not absorb lint or dust. Leather is also naturally resistant to odours
What is Pigmented Leather?
Pigmented Leather is any top grain leather to which a clear topcoat and pigments have been applied. The pigments are what usually give the shiny even top colour to the leather. Leather is usually pigmented to give uniformity of colour and hide its natural blemishes. Pigmented leathers are easy to maintain and have maximum resistance to wear, soiling, and fading from light.A Characteristic of Pigmented Leather is one where water drops will not absorb and darken the appearance of the leather.
What is Aniline Leather?
Aniline leather is a type of leather in which high quality hides have been treated with aniline as a dye. This produces delicate, soft, supple leather. Aniline dye colours leather without producing the uniform colouring of pigmented leather. Any visible variations on the surface of the leather such as natural marks or characteristics will remain visible. Full aniline leather utilizes aniline dye to achieve a natural look, without any other finish. A Characteristic of aniline Leather is one where water drops will absorb and darken the appearance of the leather.
What is waxed leather?
Waxed leather is a natural aniline leather to which a waxy finish is applied.
Due to this soft and scratch-sensitive finish, the leather quickly gets a vintage-patina, which is a desired effect. The patina arises by folding, scratching and stretching. Liquid stains darken the leather. Depending on the type of production, the patina is already quite pronounced when new (as with washed jeans), or the patina is created relatively quickly by use.
Colour variation throughout the hide can be expected. Never use detergents, soaps or chemical to clean the surface, as they will tend to remove the natural oils in the leather. A Characteristic of waxed leather is one bearing an oil / wax finish that lightens in colour when stretched.
What is Pull-up Leather?
Pull up leathers have been coloured with aniline dyes that are impregnated with natural based oils and /or waxes instead of being coated with paints and pigments. The oils and waxes tend to darken the original aniline dye colouration, but “pull up” the lighter colour when stretched and pulled. This pull up effect occurs as the furniture progresses through upholstery and the leather is stretched and pulled over the frame. The oils and waxes provide even more beautiful shading and unique variations. This aniline dying process allows the scars, scratches and wrinkles that occur naturally on the leather hides to show through the finish. Pull up leathers require little maintenance. Surface scratches are more pronounced but can be removed by rubbing them with your fingertips as the warmth of your hand releases the natural oils, blending away the marks. Colour variation throughout the hide can be expected. Never use detergents, soaps or chemical to clean the surface, as they will tend to remove the natural oils in the leather. A Characteristic of pull up leather is one bearing an oil / wax finish that lightens in colour when stretched.
