Which Will Last Longer, Faux Leather or Leather-Match?

Question I’m looking at leather furniture again after purchasing bonded leather evidently. Terrible experience. I’m looking at two different sets. One is made out of top grain leather where the body touches & polyurethane fabric sides & back. The other set (more expensive one) is made out of 81% polyester leather & 19% polyurethane. Which … Read more

What is Bonded Leather Furniture? Why Are There So Many Complaints?

Bonded leather furniture is upholstered furniture made with a “bonded leather” fabric. This is not the same as top grain or full grain leathers made from animal hides. Bonded leather combines the worst characteristics of genuine top grain leathers and synthetic faux leathers such as polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride (vinyl.) Bonded leathers often are touted … Read more

Is It True That There is an Attempt to Make Leather out of Mushrooms?

Mushroom leather is real, but they are not the edible type of mushrooms. Mushroom leather is a eco-friendly Vegan alternative to leather produced from animal hides. Several high end European designers have already introduced handbags, wallets, watch straps, shoes and hats, made from Mushroom leathers. Mushroom leathers have been under development by several different companies … Read more

How can you get rid of dog scratches on a leather couch?

A Google Search for “How do I get rid of dog scratches on leather furniture and came up with the following articles: How to Repair Scratches on Leather Furniture How to Repair Claw Marks on a Leather Chair How to Take Care of Leather Furniture With Dog Scratches | eHow Repairing Scratches on Leather Furniture … Read more

What Is Pebbled Leather? Is It Real Leather or is it Fake Leather?

“Pebbled” leather refers to a particular type of texture found in some leathers. The Pebble texture can be found on many faux leathers and vinyls. It is also a common texture found on animal hides used to make leather. The pebble texture can be found on real leathers at all price ranges. For lower priced … Read more

Why Is My Leather Sofa Peeling? How Can I Tell Genuine Leather from Fake?

Is your leather sofa peeling? Welcome to the wonderful world of “bonded leather.” If your “leather” sofa is peeling, you do not have genuine leather made from animal hides. Also, you do not have faux (fake) leather made with 100% polyurethane or 100% polyvinyl chloride (vinyl.) What you do have is “Bonded leather”. This is an … Read more

What is a reasonable price for an American-made leather sectional?

Depending on the size and style of the sectional and the type of leather used the price can be anywhere from $3000 – $10,000+. For a very large sectional, with top quality leather, from a high quality manufacturer, the price could exceed $20,000. Leather section by Bradington Young shown above. Know someone who might be … Read more

Does Ashley furniture use real leather on their furniture?

Ashley uses two different types of “leathers” on their furniture. Bonded leather and leather match. These materials are not the same as “all top grain leather” made from animal hides. Bonded leather is the result of a synthetic faux leather facing material bonded to a backing made up of crushed leather particles made from hide scraps. These are … Read more

Will a LazyBoy recliner label specifically tell me if the leather used is Nuvo or is it up to me to find an honest salesperson?

The basic rule of thumb is that if the recliner is approximately the same price as similar looking fabric recliners it is Nuvo (bonded) leather or possibly leather match. Genuine top grain leather will increase the price of the recliner by $200 – $500 (or more for brands that offer better quality leathers.) Know someone … Read more

Why did my Cindy Crawford brand, leather sectional couch from Rooms to Go, start losing thin patches of leather after 8 years of use?

Real leather made from animal hides does not lose thin patches of leather. You have “bonded leather,” a horrendous product with a synthetic polyurethane or vinyl facing “bonded” to a backing made of compressed “real” leather particles. The only real leather in this material is in the backing, which cannot be seen or touched. That … Read more

What is Mushroom Leather? Can It Be Used for Furniture?

Mushroom leather is a eco-friendly Vegan alternative to leather produced from animal hides. Several high end European designers have already introduced handbags, wallets, watch straps, shoes and hats, made from Mushroom leathers. Mushroom leathers have been under development by several different companies over the past 5 years. These different companies use several different types of … Read more

Does Genuine Leather Peel Off? Why is my Sofa Peeling?

peeling bonded leather

No and yes. The term “genuine leather” has more than one meaning. For furniture, the answer is “No!”  “Genuine leather” upholstered furniture is made with “real” leather processed from animal hides. Real leather made from hides does not peel. For accessory items (belts, wallets, purses, etc.) the answer is “Yes!” Accessory manufacturers and retailers generally use … Read more