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Leather quality in high-end furniture

post #1 of 12
7/4/08 at 12:18am
Thread Starter 
My fiancee and I are looking at the Florence Knoll sofa. We'd like it in an ivory or cream leather. However, we are confused about how we should assess leather quality and there are over a dozen leather types offered (all by Spinneybeck).

On the one hand, there are corrected grain leathers like Volo and Aqua that are then treated with all sorts of chemicals to make them more stain, dirt, and scratch resistent. On the other hand, there are full grain, uncorrected grain leathers, both vegetable and chrome taneed, that cost a bit more but are supposedly more fragile.

Since we are going for a light color, we are leaning toward a treated, corrected grain leather. However, we are worried about how such leather will wear over time and how difficult it might be to take care of. Also, it doesn't feel as nice.

Thoughts? Experiences?
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post #2 of 12
7/4/08 at 12:24am
IMO, cream furniture ages badly if used often, regardless of the leather. Fine if you're OK with replacing it with some regularity, not so great as a long-term investment.
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post #3 of 12
7/4/08 at 2:54am
No thoughts on the leather, but that's a really nice, classic modern couch. It should last you a long time, especially since you're getting it in a neutral color.

--Andre
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post #4 of 12
7/4/08 at 11:25am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DocHolliday View Post
IMO, cream furniture ages badly if used often, regardless of the leather. Fine if you're OK with replacing it with some regularity, not so great as a long-term investment.

This is a real concern; but we really wanted something light to complement any conceivable wood flooring and it seems that the treated leathers hold their own over time.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Yew View Post
No thoughts on the leather, but that's a really nice, classic modern couch. It should last you a long time, especially since you're getting it in a neutral color.

Yeah, we concluded it was the one we wanted after realizing that ever other sofa we liked was inspired by it.
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post #5 of 12
7/4/08 at 12:36pm
I too am thinking about leather sofas and was concerned about maintainence difficulty, patination/discoloration and sensitivity to humidity/temperature. For me the biggest problem is variability with temperature (eg cold in winter) and I'm thinking about whether synthetic ultrasuede is a better route. It gives the feel and versitility of fabric and a little bit of the leather look. The reason I would go for real leather if the aesthetics was #1 and everything else was a distant 2nd.
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post #6 of 12
7/4/08 at 4:05pm
We've had a number of dark brown leather sofas and all have held up well. One observation based on this experience is that some high end makes don't use great leather. The quality can be all over the map. Use of leather tends to breakin the leather and it becomes smoother over time. Look for a good quality frame as well-kiln dried, etc.
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post #7 of 12
7/6/08 at 2:42pm
My advice would be to stop worrying about it, and embrace the idea that one of the great things about leather, is that it looks better with age (even the light coloured ones). Generally speaking, I would never buy new from Knoll, when I can buy the vintage version second hand.

So...why not save money and have a better-looking one at the same time? Florence Knoll sofas are pretty common, so I doubt you would have a hard time locating one to your liking. These days, vintage versions of currently-produced classics (I'm talking Knoll here...not knockoffs) can cost more than new, but I don't think the FK stuff is a big problem in this area.
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post #8 of 12
7/6/08 at 3:26pm
Just say no to cream leather. It almost always looks bad IMO, no matter what the finish. There's one that was reupholstered in white leather on ebay and it makes it look really cheap compared to the usual fabric versions.
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post #9 of 12
7/6/08 at 5:50pm
I've worked in a higher-end furniture store for a few years, and will have to agree that leather quality is all over the place. Research the individual manufacturer if possible, otherwise judge the best you can from experience and characteristics of the leather. Leather ages well, but I can't say I've seen ANYTHING cream colored last any length of time respectably.

The synthetic suede is very utilitarian. You won't fool anyone into thinking it's real suede, but it has its own characteristics that make it a very good material. I wouldn't turn anyone away from it.
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post #10 of 12
7/7/08 at 7:49am
I can't stand ultrasuede. It's always looked, and especially felt, cheesy to me, and I don't like furniture with a nap that "sticks" (whatever the term is) where someone rubs it and the mark is still there until you brush it all the right way again. Looks almost like it's dirty to me. Good velvet that springs back to shape, especially mohair velvet is definitely an exception. Mohair is awesome stuff, very durable, great sheens and colors, comfortable. Hmm... mohair Eames chair? Or mohair Knoll sofa?
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post #11 of 12
7/10/08 at 12:05am
Spinneybeck will send samples if you e-mail them. From that it was all too clear for us that the leathers like Arizona were far too delicate.

For us, Sabrina seemed like the best compromise. It is also one of the more widely used.
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post #12 of 12
7/10/08 at 12:18am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by summej2 View Post
Spinneybeck will send samples if you e-mail them. From that it was all too clear for us that the leathers like Arizona were far too delicate.

For us, Sabrina seemed like the best compromise. It is also one of the more widely used.

Yeah, I think we are leaning toward Sabrina precisely because it is time-tested. I just wish the grain was more pronounced.
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