When decorating your home in a Western or rustic style, leather is one of the most beautiful, durable, and eye-catching materials you can use. Rustic leather furniture provides a look that's both natural and stylish, and thus blends easily into the most rugged or sophisticated home decor scheme.
Making The Grade
The first thing you should know before purchasing rustic leather furniture is that not all leather is created equal. Leather quality and character are affected not only by the unique qualities of each animal, but also by where it was located on the body.
As it's processed, leather is split into three layers.
- Split leather is the bottom layer closest to the body and is typically used to make suede.
- Top grain is the next layer up and thus of a higher grade than split leather.
- Full grain leather is the finest leather grade and will contain the natural markings of the animal's outer skin.
Wrinkles And Tones
Because it's a natural product, leather will bear unique markings. Leather from the neck or shoulder of an animal will probably be heavily wrinkled, and this will appear in furniture as creases or furrows.
Leather tone may vary as different animal skins react to treatment or coloring. Stretch marks or vein marks may also be apparent, and may in fact be a sign of quality.
The closer leather was to the surface of the animal, the more likely you are to see natural markings.
Highest Quality
The highest quality leather is known as aniline (aniline is a colorless, transparent dye). This leather is full grain, soft, and supple, and is usually untreated. Full aniline and semi aniline are the two grades below aniline.
Leather is for the rustic designer who is a true connoisseur of nature. Proper understanding and care of your leather furniture will guarantee a home that becomes even more beautiful with age.
