| In a world of manmade materials,
real leather is a natural material like gemstones and exotic woods,
and like all natural materials, leather hides vary in beauty and integrity.
All manners of influences can affect their look and texture - genetics,
environment, and handling of the hide to name a few. Over its life,
every hide acquires a personality. The inevitable accumulation of
wrinkles and stretch marks, run-ins with barbed wire, encounters with
insects, thorns, and branding irons leave "beauty marks."
All of these events combine to give each hide a distinct character.
Here are some more facts about leather that you
may or may not know:
Leather will mellow gracefully with age and regular
use, being enhanced by the natural oils from your hands.
Don't wait until your children are grown to enjoy the luxuries of
leather. Having children ourselves, we have found that the leather
still wins the battle against anything the kids have to offer.
Leather is constantly adjusting to its environment, so it will not
become hot and sticky in the summer, nor cold in the winter. Leather
will breathe and ventilate, allowing it to adapt to its environment.
Cleaning leather is a cinch. You can clean up water-based spills
with mild soap and water. Saddle soaps and leather conditioners
are not necessary with normal use. Leather care products - sunscreen
protectors, cleaners, dyes - are now available for most leather
types. Ask your sales consultant about what leather care products
are suggested for your type of leather.
On a sofa, five hides will blend and compliment one another, but
will not be identical.
Aniline Dyed: The process of coloring
leathers throughout using non-toxic dyes.
Antiqued Leather: The application of a darker color
over a lighter color to create a dramatic highlight.
Enhanced Grain: The process of altering the natural
texture of a leather, creating a uniform grain pattern.
Full Grain: Any leather in which the natural texture
remains in its original state. Natural markings are left intact,
giving the leather its own unique appeal.
Nature's Signatures: Natural leather characteristics.
These include (but are not limited to) insect bites and stings,
fat wrinkles, healded barb wire cuts and scrapes, and other markings
that give each hide its own unique traits.
Nubuck: A top grain leather which has a slight
nap effect produced by buffing the surface. It has the look and
feel of suede but is far more durable.
Protected Aniline: Leather which has been aniline
dyed and then lightly pigmented to ensure color consistency and
resistance to liquids. This is also referred to as semi-aniline
and aniline-plus.
Pure Aniline: Any leather that receives all of
its color from aniline dyes only, and has no topical applications.
Nature's signatures are visible and are considered a unique feature
of each hide.
Sauvage: A two-tone effect that adds depth and
character to the leather.
Split: During the tanning process, a hide is split
into layers and the underneath portion is referred to as a split.
Compared to the durable top grain, this is an inferior leather.
Wellington's Furniture does not offer this type of leather.
Top Grain: During the tanning process, a hide is
split into layers and the top layer is referred to as the top grain.
This is the most durable part of the hide due to the strength of
the fibers. Wellington's uses only top grain, in everything we offer.
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