ASK
PRISCILLA
Answers to your questions
about leather furniture

By PRISCILLA KOHUTEK

Leather furniture is huge, fashion-forward news. But there are many questions about how and where to use it, and how to distinguish good quality from bad. Therefore, I’m devoting the whole column to this perennial favorite.

Q. I am very tempted by the beautiful leather furniture I see in the decorating magazines, but I’m wondering if it’s a good choice. Is this a trend that will soon fade away? We can’t afford to replace furniture just because it’s gone out of style.

A. Leather furniture has been around maybe since the beginning of time. Surely, Mrs. Cave Lady covered her sofa with hides from her cave-husband’s kills. No worries about it fading out of sight any time soon — it’s hotter than ever.

There are so many styles and colors available now that leather goes with all kinds of furniture in all kinds of settings. It has gone beyond the study and the family room into every room in the house. Leather covers everything, including headboards, footstools, sofas, chairs, accessories like picture and mirror frames, and area rugs — yes, even rugs, which are found locally at O’Krent’s. Something for everybody to fit all our needs or wants.

Tamara Eggemeyer, showroom manager at Furniture Concepts, Norwalk Gallery, points out that a graceful leather chair in robin’s egg blue, trimmed with silver nail heads is feminine, delicate and perfect for the lady’s boudoir. It’s a far cry from what we were used to seeing — the dreaded recliner that took up way too much space or the slouchy, overstuffed family room sofa.

Rather than trendy, today’s most wanted items are timeless. You won’t go wrong with these tasteful, durable pieces.

What’s in: Both traditional and contemporary designs are popular. Traditional styles with a mottled, worn leather look — aka the sauvage look — are preferred. Chic contemporary styling is hottest in taupes and creams.

Transitional frames with softer lines, rolled arms and with or without nail heads are also in demand because they mix well with a variety of styles.

Color is in. Soft champagne, butter, mint green, red and dark chocolate are big, but many manufacturers will custom color leather to match almost any swatch. Although solid colors dominate, clients can create their own furniture, using different color combinations as well as different types of leather combinations such as croc in light brown and top grain in dark brown. You are limited only by your imagination.

What’s out: leather and fabric combinations. While the look is always around, it’s not the “in” thing right now.

Q. We’ve been looking at leather furniture and are confused by the wide range of prices and choices. How do we know what’s best for us?

A. There is no universal grading system for leather, according to Steve Green, sales manager at Choice Leather Furniture. Each manufacturer has different criteria for its products, so ratings vary from one to the other and mean nothing to the average client.

However, there are three basic categories of leather. Full top grain: Top layer of the hide, which is not severely scarred or marked. Corrected top grain leather: Hide has more serious blemishes, but the scars and marks have been sanded off, and the grain has been embossed on top of the sanded area. Sometimes the entire hide is embossed, depending upon the damage. Split hide: Inner cut of the hide. It looks like suede on both sides. These hides are run through a press and embossed with a grain. It is the least desirable and will be the cheapest — at least, it should be.

Q. How can you tell real leather from faux leather?

A. Check the back of the sample. If it’s soft like suede, it’s probably the real thing. Faux backing is a man-made material, usually white and shiny. Like most man-made materials that are made to mimic nature, faux leather is too perfect. It will have a uniform appearance on the surface, even coloration and a printed grain. Real leather is distinguished by unique markings and grain variations. When you’re looking at a ready-made piece, and it’s impossible to see the back, you just have to ask. Let’s assume you’re dealing with a reputable store and a leather expert who knows the product.

Q. Is real leather furniture difficult to care for?

A. Nothing could be easier. Simply wipe off the leather surface with a damp cloth, or use a gentle soap and water if it’s really dirty. It’s a good idea to use distilled water in our area because San Antonio water is so hard.

On the other hand, suede is difficult to maintain. Think twice before you buy it. If you have a passion for the sensuous feeling of suede, consider one of the many man-made fabrics that mimic the look and texture — a wiser choice.

Tip: “Do not use saddle soap on leather furniture,” advises Tamara Eggemeyer. “It’s for saddles, not sofas.”

Q. We have had a leather headboard for about four years, and the color has come off where our heads have rubbed against it. We are very disappointed because we expected the headboard to last for many years. Is this a common problem with leather, and should we avoid it in the future?

A. The color may rub off if the leather is spray painted and unsealed. Perhaps this is what happened to your headboard. When leather is treated properly, the color doesn’t usually rub off.

Never say never, so I won’t say it never happens, but I will say that it isn’t a common problem. Here’s a bit on the coloring process to arm you with enough information to ask some questions:

• Open-grained leather acquires a patina over time, and the color will gradually change.

• Leather can be sealed with a polyurethane-protected application that is sprayed on.

• Aniline-dyed leather is saturated with liquid so the color goes all the way through to the back. Scratches won’t show.

• Semi-aniline-dyed leather means the hide is dyed first, then sprayed with a pigmented surface coating to achieve the desired color.

• “Antiqued” leather has been given a treatment that requires rubbing one color on top of another. It is also called sauvage.

Q. What should I say to a guest who arrives in jeans with rhinestone-studded back pockets and heads for my new leather sofa? I know it’s going to happen, and I want to be prepared to handle the situation appropriately.

A. Don’t worry too much about it. Leather is a lot tougher than most upholstery fabric. Scratches will give your sofa more character. Anyway, depending upon the finish of the leather, scratches can often be rubbed out. For more serious scratches, use a product call Scratch Away, available locally at Choice Leather Furniture.

If upholstery fabric gets snagged, you’ve got a big problem. You should worry more if a guest chooses to plop her rhinestone- studded derriere on your beautifully upholstered chair.

Words of wisdom:
• Hides are sliced into layers. For example, a hide that’s onehalf inch thick might be sliced into four layers. The top layer is known as top grain leather and is the best.

• Buy 100-percent full or top grained leather pieces with hardwood frames and steel spring systems.

• Leather should not be exposed to direct light or heat, which will dry it out.

• Popcorn is an enemy of leather because salt and oil or butter are bad for it. Furniture that will be subject to salty, greasy snacks should be polyurethane protected.

• Be sure to state how and where the furniture will be used so the leather expert can help you make wise decisions.

• Expect to pay from $1,700 up to the roof for a good quality leather sofa.

Buyer beware:
• When you see a less expensive piece, watch for a leathervinyl mix. Leather will be used on the areas you touch — the inside back, seat and arms. The rest of the piece will be vinyl.

• Avoid poorly constructed pieces because the leather will last longer than the frame.

Until next time, happy decorating.

Priscilla Kohutek, internationally published home decorating columnist and author, draws from her own experience and the advice of experts to answer your questions. Send your queries to her via e-mail at Priscilla@askpriscilla.com or mail them to SAN ANTONIO WOMAN, 8603 Botts Lane, San Antonio, TX 78217.