AS WELL AS BEING ATTRACTIVE and coming in a variety of colours and textures, leather often outlives fabric upholstery and is resistant to burning or melting.Unlike faux products like vinyl, leather furniture is not hot or sticky in the summer, and contrary to some beliefs, it isn’t cold in the winter. Leather breathes and so it is pleasant to the touch all year round. As well, wrinkles and creases that form naturally over time only serve to make the furniture look more inviting. As long as the furniture is well-built, leather furnishings can retain their beauty for years to come. One of the first things you should know about leather, is what type is suited to your needs. Most furnishings are made from cowhide which is strong and durable. There are different cuts to leather, and the most widely sought-after cut for furniture is what is called the top-grain. This is the upper-side (or top) of the hide and is the highest grade of leather. Suede is produced from the inside (or back-side) of top-grain leather and is finished by buffing. The velvety product is not as durable as top-grain but has a very distinctive look and feel. Sometimes if the hide is very thick it can be split into three or more layers and the resulting layers are often used to produce less expensive furniture. Unfortunately this product may not last as long, but you do get what you pay for and you will still get the look and feel of genuine leather.

Not only are there different grades of leather, but there are also various finishes and dying processes. Aniline Finish is a clear finish that is achieved through a transparent dying process. This allows natural markings to be clearly visible but the product is not protected and can be easily stained. Semi-Aniline is leather that has been Aniline dyed then slightly pigmented. This process ensures colour consistency and is more resistant to staining and holds up to heavy use. Nubuck leather is fully Aniline but is top-grain leather that is buffed or sanded to resemble suede. It is much more durable than suede but again is more easily stained. Wax leather, (sometimes referred to as wax pull-up or wax pullover) is leather that is treated with wax in order to give it a natural, aged look. When pressed it will sometimes appear to change colours, and is a much shinier product. There are also oil pull-ups that offer the same type of look with the same level of protection, but over time both these products will show cracks and lines with extensive use. Of course different manufacturers may utilize different levels of water and stain protections, so it’s important to inquire about any piece that you are interested in. Water-proof means that water cannot penetrate or harm the leather at all. Water-resistant means that the leather has been protected and will resist stains to a certain degree. Water repellent means that liquids will pool or form droplets that can easily be mopped up if looked after right away.

There are literally dozens of stores and retailers that carry leather furniture in and around our city. Stores such as The Brick, La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries and Leon’s Furniture are sure to have some attractive and attractively-priced items. Usually they offer whole living room suites and recliners in differing grades of leather. If you are checking out any of these popular stores, be sure to make a few inquiries to ensure that you will be getting what you are looking for in leather furniture. One of the questions to ask yourself is whether or not this furniture will be mostly for show, or if you expect it to receive a lot of heavy use.

If you are looking for something more specific, there are other quality furniture stores that specialize in more unique or even more traditional furnishings. One such store is Bracko Brothers. This locally-owned store has more than just leather furniture, but it is known for its quality furnishings and they have a nice selection of leather sofas, chairs and accessories. Carey Bracko says that the company has been in business for 25 years and no matter what type of furniture it is, it has to be well-made. “The comfort of each piece of furniture is key to me,” says Carey. One of the more noticeable pieces in the store is the large Theatre Sectional. Carey calls this their “conversational” sofa, as it is curved so that people sitting on either end of the sofa can still talk to one another even with people sitting in between. “This sofa by Legacy Leather is Canadian-made from top-grain leather and it’s butter soft,” says Carey. “The fantastic structure on this system offers comfortable seating and is has an eight-way hand tied suspension system that offers more support.”

Bracko Brothers offers not only living room furniture in leather, but they also have office and dining room furnishings as well. The King’s and the Otis leather dining chairs offer comfort and style that can be easily wiped clean. Another of the interesting pieces here is called the Baron Chair. This luxurious fan-back lounger is great as a reading chair and offers a matching ottoman in the same dark leather. It’s a top-grain wax pull-up so it’s meant to last, but it’s not really a children’s chair as scratching can occur. Carey says that luckily there are leather conditioners on the market that can help preserve your furniture. “Dr. Tork is a company that offers many different products and we even have a product of theirs that in effect refinishes leather,” says Carey. “Oleosa oil is one of the ingredients that is known to give leather the dirt and water repellence that it needs.” He also says that different products are needed for different types of leather so you have to be sure what you have. “Calgary can be very dry so it’s a good idea to treat you furniture a couple of times a year.” The average price range for a leather sofa from Bracko Brothers starts from around $1795 and ranges all the way up to around $6000, but Carey says that they usually carry pieces that are somewhere in the middle that offer good comfort and structure.

Another fabulous place to find great leather furniture is Rossini’s Leather. As their name suggests Rossini’s deals entirely in leather furnishings. With 10,000 square feet of showroom, you can be sure there are a lot of different items to choose from. One of the more prominent sets in the showroom has got to be the yellow and black sofa and loveseat, says Jeff at Rossini’s. At the store call it the ‘Bumblebee’, but it is made by a company called Fornirama. This top-grain cowhide has been through the semi-aniline dying process and is as soft and comfortable as it is attractive. The unique white sectional with curved back that sits across from this set is also by Fornirama and is made from a thicker cut of leather for a heavier feel. Not far away is the chaise lounge by Vic, upholstered in black leather and a warm yellow microfibre. Its unique shape and colour ensure that it catches your eye, its obvious softness inviting you to sit down and try it out.

Rossini’s offers quite a few unique pieces ranging from contemporary to traditional and classic furniture. “The average sofa price here is about $2200 and up,” says Jeff. “But we also have a few in the lower price range as well.” Of course there are other sets that are both traditional and unique at once, and one of the sets from the Signature Collection is just that. This ‘gothic’ set with scrolled wood and warm dark colouring is very luxurious. The marbled effect is achieved through what is called surface-pigmentation and although the set looks very expensive, it is quite reasonably priced. Now, although many furniture stores have recliners, Rossini’s has one that is a little different. Made by Jaymar, a company out of Quebec, Jeff says that this dual seating electric-powered recliner has adjustable headrests, built-in drink holders and the center console is wired for your telephone and lap-top computer. Also on the showroom floor is the St. Luis by Leather Craft, a Canadian company based out of Toronto. This particular set won the Canadian Furniture Association’s Trillium Award for Design. This design award came as no surprise as Leather Craft has been in business for at least as long as Rossini’s which has been around for 25 years.

Once you have finally chosen your leather furniture, you should know a few things about keeping it beautiful. If you want your leather to retain its beautiful colouring it is important not to have it sitting in constant direct sunlight. As well, you should keep some space between your furniture and any heat sources such as vents, space heaters or fireplaces as they can dry your leather out. With the higher grades of leather, spills can be removed by carefully blotting excess liquid with a dry cloth immediately, and if necessary a small amount of clear luke-warm water can be used and towel-dried immediately. If greasy spills that are wiped up immediately leave a mark, they will often be absorbed into the leather over time. However, cleaning your leather furniture depends mainly on how it has been protected and what type of leather it is. There are good products out there and it’s best to ask about them when you purchase your furniture. Leather is the only covering that will improve with age, so be sure to treat it right and you will have luxurious leather furniture for a very long time. NL