At Beyond Furniture, our sofas are made with very high quality leather from Italian company Gruppo Mastrotto. We offer Aniline, Semi-Aniline and Top leather to suit your lifestyle requirements.
Aniline leather is top grain leather that is dyed for colour only without any pigments applied. The leather is coloured all the way through by applying a transparent dye, immersing the hide in a dye bath. Only the highest quality hides can be used in this process as the transparent finish allows the natural markings of the leather to show through. Such natural markings or characteristics include scars, scratches and wrinkles. Other than the colour, the appearance of this kind of leather is entirely natural. The minimal processing also allows the leather to breathe, making it a comfortable choice for both hot and cold weather.
Semi-Aniline leather is simply aniline leather that is very lightly pigmented. This additional pigment allows the natural characteristics of the hide to show through while offering the benefits of colour uniformity and increased durability. This extra process balances out dye colour inconsistencies and allows for greater colour options. Subtle distinctions between the natural grain and pigmentation of the hide surface create an aesthetic quality that is unique to semi-aniline leather.
Top leather is a premium grade of leather, using the top layer of the hide. The surface is refinished as it goes through processing to create a uniform look that removes insect bites, scars and other environmental markings. This process also gives the leather the advantage of having greater protection against stains. The surface of corrected top grain leather is smoother and more uniform, perfect for the upholstery of sofas used everyday.
The lower end sofas on the mass market are made using low quality leather mixed with coated split leather. Low quality leather usually comes from regions with rough climate where cows are not well grown. Split leather is obtained from the lower layer of the hide and is then processed into coated split leather. Coated split leather is stiffer and less durable than top grain and is often used in the upholstery or underside of lower quality furniture.
Fine leather is soft, luxurious and resilient; the hides are from well grown cows, the superior hide selections and unique tanning process helps to create a supple, luxurious feel which will enhance and develop a rich patina over time. With proper care, a good leather lounge will last more than 10 years. By simply maintaining regular use of leather cleaner and protector, and an ink remover for tough stains, your leather lounge will retain a clean, stylish and effortless look.
The following is a simplified illustration of leather processing in the Italian factory:
| 1 – SOAKING | 2 – PRESSING | 3 – SPLITTING | 4 – SHAVING | ||||
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| Water wash that removes impurities and creases from leather. | Operation performed to remove the excess of water and to smooth leather. | Mechanical operation performed to separate grain leather, the upper part, from split, the lower part. | This operation is performed to give uniform thickness to the leather surface. | ||||
| 5 – TRIMMING | 6 – DYEING | 7 – DRYING | 8 – CHAIN | ||||
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| Leather is cut, selected and separated from the parts that are not suitable for use. | Inside the drums leather undergoes a special treatment to obtain the preservation, softness and color required. This is the central phase of the process, a mixture of art and technology. | Leather is dried in a vacuum system consisting of steel plates that suck out water through vacuum depression. | Leather is hung onto a chain to get conditioned at room temperature. | ||||
| 9 – STACKING | 10 – BUFFING | 11 – DRY MILLING | 12 – FINISHING | ||||
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| Leather is smoothed and softened by means of a machine operating a mechanical beating. | This is a phase (for split and nubuck only) during which the leather surface is slightly buffed with special abrasive paper to give a suede finish. | Leather is further softened through mechanical shaking in humidity-regulated drums. | Leather is made acquire the brightness, color and appearance desired. | ||||
| 13 – IRONING | 14 – TRIMMING | 15 – LABORATORY | 16 – SELECTION | ||||
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| This phase is used to give to the leather the brightness required. | This operation is performed to give uniform and precise edging to the finished product. | Physical-chemical tests are carried out according to international regulations and customers’ specifications. | Leather is carefully inspected and selected according to quality, surface appearance and thickness. | ||||
| 17 – MEASURING | 18 – FINISHED PRODUCT WAREHOUSE |
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| Leather is measured with electronic precision instruments, then packed and shipped to customers. | It is the area where the finished material is stored for the prompt delivery of samplings. | ||||||