- Follow us:
Thursday, April 18th, 2019
The Bliss Leather Chair from Protégé Upholstery is simple yet stylish.
Even since man started valuing commodities, leather has become one of the most sought-after materials. The simplest and earliest furniture pieces were probably made of animal skins so that man would be kept warm and comfortable.
Leather is a big testament to the resourcefulness as well as the ingenuity of man. And whether it did play an important part in the development of civilization, it is still a valued material even to this day. Leather has become an enduring piece of fashion and design.
So, is it a must to have leather in your home?
A Little Leather History
Let’s walk down memory lane for a bit. The benefits of using dried animal skins in the prehistoric times are still the same benefits that man enjoys today. Leather has been used for shelter and clothing and all these are there to keep harsh conditions from harming man.
The earliest known leather artifacts were crafted in 1300 BC. This was the time that man began to appreciate and use animal hides for their protection. Suddenly, leather is born and animal skins are no longer just a food by-product.
Ancient Greeks also crafted leather garments and sandals in 1200 BC and during the Homeric era. Leather prevailed and even spread all the way to Egypt where royalty almost revered it.
And as we now live in a society that’s increasingly developing and becoming more sophisticated with each year, innovations keep coming even for an enduring material such as leather.
Leather craftsmen and tanners are still in demand even as they were during the Middle Ages. What’s better today is that, there is now an alternative method that’s been invented for vegetable tanning.
Chrome tanning makes use of chemicals which make leather manufacturing a lot easier. About 80-90% of leather tanning worldwide is now done in this manner.
Leather is not just associated with clothing and bags nowadays but also in the bookbinding industry. The Victorian era began this with novels such as those of Charles Dickens being preserved because of the durability of leather.
Leather Today
These days, leather is still highly valued and renowned. While there are now more options on synthetic fabrics and materials, leather remains one of the leading choices for furniture and accessories.
There are many reasons why leather endures even till these days. First, very few materials can beat leather when it comes to quality. Furniture made of leather are believed to be top-of-the-line and, therefore, premier pieces.
Have you ever been invited to a spacious office where you were welcomed to a lobby filled with leather furniture pieces? What was your impression of that office? Surely, you thought of the adjectives classy or sophisticated. And with modern tanning process now available, leather is now more resistant to sagging, cracking or even peeling.
Leather is also a material that offers comfort. And compared to fabric couches which tend to fade, leather is more enduring. They are less likely to lose their shape. In fact, as true leather becomes more worn out, it becomes even more inviting to one’s sight.
Leather is breathable so it allows heat to dissipate more quickly. No matter what the weather, you are sure to feel comfort as you sit each time in your leather couch.
Speak of durability, leather is also known to last four more times compared to fabric upholstery. It is a tough material although it is also flexible. Because it is all-natural, it is also resistant to dirt and spills. Just wipe it with a clean cloth and you’re done cleaning.
Lastly, leather is so stylish more so when it is dyed. Its unique grain, markings and look shows just how refined you are with your furniture choices
Tags: history of leather, leather, leather furniture, leather history, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Furniture, Home Office Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Living Room Design | Comments Off on Leather: From Then Till Now
Wednesday, November 15th, 2017
American Leather Living Room Three Cushion Sofa ALE-SO3-ST
Leather products’ prices are often determined by the kind of leather used and how it was also produced. The one that is considered to have the highest quality is the full grain leather. The lowest type is bonded leather and, surprisingly, the ones that are referred to as genuine leather.
Expect to see sofas and other seating units to be cheaper if they were just made of bonded leather. High fashion producers such as American Leather provide you with full grain leather or what’s known as calf leather. There are even manufacturers who offer unique leathers like ostrich. The cheaper animal leathers include buffalo and goat.
Leather Colors and Dyes
It is also not surprising that the more expensive types of leather are fully dyed. The semi-dyed types are easier to prep and paint, hence, these are more affordable.
There are now producers of leather who machine spray their products. These are cheaper but you should choose the ones that have been antiqued manually.
White leather is the most difficult to produce, thus, a white leather bag, jacket or couch is sure to cost more but you will surely have a unique piece to be proud of.
High-quality leather furniture often uses vegetable tanning. This is tanning that does not use chemicals to dye the leather. Natural methods are used such as coloring with tannin and tree bark. While these methods take a lot longer as compared to chrome tanning, the products are a lot more beautiful and durable.
Italian leather is also often associated with high-end products. This is true. Italian industry is centered on treating leather in a lengthy process. They also use only quality hides unlike buffalo or goat hides (which originated in India) which have thinner, more odorous skins.
Understanding Leather Grades
In a world where product replication is widespread, it seems acceptable for everyone to have like-looking materials. Yet handmade leathers are the best kinds that are known to last for many, many years.
To know what you are paying for, here are the different leather grades –
Full-grain leather. This sits at the very top of the chain. It is referred to as full-grain because it has not been buffed out or sanded down. The marks as well as imperfections that came with the hide remain. The thickness of the skin is also kept intact.
Some may find sanding down this hide as a more appealing way to manufacture the product. Only the highest quality luggage, footwear, and furniture are produced from full-grain leather types.
Top-grain leather. The second one on the list is top-grain leather which shows a split layer with the imperfections no longer seen. Since the skin has been sanded down, it also becomes thinner making it a lot more workable for manufacturers.
The top-grain leather products are smoother to the touch and they are more resistant to stains. While the breathability is affected because of the finish, the fact that you won’t have to worry so much about cleaning it up offsets this negative aspect.
Suede. This is the one that has that napped surface when you look at its underside. This type is formed by using split leather with the top-grain rawhide taken off and the drop split left behind. When sanded down further, this can reach the right thickness that is required for the furniture, shoes or bags.
Cow leather is rougher to work with which is why goat, deerskin, and lamb are often chosen instead.
Though suede may feel great, it is not that durable because it can easily absorb liquids due to the pores on its surface.
Nubuck. This is generally regarded as the more durable counterpart of suede. It is manufactured by using top-grain leather hide that was slightly sanded. This feels velvety to the touch.
Tags: leather, leather shopping, leather types, manufacturing leather, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, shopping for leather, types of leather
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on All About Timeless Leather
Friday, June 2nd, 2017
Viniterra Collection’s King Leather Panel Bed represents both sensuality and sturdy charm.
Have you ever given the history of leather a deep thought? Leather-making is such an interesting process that it deserves to be told and retold to people especially those that have a good many pieces of the said stuff.
The Leather Story
A long, long time ago, primitive man hunted food by going after animals. He then removed the skins and hides from the dead animals and used them as clothing, footwear, even tents. The earliest recorded use of leather was in the Paleolithic period where cave paintings showed the primitive man’s use of leather clothing.
The Paleolithic sites also showed a lot of bones that were used in scraping skins and hides for the removal of hair.
Not long after, man discovered leather preservation through smoke. He also discovered leather treatment when he infused tannin in leaves, barks, twigs and fruits of a few plants and trees.
Much later, earth salts and alum were finally used as tanning agents. These then produced softer and white leather. These were also dyed using different plant dyes.
Leather manufacturing was introduced in Britain by the religious and Roman invaders. Most of the monks from these places were leather experts especially in using it for writing. The Britons had a lot of uses for leather from clothing, shoes, bags and even some warfare articles.
Throughout the centuries, leather creation expanded and grew steadily over the medieval times. So it’s no surprise that you would see period films featuring leather tanneries during the medieval era.
Real or Faux?
So, do you really have to smell or touch leather in order to recognize its authenticity?
Genuine leather, keep in mind, is made from animal skin. These are skins of cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. There are various kinds of leather. The three types are aniline, semi-aniline and the pigmented kind.
When picking the type of leather that you would use, consider how it would eventually look and the foot traffic in the room where it is going to be placed.
Aniline leather is the top-grain, quality leather that does not come with any protective treatment. It is a natural-looking leather because it comes complete with markings. It is susceptible to surface scratches, though.
Semi-aniline, on the other hand, is still pure aniline but it comes with a coating of clear finish or pigment. This makes the leather more durable as it protects it from spills and stains. The coating also gives the assurance that the color will be consistent throughout the entire surface.
Lastly, the pigmented kind is still a top-grain leather but this one is coated with a clear top pigment or layer. The pigments are either shiny or bright-colored. It appears less natural, of course, as the colors are often used to hide the imperfections on the leather.
This is the kind of leather that is often found in many auto upholstery and furniture shops.
The leading differences between real and fake lather are the following –
Smelling also will help you tell that the leather is real. There is a distinct smell to a leather object that can never be replicated by furniture makers.
Tags: faux leather, genuine leather, history of leather, leather, leather history, McCreerys, story of leather
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The Story of Leather (Both Real and Faux)
Thursday, October 6th, 2016
FFDM Viniterra Collection offers an interesting fusion of leather and fabric.
Cleaning any leather furniture is a process that asks for a huge deal of expertise and care. This is one of those materials that can be easily damaged when treated improperly. While most homeowners opt to do this task on their own, there are professionals who have been certified to address this kind of maintenance. They are the right people to call who have the right kind of cleaning materials and equipment.
Leather is preserved animal skin so it is wise that it should be treated in that manner. Any substance that can keep it moistened is the kind that could provide longevity to it.
Leather Prepping
Before you or an expert would begin to clean the leather furniture, make sure that the furniture piece has been vacuumed properly. This process may be simple but it can prevent waste materials from damaging the furniture.
Preserved animal skin is very fragile so you wouldn’t want dust or any waste to get stuck to it. Any kind of debris should be removed from it. You may use saddle soap or just about any gentle cleaning solution that can also treat the leather.
Veer away from strong chemicals as these can cause permanent staining on your leather couch, chair, recliner, or ottoman.
Leather Cleaning
As soon as you have vacuumed and prepped the gentle soap that you’ll use, be sure to apply the solution with a damp cloth. Use just a little pressure to apply and reapply the solution. Rinse the soap suds with clean water, again, using the damp cloth.
Dry the material right after it is rinsed. Use a dry cloth this time, using just a little amount of pressure.
Leather + Toothpaste?
There are stains that are deemed permanent which can actually be removed easily using toothpaste. Scrubbing will only damage the leather so it is best to make the tough stain come out using a cloth and toothpaste. If the stain remains, then have a professional take a look at your leather furniture. These experts have the safest equipment and solutions to use to remove the stain.
Hooker Furniture Living Room Aspen Durant Round Cocktail Ottoman: Who says leather furniture always has to be a sofa?
Leather After Stain Removal
After the stains have been removed, leather can be conditioned and treated. This must be done once to twice a year depending on how much exposure under the sunlight the leather furniture receives. Don’t think that simple silicone or oils can be used to clean leather because they have been known to stick and become permanent residues.
There are leather technicians who can expertly handle leather by erasing stains and other problems that are common to this material.
Choosing the Right Leather Caretaker
With a lot of leather cleaning companies to choose from, you might be wondering how you would end up with the best. To properly discern the best, be sure to do some research. Look for personal reviews of past clients, work samples, and their certifications. Among these three, it is important to check the last one. Certifications ensure that the business is competent enough to handle leather concerns. Certificates ascertain that the team has ample fundamental knowledge as well as the latest techniques to handle any leather situation.
So what sort of certificate should you be looking for?
Look for the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certificate. This is also known as the IICRC which is proof of their continued evaluation. Professionals who hold this certificate know how to repair, deodorize, maintain and even restore leather furniture.
Cleaning technicians also know the various fabric categories so they will be able to identify different fibers, sanitation chemistry, techniques of leather protection, and are even able to forecast a problem before it even happens.
Tags: caring for leather, genuine leather, leather, leather care, leather design, leather furniture, leather maintenance, leather upholstery, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tips
Posted in Furniture, Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101 | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 9th, 2016
Scandinavian theme can be used as well in the kids’ bedroom (Winners Only Bedroom Del Mar White Twin Storage Bed BDP1001TS).
What do Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway have in common? All these countries showcase perfect homes. Spaces featuring Scandinavian design are super stylish but not in an ornate kind of way. Also known as the Nordic design, Scandinavian design is all about keeping most design elements subdued. More often than not, such homes sport a stark white backdrop which is the best canvas for anyone’s artistic flair.
Scandinavian Design: A History
Simplicity and function are the foremost design principles for all of Nordic Europe. The homes in these places are airy, bright, and mostly serene. Natural elements are effectively used, with neutral color palettes taking centerstage.
The world had its first glimpse of this style during the 1947 edition of a design exhibit in Milan. Triennale de Milano specifically featured home accessories and glassware coming from the Nordic nations. It was a rage and pretty soon, Canada and the U.S. capitalized on its popularity. The years 1954 through 1957 made Scandinavian design the star of the interior design industry. It was a timely break from the designs enjoyed by Europeans during that time. Europeans generally favored ornate designs and opulent settings. Nordic design changed all these.
Function over embellishments became the new trend.
The design’s popularity declined during the 80s but upped again in the next decade.
Artistica Dining Room Crystal Stone Round Dining Table 373-100.
The Scandinavian Textures
It is important to play with textures when you are designing your home with a bare white environment. The colors can still participate in the whole picture but they should be muted. Rich textures must be seen on the furniture pieces, lamps, the accent rug, textiles, the bed and the couch. The secret is to keep things exciting.
Mix rich textures with a little shimmer or a touch of nature (as simple as a flower arrangement inside the living room will do wonders). A bit of black will also look nice as it will provide a striking contrast to the white background.
Colors can be added one bit at a time. Abstract paintings are a nice addition; they will surely pop in a mainly neutral space.
The flooring does not have to be white, too. If you do not want the flooring to appear sterile or too cold, then you may install wooden flooring. If you love dark colors, then don’t worry. You can still use such colors without making the room look gloomier. Begin with an accent wall then work the rest of the design from there.
Scandinavian Furniture
Wood is a primary feature of many Scandinavian homes. Life in that region of the world has long winters and just a few hours of daylight. Since this is so, people often stayed indoors for a long stretch of the wintry season. Small houses featured wooden furniture pieces that were masterfully crafted by artistic hands.
The Hickory White Living Room Sofa 5104-05 has throws that make a colorful and interesting contrast to the all-white fabric.
Scandinavians love organic materials such as natural wood, metal, leather and natural textiles such as cotton and linen.
Statement pieces such as tables and chairs do not even have to match. You have the leeway to mix and match different pieces to make the dining space look more interesting. Natural materials like oak, suede, leather, linen and cotton comprise many Scandinavian furniture pieces.
Leather furniture is also welcome in a Scandinavian setting since it can effectively add warmth and texture. To complete the elegant look brought about by the wooden and leather furniture, see if you can have a fireplace in your living room. A column fireplace can be used as a focal point in a huge living room or in a family room. More often than not, the fireplace is just a bunch of columns located in a corner of the room.
Tags: leather, leather furniture, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Nordic design, Nordic interior design, Nordic interiors, Scandinavian design, Scandinavian interior design, Scandinavian interiors, white, white color palette, white furnishings, white in interior design, white interior design, wooden, wooden furniture, wooden materials
Posted in Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Saturday, January 30th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Living Room Cognac Entertainment Sofa with 2 Glider Recliner-Stg Console
For hundreds of years now, cattle hide was used to cover books, even to bind them. Cowboys from the West also used this material as a huge part of their outfit. Later on, leather became a luxurious addition to pricey car interiors. Today, it has dominated the world of fashion and interior design.
Many people just dream of owning a leather sofa situated inside their spacious family room. The smooth Italian leather can be used on a long sectional or that cute ottoman.
Leather can be mixed and matched or you can just pick a piece to balance the fabrics in a room.
Leather furniture pieces have the capacity to stand on their own in terms of aesthetic appeal and quality. Mix it with other fabrics or use it as base for fabric or silk covered cushions. It can also add a twist to your home if you use it on architectural detailing or finishing.
Leather has gone a long way from being a cowboy hat or boot. It is now the star of many furniture shops. McCreery’s Home Furnishings offers the best leather sofas and chairs. If you want to go beyond furniture pieces in utilizing this wonderful material, then have it installed as a part of your flooring or walls.
Wood wainscoting may be a lovely design idea but you can surprise everyone by using leather tiles. What you will get is a unique and sophisticated look. You will be amazed on how this wall finishing can make a bland place appear more elegant if not sophisticated.
Wesley Allen Bedroom Headboard with Surround HB1231. Who says leather should only be installed on sofas?
As to interior decor, there isn’t a material out there that can be more adaptable than the good old leather. It is versatile, meaning, you have the leeway to use it in modern settings or on timeless dwellings.
This is a wonderful neutral piece that should be used sparingly. It can be easily mixed and matched with different furniture groups which consist of upholstered pieces. Remember that too much leather can also make a room appear daunting and cold. Avoid this result by including just a single leather furniture as a feature piece. You can finish off with colorful accent pillows.
Leather also gets better with age so you won’t have to worry about replacing it soon. Leather furniture bought today will look amazingly wonderful two decades from now.
Shopping for Leather Furniture
Not all leather items come with the same standard. Some leather grades have a higher quality than the rest that are being sold in the market so it is up to you to distinguish which ones you will take home.
Identifying genuine leather is a matter of getting used to the touch and appearance of this material.
Uttermost Accessories Brunella, Magazine Holder 19543. This living room piece depicts class and elegance
Full grain leather is the la creme dela creme of all leathers. This is also the toughest kind. A basic way to find out full grain leather is to search for scars and other small imperfections. If nothing has been done to hide such, then these natural imperfections will point to the genuineness of the material.
Top grain, on the other hand, is a notch below full grain. The split layer is taken off from the layer of the top grain. Majority of the imperfections have been removed, thus, making the piece look a tad like plastic.
Corrected grain leather is manufactured hides that contain bite marks, scars and many imperfections. Such imperfections are unsuitable for sofas, hence, they were removed through buffing and pigmentation.
Lastly, faux leather can also be a great alternative but your concerted effort should be centered on inspecting edges, examining the pores, and touching the skin. Real leather can have a course feel and it has a distinct smell that can never be replicated in any manufacturing shop.
Tags: genuine leather, history, history of leather, leather, leather couch, leather design, leather furniture, leather shopping, leather sofa, leather upholstery, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Thursday, January 14th, 2016
This classic wooden drawer is from FFDM’s American Cherry Collection.
Southwestern design is defined with earth colors and the richest textures. This means that you should use more of orange, yellow, turquoise, and red clay. Clay tile roofs, terracotta and handcrafted stuff are all welcome in a southwestern home.
Upholstery for this design is chiefly woven fabrics, suede, animal hides or leather. Blankets could be made of traditional native clothing. Do not limit the use for these beautiful pieces inside the bedroom because they can also be great wall decor.
Wood furniture is a must and could also feature metal accents or a distressed finish. The accents used in southwestern environments can be anything from painted ceramics to hand-painted tiles. If you can find early pieces dating all the way back to 16th century Mexico, the better.
Tribal Design Elements
You will see a lot of Native American pieces inside a southwestern home. Elements such as latillas, vigas and other artwork are design themes that are commonly used in architecture. This style is quite earthy as well as organic as it captures the heritage of Arizona and New Mexico areas. Natural accents, colors and other elements look and feel a lot like Mexican, Spaniard, and Native American designs; open floor plans, flat roofs and courtyards, even gardens can become a part of your home.
This Hooker Furniture Living Room Covington Bogue Club Chair has the right color to give life to a southwestern habitat.
Southwestern design makes use of subdued earthy tones like tan, cream, brown, terracotta, and white. These colors are great as backdrop for American Indian-inspired textiles and accents. Azure is a famous color for windows and doors. Any color found in nature such as forest green, salmon, sunny yellow and slate blue can fit perfectly in southwestern interiors.
Southwestern furniture should be unpretentious. Say no to anything intricate. Cherry, walnut, pine, and just about any mid-tone wood would do. It should have soft leather or natural textiles as coverings. Make use of huge pillows right on the floor as well as hammocks in your courtyard. These can be alternative seats for your guests. Always remember that the rooms must be spacious or have a natural flow.
As for the walls, they are often made with the same materials as the exteriors. Mostly adobe, interior walls are roughly plastered. Others use smooth stone or stucco. If you want to add warmth and color onto a boring wall, then use hand-painted tiles. They can also be used in covering kitchen backsplash. If not, use the tiles as individual accents.
Murals are also a huge depiction of southwestern culture. Have spiritual stories or rituals painted on murals then have them installed as a statement wall.
You can also try stucco plaster then add builder’s sand to the paint. You may also use special paint effects such as suede, color washing, or faux paint.
Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Biltmore Select Bidjar Rug 1773RS02000300450 at McCreerys Home Furnishings
Southwestern floors are often honey-colored. Other homeowners prefer terracotta tiles. Adding visual interest on your floors is easy. Just arrange the tiles in patterns and layouts.
Parquet or light wood flooring is widely used. You can color this kind of flooring with cobalt blue or any other earthy color to make it more exciting. Carpets and rugs are valuable pieces but if you do not want these in your home, then be sure to opt for hardwood flooring.
Use brick or stones throughout your home without letting the style suffer. Use lovely rugs with traditional patterns and colors brighten up the room.
Southwestern accents are mostly paintings, candles, wrought-iron stuff, dried flowers, sculptures, pottery (the hand-painted type), and animal skins.
Learn these Southwestern design tips and begin bringing rustic beauty into your lovely home.
Tags: animal print, brick, earthy, guidelines, leather, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Mexican, Mexican interior design, Mexican interiors, Mexican style, Native American, Native American design, natural stone, neutral, neutrals, paint, rustic, rustic decor, rustic design, rustic elements, rustic home, rustic interior design, rustic look, rustic style, rustic theme, southwestern interior design, southwestern interiors, Spanish, stone, textures, tips, tribal, warm colors, wood elements, wood furniture, wooden elements, wrought iron, wrought iron furniture
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Follow us on our social media
© McCreery's Home Furnishings | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
