Category Archives: Leather Education

How Leather Contributes to Health and Wellness

Health and wellness have come to the forefront of everyone’s mind. After spending weeks in quarantine, we cautiously emerge with a greater appreciation of our personal health. We have heightened concern about the wellness of our overall community. As a result, we return to work with new safety protocols in place and maintain a safe, social distance.

As we design new spaces, we are paying closer attention to the materials we choose. Leather has been used for centuries and is known for its durability and longevity. With the new challenges we face t

Why Specifying Garrett Leather is Good for the Environment

Under the influences of the COVID-19 outbreak, now more than ever, we are in tune with our surroundings. Designers today are more aware of the choices they make and the impact those choices have on our immediate surroundings, as well as on the environment as a whole. Likewise, it is our corporate responsibility to focus on how our business practices influence the environment. We uphold high standards on not only the quality of our products, but the business practices of our vendors and the impact they have on our environment. As a result, we are very selective about how and where our leathe

By-Products of the Meat Industry That May Surprise You

Our leather is a by-product of the meat industry. Meat production and consumption worldwide is at staggering levels. There are more people to feed and as incomes rise, more people can afford to buy meat.

Farmers do not raise cows to sell the hides. Beef is the primary product, accounting for an average of 60% of the animal. Leather, on the other hand, accounts for an average of just 7% of the animal. What happens to the remaining 33%? Just about all of it is used and in a surprising array

A Comparison of Abrasion Tests for Upholstery

Clients frequently ask how leather will perform over time, especially when they are considering using it in high traffic areas. Many manufacturers conduct different abrasion tests on materials to gauge how a material will wear. Clients looking to use leather often refer to these test results to help determine what product is best for their application. Let’s compare three popular types of abrasion tests.

Wyzenbeek Testing for Fabrics

Many manufacturers use the Wyzenbeek Test to measure the abrasion resistance of fabrics. For the Wyzenbeek Test, an operator secures piec

Accurate Definitions of Leather Grain

Leather grain refers to the composition and appearance of the hide. It is similar to wood grain, which refers to the texture and appearance of wood fibers.  Unfortunately with leather grain, there is a lot of misinformation. In addition to inaccurate definitions, there are false claims regarding durability. We are here to help you learn the proper definitions and gain a full understanding of leather grain.

Top grain = the uppermost layer of the hide. Period.

Top grain refers to the composition of the hide. Some people equate top grain

A Comparison between Pearl and Metallic Leather

Glittering pearl and metallic leather colors are in high fashion. They can be found in clothing, accessories, handbags, and furnishings. Designers often ask us what the differences are between these two types of leather. While both have a special sparkle to add some flair to your designs, they are very different.

Pearl Leather

Pearl leather has a softer look and more subtle sheen than metallic leather. To achieve the pearl look, most pearl leathers have a liquid topcoat sprayed on the surface of the hide. We may add a pearl appearance to any of our existing semi-aniline prod

Waterproof Leather: A Buyer’s Guide

Leather is a beautiful option for areas such as yacht interiors, summer homes, and beach-side resorts. Create beautiful spaces worry-free with waterproof leather. Here are some helpful tips to help you select the best option.

Waterproof Leather vs Vinyl

There is no reason to shy away from using leather, especially waterproof leather, for spaces that are subject to the elements. Leather is an excellent textile to use for multiple applications, including outdoor use. While vinyl is a low-cost option, it may not always be the best solution. Below is a side-by-s

Understanding Pull-Up Leather

Pull-up leather is very popular, especially for residential, hospitality, and corporate settings. In order to fully appreciate this type of leather, it is important to understand its unique characteristics. While pull-up leather is similar to distressed leather, they are not exactly the same.

What is Pull-Up Leather?

Pull-up leather is aniline dyed in the drum to create deep, vibrant colors. It is finished with a combination of transparent waxes and oils, which gives the leather a very soft hand, or feel. When this leather is stretched or pulled, the color migrates an

Leather Cleaning 101: Learn All You Need to Know

Leather cleaning is a popular subject. We are often asked, what is the best way to clean stains on leather? The answers vary, depending on the type of leather in question and what caused the stain. Regardless of the leather or the stain, quick attention is always essential.

Semi-Aniline

Semi-aniline leathers receive a protective finish on the surface, so these types of leathers are the easiest to clean and maintain. The best course of action depends on what caused the stain. It is always recommended that liquid spills are blotted up immediately with a clean, dry cloth, with

Preventing Wrinkles on Leather Seats

Most furniture will puddle in the seats with use, but it’s what’s in the core that will dictate how much puddle you get. Regular (low density) foam rubber and down will puddle the most. To prevent puddling, high density foam is better, though the best cushion core options are called a spring loft or spring fiber. These cushions not only have foam, but they also have springs in the seat core itself. These work very much like a mattress would. Once you get up, they will spring back to retain the original shape, not allowing a puddle to be created.

Some folks call puddling comfort wrinkles and yes, they will develop over time if you buy a softer seat core or cushion and a really soft leather. A good informed upholsterer or manufacturer can help you with the right seat cushion for you if you mention your concern. You can always expect this to happen when the seat core is too soft or when down is used. Not all leather furniture will show puddling. It’s all in the seat cushion core and the leather you select.

Wrinkles on Leather Seats

Puddling

No puddling

No Puddling

What To Do if Puddling Occurs

Responses to puddling vary depending on the style of furniture and interior setting. To some, wrinkles in the seat and back cushions are natural occurrences that are accepted and even embraced for the relaxed, worn comfort that the leather exhibits. The puddling is simply left alone. To others, a smooth, refined look is important and puddling is seen as a negative. The best way to handle puddling when it occurs is to remove the cushions and “fluff” them, similar to fluffing a pillow. This action returns airflow to the cushion and helps the leather to retain its original shape. It is also best to flip the cushions periodically to mitigate the wear pattern. If the cushions are not removable, the best approach may be to contact an upholsterer to resew the leather more tightly around the frame.

How to Prevent Wrinkles on Leather Seats (AKA Puddling)

If puddling is a concern, it is always best to speak with your designer or upholsterer ahead of time, before the furniture is made. The best way to prevent puddling is to use a firm, sturdy foam with springs in a design that pulls the leather taught over the filling in order to provide sufficient support. The amount of puddling that occurs is mostly determined by the manner in which the furniture is upholstered and not by the type of leather that is used.