Quality leather only gets better with age. Over time it develops a natural patina and relaxed wear pattern that adds a sense of casual luxury to any space. But not all leathers are created equal, so how can you be sure the leather you choose will work for your lifestyle?
The art of leather
There are a host of benefits that come with living with leather. First and foremost must be the natural beauty and aging patina of leather. Add to this durability, sustainability, and natural comfort, and it’s easy to see why people have loved living with leather for centuries.
As a natural product, leather breathes, regulating your temperature, offering year round comfort no matter the season. Made from animal hide, leather is incredibly durable. It lasts for years and can be repaired easily.
If you want to ensure the leather you’re choosing is cruelty-free and sustainable, here are the factors you should consider.
Ethically sourced hides
Knowing that the hide is sourced from countries with strict animal welfare regulations in place, such as Australia, New Zealand, or the European Union, ensures that the animal was well cared for during its life and slaughtered humanely.
King leather is sourced from quality hides in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. The quality of the hides used for true touch is so tightly controlled that they are sourced only from one small region in Germany.
Long-lasting and recyclable
Quality leather lasts a long time and only gets better with age. It’s also easy to repair and recycle. Leather can be ground down to make leather board used in shoe insoles and heel inserts in footwear. This is also the case for leather trimmings from the manufacturing process. Leather is also biodegradable, taking between 10 – 50 years to break down.
The tanning process
Tanning is a chemical process that requires a lot of water; however, over the past twenty years, the world’s leading tanneries have led the way and set a high benchmark for environmental responsibility. Tanneries are also highly regulated and subject to both international and government compliance regulations.
Leading tanneries run their waste water treatment plants to manage liquid and solid waste. There is also an industry-wide drive toward ZDHC, Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals. This is a non-governmental program that established rules to eliminate hazardous chemicals in textile and leather processing.
Aniline leather
Prized for its authenticity, the aniline dye process brings out the leather’s natural grain, including imperfections like scars or wrinkles. The hide is submerged in a drum of translucent aniline dye to draw out the original characteristics of the hide, but this does not offer any protective layer. Aniline leather marks easily and can be challenging to maintain on an everyday basis.
Semi-aniline leather
Semi-aniline leather is ideal for furniture, retaining the authentic beauty of aniline leather with two critical distinctions. During the drum dying process, a pigment is added that permeates the hide adding a light protective coating and achieving a rich deep colour without compromising that classic leather look.
Top-grain corrected grade leather
Top-grain corrected leather has the outer layer of the hide removed. This is done by buffing and printing sanding back the top layer, so the leather retains its natural feel but achieves a uniform and refined finish with no natural imperfections. With an added layer of protection, corrected leather is robust and easy to maintain.
Nubuck leather
Nubuck leather is produced from top-grain hides and has the grain side (outside) buffed back until it has a very small velvety nap. Nubuck is wonderfully smooth, but it is high maintenance and marks very easily.
Bed Leather Collection creates the matte finish of nubuck leather without maintenance. Durable and hardwearing, this semi-aniline leather is treated with a pigmented protective coating for added resistance.
Caring for leather
Cozyfree sources the highest quality leathers to ensure your furniture looks luxurious, is exceptionally durable and extremely comfortable. Leather is a natural product, and as a result has a protective coating that will resist most soiling and spills. However, it still needs to be cared for using suitable products and a gentle touch.
Regular cleaning and conditioning will prolong the life of the leather. Cleaning and conditioning products are specially formulated for bed leathers and will clean and protect to maximise the life of your leather.
The language of leather
As a luxury product, leather comes with a whole host of terminology. When choosing leather for your bed it helps to understand these terms.
Good article!
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