Leather in furniture has always been a synonym of luxury.
In over two thousand years its history has been intertwined with that of the most powerful men and women in the world: the thrones of Arab sultans, the triclinia of Roman patrician families and the sofas of European royalty in the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
Between the 1800s and 1900s it furnished the living rooms of the cultural elite, in the 1960s it began to be enriched with colour and in the 1980s it became a status symbol for business executives.
Leather furniture can create a timeless allure, elevating the aesthetics of modern, contemporary or traditional interior design.
How to furnish with leather
When choosing this material, a total look isn’t necessary: a few quality pieces are enough.
It can be a leather sofa, some armchairs, a few ottomans or benches. It represents the ideal furniture for a living room, lounge, company reception or hotel lobby.
In managerial offices and doctors’ surgeries, leather executive seating is a must: elegant, refined and comfortable, it immediately emphasises the professionalism and responsibility of the role.
The same applies to meeting rooms, where leather gives importance to the environment and symbolizes prestige.
Leather furniture stimulates the senses of sight, touch and smell. They stand out in a discreet way and can be the solution for those who are looking for an elegant and long-lasting detail.
Which type of leather should be chosen for such environments?
Corrected grain leather and chrome-free aniline leather: a quality choice
There are different types of leather on the market, each with its own merits and peculiarities.
Corrected grain leather is the finest quality of leather: breathable, soft and unalterable over time.
The most evident “imperfections” of its grain can be smoothed out, for a more homogeneous result.
Chrome-free aniline leather is even more precious: it’s not corrected in any way and has more or less accentuated irregularities on the entire surface, which make each product unique. It’s immediately recognisable by its softness, and feels silky and delicate to the touch.
In chrome-free aniline leather pores are clearly visible: they make the material resistant and suitable for top quality sofas and armchairs, because they prevent the stagnation of humidity. If the chrome-free aniline leather is of high quality and thickness, the wrinkles or furrows of the boarded leather (boarded refers to the grid formed by the wrinkles) will be deeper. Chrome-free aniline leather furniture therefore remains unaltered over time and requires minimal maintenance.
Real rectified and pigmented leather
Real rectified and pigmented leather is also called corrected leather: the grain is smoothed to improve its appearance. A more or less thick matt finish is then applied to hide some major faults. Real rectified and pigmented leather is more uniform to the eye than natural leather because the surface is compressed during the leather printing process.
Leatherette: a practical choice
The terms eco-leather and leatherette are often confused and used as synonyms. However, they are two completely different materials: eco-leather is of animal origin and is tanned using environmentally friendly methods; leatherette is produced from fibres (cotton or synthetic), coated with plastic and processed to imitate the texture of natural leather.
Leatherette has some interesting advantages, such as being medicinal, antibacterial and highly resistant to stains and weathering. These characteristics therefore make it ideal for outdoor projects, where products can often be subject to the elements.
All types of leather must be treated and dyed in order to be used in furniture. This can be done either with natural or synthetic products. In the first case, you will obtain very refined but equally delicate leathers, and in the second case, leathers with a more common but less considerate appearance.
Leather and leatherette: new products for 2021 by Emmegi
The increased interest in nature and sustainability themes and the use of natural, recycled and recyclable materials are among the absolute trends of 2021 and are also expressed through the use of key products such as wood, leather, cotton, linen and wool.
Frezza and Emmegi have decided to expand the proposal, through a wide choice of different types of leather and leatherette and a new palette of colours, available for executive chairs, sofas and relaxation area products.
To create a comfortable and warm ambience, leather furniture is no longer presented only in classic colours. The use of bold and intense colours such as yellow, red, green and blue is appealing to an increasing number of designers.
How to choose the right material from the various proposals
Two primary factors must be considered: functionality and material characteristics. A few simple maintenance tips will help preserve the natural beauty of leather and make it even more beautiful over time. In a designer product, there is deep sensitivity and attention to leather; this frequently used material, that can sometimes be difficult to apply, is lasting, pliable and well suited to cover armchairs, chairs, sofas or other furniture, maintaining its appearance aver a long period of time.
