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Different Types of Leather Used in Furniture Upholstery

October 20, 2019 by Mandy

Have you ever sat on a quality leather sofa and wondered if a similar piece would work well in your home? A good sofa is always the focal point in any living room. If you invest in a good quality couch, it can become a valuable part of your life, and essential in providing much-needed comfort at the end of a long day. Indeed when it comes to buying a sofa leather is the top choice. This article will help you understand further the different types of leather furniture, and how you can choose which is best for your home.

Full-grain leather

Full-grain leather refers to the outermost layer of cowhide, including the fibrous secondary layer also known as the split. This material is smooth, stiff, and highly durable. But despite the characteristic stiffness, full-grain leather remains breathable. As such, it is also absorbent and will last a long time. After years of use, you will notice the leather developing a distinct patina and ‘aged’ appearance.

Full-grain leather is the best choice when making furniture. You will find most sofas, ottomans, recliners, and chairs made using this material. Those who prefer a more natural style and texture to their leather furniture will like full-grain leather.

Top-grain leather

Unlike full-grain leather, top-grain leather only uses the outermost layer and does not include the ‘split’ layer of cowhide. Since it is thinner, it is also more stretchable and become much softer after years of use. Top-grain leather is another excellent choice for furniture upholstery, which is often treated with a protective coating.

Sanding top-grain leather creates the velvety texture of nubuck, and nubuck is another excellent material used in upholstery. Top-grain leather is also easier to clean, making it the perfect choice for a living room, and games room furniture.

Bonded leather

Bonded leather is another popular material in upholstering furniture. But, unlike other types of leather, bonded leather is made by blending pieces of cowhide. The heating process used to bond leather scraps together makes it easier for the manufacturer to customize textures and patterns on the leather’s surface. Compared with other kinds of leather which did not undergo processing, bonded leather tends to be thinner; hence, less durable.

Split leather

Separating the top-grain and full-grain layers from cowhide yield the lower layer known as split leather. The texture is soft and downy, which makes it ideal for making suede. The delicateness of split leather does not make it suitable for furniture upholstery. However, it may be used to accentuate furniture pieces, but not to upholster an entire piece.

Different types of leather finish

Apart from the different kinds of leather used in furniture upholstery, you will also encounter leather finishes that give the material its color as well as enhance its strength. Ideally, you’ll want your leather furniture to be as natural as possible. Aniline leather, for example, refers to treating the leather with a transparent dye which accentuates the grain and texture of the leather. On the other hand, pigmented leather adds a layer of protection over the material; hence, it is more stain and scratch-resistant.

7 Interior Design Tricks to Improve Your Home

August 12, 2019 by Mandy

Source: Unsplash | Sven Brandsma

Transforming your home doesn’t have to be an extensive and expensive process. Sometimes, it’s the simplest changes and additions to a room which can make your home feel completely different in a positive way. Knowing easy tricks and simple decorating tools means you’re well equipped to create a more enjoyable home space.

Here are some excellent tips to get you started.

1. Paint Smaller Rooms in Lighter Colors

The number one rule when it comes to decorating a small space, especially if the space is limited in natural light sources, is to avoid deep and rich colors which may make the room feel more enclosed and darker. When reinventing your smaller spaces, you should opt for lighter colors, such as magnolia, white or very pale pastel colors. If you’re unsure about your painting techniques or would like the advice from an expert regarding which light color would look best in a specific room, you can go online and search for “painters near me” to find a professional.

2. Embrace Plant Life

Nothing can transform a room better than an attractive plant. Equipping your room with greenery not only makes it feel more functional and fresh but also increases health and positivity, due to a plant’s contribution to cleaner air and their ability to absorb pollution. The great thing about choosing plants for your home is that you can put them anywhere, and opt for any shape and size, encouraging a new hobby and interest, too.

3. Make Use of Area Rugs

If the majority of your home is fitted with hardwood flooring, then laying the right rug down can truly make a difference. Area rugs can add splashes of color and character to any room, and be functional additions to a space which you might want to make more cozy, especially during the colder winter months. They can also be very family-friendly if you have a new baby or toddler spending a lot of time moving around the floor and are looking for a comfortable spot to sit with them.

4. Add Mirrors Wherever You Can

Not only do mirrors serve to make a room feel a whole lot bigger, but they are also useful for adding more natural light to a space. Try and position your mirrors on the opposite wall to a window and witness the difference in the amount of light within the room.

Mirrors are also attractive additions to any wall space you are looking to fill, and with so many varieties, styles and colors, the right mirror can make a room feel significantly better. This is also a good choice if you’re looking to fill bare walls but aren’t particularly a fan of bold artwork.

Go a step further and opt for mirrored furniture to increase the amount of light and reflection in your space.

5. Mix Your Aesthetics

A room can quickly feel and look bland if it’s kitted out in a lot of the same colors, furniture, and textures. It’s not imperative to make everything match the same style. Channel your personality and quirks more by furnishing a room in different shades, different styles of furniture and different patterns, such as bold cushion prints on an otherwise plain couch. These unusual additions can make a room a whole lot more interesting again, and a fun place to spend time in.

6. Be Creative with Storage

Optimum storage will always be a necessity in any home, and sometimes it’s not always possible to have enough closets and cupboards to hide everything away. If you must have storage pieces taking up space in your rooms, fully embrace the situation, and choose stylish and fun options for your storage needs instead of trying to make them invisible.

This could be upholstered storage boxes in an attractive fabric instead of plain wood options, or you could use wicker baskets or quirky antique cupboards.

7. Upcycle

If you’re looking to decorate your home with more unique items, while also trying to find a new use for items gathering dust, consider transforming old objects into new decorative pieces. This could be an old table which you’ve avoided using because you hate the color; you could sand it down and re-paint in an attractive modern pastel shade better fitted with your dining room! Or you could give old and worn photo frames a new lease of life and display them as your favorite room’s focal point.

Have a good sort through items you’ve considered getting rid of and see if you can create a new use for them.

Think About This Before Visiting Furniture Stores

July 30, 2018 by Mandy

Whenever looking for brand new furniture for the home you want to consider various options in regards to where to start. There are so many furniture stores you can visit and various furniture types. It is quite normal for the choice to seem overwhelming. You want to first narrow down what furniture type you like and then decide where to go buy. Alternatively, Gary Friedman states that you want to consider custom furniture since it can be perfect for any part of the home.

Contemporary Versus Traditional Furniture Stores

You want to decide exactly what furniture style you prefer. This is a good idea for redoing the whole room or just updating décor. Analyze the rest of the home and see if all matches perfectly since you do not want to be faced with discrepancies.

When unsure what furniture type you want, analyze what is considered modern on online websites and in interior design magazines. Cut out or print furniture sets and room photos and then go to the furniture stores. This will help you find something that is just as you would like it to be. You can easily be guided to create a room that is truly beautiful.

Chain Versus Local Furniture Stores

When living in larger cities there is a big possibility you can choose out of various furniture stores. There are normally small stores, regional chains, national chains and even locally-owned options to consider. Both the local furniture stores and the large chain stores have negative and positive points to take into account. Local stores can employ some furniture designers instead of salespeople. Smaller stores will often focus on a more personal customer service and employees tend to have higher knowledge about trends and furniture styles.

The large chain stores usually offer a huge selection and many furniture styles. You usually get the opportunity of finding everything in one location, which is quite convenient when in a hurry. The problem is that the large chain stores tend to be impersonal and employees rarely know a lot about the latest trends and styles.

Ready-Made Versus Custom Furniture

When looking around various furniture stores and not finding something that you like, custom furniture designers can easily step in and help you create a one-of-a-kind room that perfectly fits all your current wishes. You can choose every single furniture aspect, including wood type, stain, style and even textiles used. It is true that custom-made furniture will take a long time to be completed but it is normally worth the wait as you get exactly what you wanted.

With ready-made furniture you can quickly buy what you like as the furniture is already manufactured and designed. You can pick it up soon after you order it and you know exactly how it will look. The downside is that others might have the exact same pieces.

There are also some items that will be semi-customizable. You can basically customize some of the parts of the furniture, like wood type, leather or fabrics.