• Leather glossary
• Other materials glossary
• Products glossary

Leather glossary

Characteristics

Cowhide

Sourced from various types of cattle (cow, bull, steer, etc.), cowhide has a relatively pronounced grain and is very resistant to daily use. It is the most commonly used leather in the production of leather sofas.

Leather processing

Tanning: we use a solution of tanning acids to transform the hide into leather. Tanning makes the hide durable.

• Vegetable tanning: as traditionally performed for centuries, this form of tanning is done using natural products (plant extracts). Vegetable tanning is the highest quality method: it perfectly brings out the quality of the hide. Only craftsmen practise this method today.
• Mineral tanning: the most commonly used method for furniture leather. For this tanning process, we use mineral-based tanning acid (chrome salt).

Splitting: Here we split the leather into 2 layers: the surface layer of the leather and the split leather.
Dyeing: usually by means of a dye bath, with the aim of colouring the leather to a greater or lesser extent.

Finishes

Full grain leather: untreated surface. Full grain leather is valued by experts for its grain and natural relief.
Corrected grain leather: thanks to a smoothing process, the marks on the surface of the leather are smoothed out. The appearance of the leather is uniform, and the smooth surface gives it the greatest ease of maintenance.
Grained leather: the natural grain of the leather is made visible by pressing it (rubbing the hides). It can optionally be accentuated by means of presses that press on the leather.
Pigmented leather: the application of a protective layer with pigments gives the leather ideal comfort of use. Insensitive to water and stains, protected from light and friction from use, pigmented leather is very easy to maintain.

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Maintenance tips

Regular maintenance

Leather is an organic material, sensitive to environmental influences. To preserve the colour and suppleness of your sofa, place it as far as possible out of sunlight and away from heat sources.
To keep the leather supple and your sofa looking like new, here are some maintenance tips:
Dust your sofa regularly with a slightly damp chamois cloth.
Perform a thorough cleaning of the leather at least once a year, using a cleaning kit.

Stain removal

If liquid accidentally spills on your sofa, wipe it off as quickly as possible with a soft cloth to prevent the stain from penetrating deep into the leather. Work from the edges of the stain towards the centre.
If this does not help to remove the stain, you can use a special leather stain remover and gently rub from the edges towards the centre of the stain.
However, to clean a stain while protecting your sofa, it is best to consult a professional.

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Other materials glossary

Characteristics

Microfibre

A fabric of synthetic fibres that is very resistant to wear and stains. Microfibre feels like soft peach skin.

Foam

High resilience: means that the foam has a great capacity to carry a lot of weight. The use of resilient foam for the filling of your sofa ensures that your sofa adapts comfortably to everyone's weight while remaining firm.
Density is also an aspect to consider. Density is related to firmness. The higher the density of the foam, the less the body sinks into the sofa. Foam with a high density guarantees great seating comfort.

Wood

MDF (Medium Density Fibre): is a modern material consisting of wood fibres that are glued and pressed together by means of heat. Fire-resistant and dimensionally stable, with a smooth touch and a designer appearance, MDF is ideal for furniture.
Teak: with its honey golden colour, teak is an exotic, oily, hard and durable wood species. It naturally has a large amount of resin, making teak resistant to humidity and stagnant water.
Chipboard: Consisting of small wood particles - chips and sawdust - chipboard is an economical material that is resistant to shocks, moisture and temperature fluctuations. Painted, lacquered or simply sanded, these elegant boards adorn your furniture.

Glass

Tempered glass: the glass is heated to its melting point, after which it is cooled rapidly and evenly. We have chosen this material for our coffee tables because it never breaks and is resistant to violent impacts and blows.

Buffalo leather

Buffalo leather naturally has a more irregular surface than cowhide. The creases are also more clearly visible. This type of leather is ideal for giving sofas a robust and sturdy look. The buffalo leather label often means a glossy finish.

"Elephant" microfibre

Elephant microfibre is thicker than regular microfibre and also more irregular. It gives sofas a rustic look.

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Maintenance tips

Microfibre

Microfibre should be cleaned by a dry cleaner; the cushions are removable.

Wood

MDF: dust your MDF coffee table regularly with a clean cloth. Any stains can simply be cleaned with a damp sponge.
Teak: clean stains quickly with a soft brush or a non-abrasive sponge with some water.
You should maintain your teak coffee table regularly: sunlight slowly dries out the resin on the surface of the teak. Apply a layer of teak oil using a brush or cotton cloth and let it dry for several hours. Then polish the wood to restore the shiny effect.
To clean a stain, dab as thoroughly as possible with kitchen paper and then gently wipe with a damp cloth from outside to inside. If this does not help to remove the stain, you can use a special microfibre stain remover. In extreme cases, take the cover of your sofa to the dry cleaner (if removable).

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Products glossary

Corner sofa

Left corner: When you stand in front of your sofa, the corner is on your left.
Right corner: When you stand in front of your sofa, the corner is on your right.

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