One, remember that leather is a natural material that is designed to initially repel liquids, this works to your advantage. Any spills should be blotted, not wiped – this just spreads the liquid. A dark spot will be left behind once the bulk of the liquid has been removed, but this it normal. It is liquid that was absorbed. Often times this will naturally evaporate, leaving no trace of the mishaps. Obviously, the longer it takes to clean up a mess, the more liquid that was absorbed, and the longer it will take to evaporate dry.

Two, if you have a more serious spot that doesn’t evaporate (more than water is often spilt), try cleaning it with a moisturizing, non-acidic soap (think mild, skin sensitive bar of body soap) or saddle soap. You do not want to lather up with a lot of water and soak your leather more. Instead, get a cloth wet, lather it a bit on the bar of soap and then rub it on the stain. DO NOT use circular motions, but back and forth OR side to side. Once you have worked over the stain pretty well, use a damp cloth to wipe down the area, rubbing in only one direction and then buff with a dry cloth. I have also seen recommendations to not wipe with a damp cloth, but just buff with the dry one, I just feel better going over it with the water only damp cloth, perhaps removing some of the excess soap. Regardless of how you do it, next you have to let the spot air dry. You may not know if the stain is gone from your leather sofas until after it dries, if it is not completely gone, then you may need to repeat the entire procedure.

Three, and this is very important, do not do the above cleaning process until you have tested it on an obscure area on the leather sofas first! You want to make sure that the soap you are using will not mar the leather surface, or make the stain worse.

Hopefully these tips will help you when you need to clean your leather sofas. With a little care and some basic rules, you can keep them looking like new for many years. After all, the life span of a leather sofa or chair should outlast fabric upholstery by four times. Though I find that the best way to preserve my furniture is to have a basic rule of no food or drink. No one thinks they are going to spill, but it happens to the best of us. And though I may ignore my own rule sometimes, as I tell my kids, it is better if I have a mishaps than if they do!

Palliser Chairs

Palliser furniture offers a wide range of various leather chairs that will fit your needs. Whether you are searching for a super comfortable chair to relax in or looking for a chair that will match your décor Palliser furniture has it all.

Palliser Sofas

Palliser sofas are a beautiful piece of fine leather furniture that will take your breath away. Whether you want to pair it with a Palliser chair, a Palliser glider or just by itself a Palliser sofa is something everyone will want to sit on. They are easily cleaned and maintained so families with children or messy people will find that their sofas still look amazing years down the road with very little effort.

Palliser Gliders

Palliser furniture also offers gliders that are perfect for relaxing in front of the television or for enjoying a good book. Many parents also love to have a glider in the baby’s nursery to glide the baby off to sleep at night.

Palliser Sectional

With nine different styles to choose from you are sure to find a sectional that will fit not only your needs but also your décor. Imagine how wonderful it would be to have the whole family gathered on one piece of furniture comfortably for movie night. With so many family members heading in various directions all day long wouldn’t it be nice to come home to a Palliser sectional that everyone could relax on?

No matter what your needs are, whether for your décor or your family needs, Palliser leather furniture is the right choose. With their wide section of furniture that includes Palliser chairs, Palliser gliders, Palliser sections or Palliser sofas you are sure to find something that will meet your expectations and your needs.

They are comfortable, stylish, colorful and extremely durable. They have a huge variety of styles, colors and shapes. They are a bit costly as compared to ordinary furniture but the benefits it possesses overpower its cost. It has a very luxurious look and improves the home décor with its presence. Unlike other materials it lasts a very long time and so the investment today becomes tomorrow’s heirloom. The natural material brings extreme softness and smooth touch and is very flexible that allows it to take any shape perfectly. Being a natural skin it can stretch a lot and retain its original shape.

It also has a versatility of blending in any furnishing mode. Thus it looks good in all types of interiors whether it is an office or a house, coffee bar or a hotel lobby, study room or a studio. Unlike the synthetic materials the seat of a leather sofa rarely gets sticky. It is also fire, stain and crack resistant. Another benefit is that leather breathes and lets a free flow of air through it so it is cool in summers and warm in winters.

Red Leather Furniture

If you are a budget conscious person then you can go for a leather sofa with top grain leather in the front and split leather at the lower portion of the sofa. But compromising on quality in such furniture is not encouraged. It is not a purchase that will make you regret as it does not wear out quickly like other sofas. Its value does not depreciate but increases with time.

Ekornes was founded back in 1934 by Jens Ekornes a Norwegian man who started the company with nothing more than a few German pieces of machinery and about 3 employees in Sunnmøre, Norway. What started out as a business that made steel spring components for furniture manufacturers evolved through modern technology and a desire to make a better product into creating their own mattresses and furniture. Several product lines have been introduced over the years. The first product line consisted of mattresses referred to as Svane. Svane mattresses were created out of the desire to build a better mattress and Jens Ekornes and his company invested much time and travel into finding the right machinery and techniques to building high quality spring mattresses after having built steel spring components for furniture manufacturers they had the necessary skills and knowledge to take that to the next step and did in the success that soon followed in the design of the Svane mattress.

Another product line that followed after the success of Svane was referred to as Ekornes. This line was born from the infrastructure already in place that was producing wood furniture components and plastics/foams for other furniture manufacturers. The Ekornes line of stationary club furniture as it was introduced back in the 60′s filled a need for smaller, scaled down furniture that fit well into most European homes. This leather furniture’s initial introduction was a national flyer campaign used to introduce this product line to every home in Norway. The Svane & Ekornes lines did well and in 1971 a new line was introduced called Stressless. Stressless recliners were patented by Ekorne who introduced many new features never before used in the design of a recliner and it was this product that eventually put Ekornes & Stressless on the map globally for the accomplishments in this revolutionary new design for a recliner now sold in over 30 countries worldwide.

In the early 70′s Stressless recliners introduced a unique glide system that allowed the chair to move with you. The patented system featured two rollers on each side of the recliner that moved along steel poles built into the underside of the recliner adjusting to you as you move in the chair. Ekornes continued to improve upon Stressless recliners by introducing a new feature called the Plus System. It was engineered into two places the head and lumbar regions of the chair. As you reclined back the head of the chair would move forward to keep you in eye level with whatever you were doing be it watching TV or reading a book. In the lower portion of the chair in the backrest a special lumbar support was designed into the chair that would extend out to support your lower back when in an upright position and would relax back into the chair as you reclined back. These two features of the Plus System worked together and formed the correct support for both your head and lumbar area in all positions. Today’s Stressless recliners feature these same options as well as 360 degree swivel bases on the chairs and ottoman now have adjustable comfort by allowing the individual to set it stationary or allow it to move with you with its built in glide function. Stressless® products carry a 10 year warranty on all working mechanisms.

From 2001 and beyond Ekornes began developing matching leather furniture in the way of Stressless sofas, loveseats and chairs to coordinate with their popular Stressless recliners and ottomans. The look of these pieces took the same design elements used in Stressless recliners and introduced them into the matching furniture keeping the look and design consistent and as comfortable as the Stressless chairs & ottomans they were based on. Today every recliner in the line has matching pieces that can be used with them as well as low back and high back matching furniture which provides different looks and designs depending on you’re the needs of your room or living space. Ekornes continues to move forward with new innovations in the Stressless line of furniture and it will be interesting to see what new products and features will be available in 2008 and years ahead.

In this article we’ve taken a brief look at the history of the Ekornes company founded by Jens Ekornes back in 1934 and the different lines of furniture they have introduced which include the Svane, Ekornes and Stressless lines of furniture. We examined the introduction of their most successful line of furniture Stressless recliners and the unique designs and features that made this chair successful on a global scale. Finally we looked at Stressless today and the additions of matching furniture and what these have helped provide in terms of coordinating pieces for the popular line of Stressless® furniture. If you haven’t had the opportunity to sit and relax in a Stressless product I would encourage you to find a local retailer or dealer and take the comfort test™ to feel the true comfort of a Stressless product.

There are two types of leather that you can get.  Smooth leather or a suede type.  The leather can be dyed to a variety of colors and used in a variety of styles.  The dye that is used on the leather will determine the kind of care that it requires.  If you use the wrong type of cleaner on your leather item you could stain and permanently damage the product.  Make sure that you read the manufacturer’s instructions for the proper care of your leather item. 

There are some general rules that you can use to properly care for your leather item.  These rules apply no matter the kind of item you are cleaning.  Leather must be kept in an environment that is not wet or too dry, not hot or too cold.  The extremes in temperature are what can cause damage to leather items.

Leather must breathe because it is a natural fabric.  If you keep your leather in a cool area that is well ventilated and will keep air circulating all around the item.  If it is kept in direct sunlight it can damage the color of the dye.  You should keep this in mind when you are arranging leather furniture in a room.  The leather in your car can also be damaged if you park in direct sunlight consistently.  Try to park your car in an area where it will avoid direct sunlight, or you can purchase a screen for your car’s windows.

Over time your leather items can dry out and become damaged.  Keep the leather out of extreme heat and sun.  You can condition your leather with products to keep it from drying out.  It can also help to protect the leather when you use these products. 

Getting stains out of a leather item can be difficult.  You should only use products that are specifically designed for use on leather.  You can test the product on a small section of the leather to be sure that it will not ruin the leather.  When you are removing a stain from one of a set of items like gloves you will want to treat both of the gloves to be sure that the color remains matched.  You can also remove small spots with alcohol or cornstarch.  Cuticle remover can also work on small spots.  If your leather item becomes water stained in one place you may be able to save the piece if you wet the entire garment to get the same look on the entire garment.

The interior of your car can be kept clean if you make sure to clean up any spills as they occur.  Regularly wiping down the seats will also keep the interior clean.  If you have any extensive or difficult stains on your car’s upholstery it may be necessary to bring in an expert.

You should make sure that your leather is cleaned immediately if anything is spilled on it.  Don’t allow the spill to soak into your leather item.  The leather can be permanently damaged if you allow a spill to soak in. 

Cleaning your leather twice a year is good for maintaining the look of your garment.  You should wash your leather by hand with a special gentle soap that is designed for leather.  You can make suds in a bowl and clean the leather with the suds only and not the soapy water.  Your cloth should be damp and not saturated with water.  You will need to completely dry the item immediately after you have finished cleaning.  Buff the leather out to make sure that it is completely dry and clean.  Your leather should be conditioned immediately to keep it in the best shape.  You will be providing the moisture that your leather needs.

Office furniture made from high quality hardwood and finest leather, beautifully hand crafted and finished, is warm, tactile and inviting. It brings to your work pleasure and prestige that is not achievable when you are surrounded by cheap furniture which has not been designed specifically to suit you and which has been mass produced from plastic and other synthetic materials.

Residence Fine Furniture works very closely with its clients to design and hand craft beautiful office furniture to make their clients working hours comfortable, productive and pleasurable.

Residence can offer its clients a range of superb cabinet woods for their office furniture, the most popular being rosewood and genuine American mahogany.

As with all furniture made by Residence only the finest time honored crafting techniques are used to make the furniture. All drawers are dovetailed and have wood bottoms. Light use drawers feature hand carved integral drawer runners whilst heavy duty drawers are fitted with fully concealed high quality European made metal drawer runners to ensure many years of smooth, reliable and trouble free service.

The Residence range of high quality office furniture includes desks, returns, file cabinets, bookcases, display cases, credenzas and hutches. In addition Residence has beautiful executive chairs with tilt and gas lift mechanisms and visitor chairs that will see everyone beautifully and comfortably seated. Residence also offers a complete custom making service for board room tables, meeting room tables, reception and other furniture.

Residence desks range from small but elegant desks for the occasional personal requirement through to sophisticated partner desks in sizes and configurations to meet the most demanding requirements. As an alternative to wood tops, customers can choose to have their desks, returns and tables fitted with leather from the extensive Residence range of high quality Italian and Scottish leathers.  Furniture can be personalised with leather stamping and gold foil in a range of patterns and styles, and customers can select their own drawer and door pulls and handles.

If required desks, returns, credenzas and board room and meeting room tables can be made with fully concealed component and cable management systems to accommodate the most sophisticated requirements.

Good leather sofas have a solid build of frames and the upholstery is finished to give a measure of protection from staining and damage. When looking for a sofa you should always make sure they are fireproofed to meet British Standards.

Leather furniture is often associated with luxury and many owners opt for leather to bring sophistication to a venue. The denotations of leather lean toward a more upscale buyer, but finding affordable leather furniture is more than possible.

Not all leather is the same; some retain the natural markings and variations that may appeal to some people more than others. Some leathers are rendered through various methods which remove the grain and any unique markings. Before buying any leather furniture, it is a good idea to research the different types of leather available, so you can match it well to the rest of the bar or club.

The most desirable leather is full grain which isn’t tampered with, but retains its natural quality. For example, the markings from insect bites, a scar from a barb wire fence, or the tiny wrinkles that occur on skin are all apparent on this type of leather – in short, it has a more vintage feel. This is also a very soft texture, making it rather popular among those looking for new leather sofas.

The popularity of such room furnishings is most likely due in large part to their durability, versatility, and functionality. With the current variety of leather seating options available to consumers, finding the ideal recliner may be accomplished with relative ease.  

Whether shopping online or in retail furniture outlets, you will most likely find a wide variety of leather recliners in a broad range of price points. The size of the recliner, as well as the quality and color of the leather, may factor heavily in terms of its retail price. If making a bold statement by adding a brightly-colored leather piece is not to your liking or in your current budget, there are numerous other options. Selecting a brown or black recliner may prove to be more affordable, but still add a much desired room element.  

Once you take into account your style of room decor, budget, and specific needs, you may have a good idea as to what furniture addition will work best. Whether you are looking to simply add functional seating, a cohesive element, or an eye-catching room addition, choosing amongst the current offerings will most likely lead you to a wonderful choice. Placing a more standard-sized recliner in a corner space may be a way to add comfortable seating while at the same time maximizing room and floor space. Conversely, the addition of a double recliner against a wall may give you additional seating, as well as create an inviting focal point.

While the initial cost may be cause for hesitation, leather recliners often prove to be long-lasting and worthwhile investments. Even for high traffic areas, they prove to be durable and easy-to-care-for seating alternatives. Prior to using your leather piece, it would be strongly advised to have it treated with a quality leather protectant. For an additional fee, many manufacturers and retailers offer this valuable form of protection. A properly conditioned leather piece may be easily maintained, even in the event of spills and frequent use.  

From traditional, contemporary, to ultramodern room styles, the addition of a quality leather piece may be an ideal way to update the appearance and usefulness of a room. While other seating options may be less costly at the outset, quality leather often outlasts more inexpensive coverings. Updating your decor with a piece of high-quality leather furniture may prove to be a particularly sound choice.

White-Cream Leather Sofa

Generally, lower priced leather will have more scars and other marks compared to high quality sofa sets. In fact, all hides will have some of these markings. If you go for top grain, you would have a continuous covering rather than patches at several different places which you would not find attractive. That makes top grain sofas pricier than others.

The method of dying also matters a lot and sofa sets made of aniline leather are softer and they are completely dyed in aniline. These sofa sets are also expensive then semi aniline leather sofas because superior hides are difficult to find for them. However, handmade sets are naturally expensive than machine made sofas as they require a lot of time and hard work.

Leather that is used in these sofas is imported from various countries like Italy, Germany and Austria and various other countries. But a lot of leather is collected from domestic sources. Leather furniture has been manufactured in Italy since centuries and it is one of the best in the world. Aniline was found by the Italians and such quality leather furniture is not found anywhere else in the world.

Leather does not come in a large variety of colors. Certain colors gain more popularity. Besides, it is cost-effective to get a large number of sofa leathers dyed in the same color than having leathers of several colors. Therefore, the different color would be more expensive and you can ask your furniture manufacturer to dye the leather in any color you want but you will have to pay the price for it.

Go into a furniture store sometime and watch people sit on the leather furniture. You’ll see what I mean. They ooh and ahh all over themselves, and with good reason. Leather appeals to us for many different reasons. Having said all this, lets take a look at some things to consider when shopping for a leather sofa.

First of all, leather is not absolutely indestructible, but it is extremely durable and long-lasting if given even a modicum of care. There are many high quality leather care products available to make this task simple and easy. If your furniture is going to be used a lot, especially by children, then leather is a great option for you. It may cost more, but it will last a lot longer than other materials.

True story: I have a cousin who’s young boys took a knife to his leather sofa and just absolutely destroyed it. They poked probably 50 holes in it. Don’t tell him I said this, but what in the world was he thinking letting those guys even have access to the knives?! I think he deserved what his couch got. When these sorts of oddities occur, there really isn’t much that anyone can do. But generally, leather is the most durable material you can get a sofa in.

The second thing to think about when shopping for a leather sofa is the type of leather. If you are aware at all during your search, you will note that there are quite a few different textures and types of leather to choose from. The ostrich leather has that (in my opinion) irritating speckled or dappled look to it. I prefer something more smooth and even. Alligator and snake may make a great pair of boots, but when it comes to a leather sofa, these just aren’t practical, or even available, for most. I suppose you could probably find one in this type of leather, but you would more likely have to commission a custom job to really get one made out of either one of these. And, for most people, this is entirely impractical and would be ridiculously expensive.

Regular ol’ cow leather has enough variety of textures and dyed colors for most to find something they love. I like brown, my spouse likes black. I like smooth, my spouse likes a texture. The point is, with leather you have lots of options. What do you like?

Finally, consider my cowboy question above (wink-wink). Cowboys like leather. I don’t care where in the country you live, you probably have a little cowboy inside you somewhere. Look at all the fancy businessmen walking down the streets of our big cities with their stylin’ cowboy boots on. I guess I just think having a little cowboy inside is part of what it means to be American. And doesn’t every American cowboy want a leather sofa? Of course they do!