DFS Leather

alggomas

Not sure where to post. Looking for shopping help.

Anyway, I rang DFS help line about the Navona recliners.
I asked if it was real leather and not bonded or split. They told me it is 100% high quality leather which they called PERU Leather.
Is there a leather expert or someone with knowledge of this leather to confirm it is 100% leather please?

judyb

Peru is the colour name and has nothing to do with the leather - it is sold with the 100% leather symbol which would be illegal if it were not leather
Hope this helps
Judyb
Leather care consultant

rds60h

There is no such thing as PERU Leather, that must be a brand name.
You need to phone them again and ask if it is Aniline Leather, this is the top quality first cut of leather. But you should be aware that this means other than colouring this is pure leather and so could possibly have "scars", the dye/colour could also differ slightly throughout the chair and when in use will absorb fluid (sweat, natural oils from your hair and hands) and so will with use begin to change colour this is called "patina", however with a bit of care this leather should last a lifetime.
If you would prefer something less likely to "discolour" and be a bit easier to care for then you can opt for Semi-Aniline, which is Aniline Leather but with a fine protective coating which reduces fluid absorbsion and so should not get the discolouration "patina" plus this protective coating enables uniform colouration/dyeing.
The next step down is Grained or Pressed or Correction Leather (sometimes also called Top Grain which makes it sound like high grade) this is thinner leather with a thicker protected coating (usually pvc) and it will have a very uniformed "grain" because this has been impressed onto the hide.
Split Grain is the lower quality of leather and has a very thick protected (pvc) coating.
Bonded Leather in truth is leather in name only and is made up of leather fibres and pvc mixed which is then spread and dried to form a "material". This is very poor wearing and really should only be used for the sides and backs of furniture, but because it is so cheap it is often used for the seat cushions and arms (the main wear areas).
That is also another question you should ask, is the item completely covered in the same type of leather, because many are only the type/grade of leather advertised on the main wear areas - the seat cushions and the arms.

rds60h

judyb wrote: »

Peru is the colour name and has nothing to do with the leather - it is sold with the 100% leather symbol which would be illegal if it were not leather
Hope this helps
Judyb
Leather care consultant

Sorry but the 100% leather only signifies that contains an accepted grade of furniture leather, Bonded Leather can carry the Leather Symbol, but in truth it is a far cry from a leather hide as I have explained in my other post on this thread.

thriftwizard

Useful knowledge, thank you all!

rds60h

Have checked the DFS site I would suggest that any sofas that they describe as their "Natural Finish" leather is Aniline Leather, those described as "Cherish" could be anything from Semi-Aniline down to Bonded Leather.
They state that any of their sofas carrying the Leather Symbol are 100% Real Leather All Over, but as I have said Real Leather can be any of the "Grades" of leather, so your could even get a sofa with Aniline Leather Seat Cushions and Arms and the Back and Sides could be Bonded Leather, or you could get a sofa that was all Bonded Leather and they would still be adhering to their statement, which meets legal requirements.
The Navona Range that you mention appears to be made of their "Cherish" Leather and so could be of absolutely any grade, so you would have to specifically ask if it was Semi Aniline to confirm the quality. But from the price I suspect that it is a Grained/Corrected Leather.

alggomas

Thanks to all respondents.
Knew about some types of leather but concerned about the Navona leather sofas. Going to see them Saturday so will ask the suggested questions!
Thanks again.

judyb

Bonded leather is not leather and it woud be illegal to show the leather symbol if this was the case.
The Navona leather is more likely to be a finished leather made from Top Grain and then corrected.
Hope this helps

lancashirelass66

Hi I know this post is old but there are obviously some experts on here & I really need some advice.
I purchased the Navona suite three years ago. From about month four we had issues with the colour coming out of different places. DFS came out on all occasions to repair but we have constantly had an issue with this happening time and time again. They are saying its heavy use and the grime coming through the lacquer and thus the dye being removed. I have only ever used the wipes provided or a clean damp cloth. Even this removes the colour though. The last time they repaired they used a different lacquer and now the surface is sticky & this they say is due to the amount of grime. Not understanding why this keeps happening (we aren't that dirty) I had an independent firm out for their opinion. They said it was aniline leather and the wrong wipes have been provided. Hence the issues we are having. DFS have said its not aniline but pigmented leather!!! Really lost as to what to do so any advice would be appreciated.

luxor4t

That sounds a nightmare, maybe you could contact Trading Standards as it doesn't sound like the sofa is fit for purpose if the colour is coming off.

LeatherSpecialistXO

The fact is that most of the major chain stores advertise as 100% leather precisely because this is an ambiguous term. Even when you call DFS they are incredibly vague about the leather because this is how they have scripted thier call centre. You leave more confused than when you started and they are very good at it because this is how thier whole business runs.

If it were top grain, full grain leather or aniline leather they would be shouting about this because this quality is a selling point. Its just described as 100% leather because its not necessarily a great quality leather but most people think - oh great real leather ! Must be good - WRONG !

Real leather or genuine leather is the lowest quality of leather you can describe as leather in fact. It is hide underside and a painted on, with a printed top surface. Looks like hide and feels like hide unless you actually see a sample. Even then its quite difficult to tell exactly what leather it is for most. The whole terminology is designed to be vague to fool the customer. This leather will crack and the top surface will give in anywhere from 2-6 years, more if in a bright part of your house.

Ask - Is it top grain leather or semi-aniline or aniline. I would recommend top grain or full grain unless you want a sofa which will distress and age such as aniline, semi aniline less so.

Happy sofa shopping !

PS. Look for companies that are honest and tell you precisely what leather the sofa is !