Any leather sofa experts around?

[Piff]

Looking to replace leather sofas in the Jan sales.
Have seen what we (think) we want but they are offered with diferent leather grades at different prices (obviously)
Cat 55 - with full leather to faces & arm rests & split leather to backs & sides
Cat 200 - with full leather to faces & arm rests & split leather to backs & sides
Cat 220 - full leather all round
Cat 280 - full leather all round

Swatches in the showroom have limited colour options in the 280 grade. In the other grades there are more colour choices - they probably have colours applied in the production process.

Prices for one of the sofas are :-
Cat 55 £1340
Cat 200 £1470
Cat 220 £1680
Cat 280 £1750

Anyone like to comment on the durability of these options please.

 

[ChrisEdu]

Kind of depends what your budget and purpose are. I have three, full leather, Italian sofas. One of them is a higher grade finish, which looks and feels beautiful, but marks very easily. The sofas that are a grade lower look good and wear better. Between them, the three cost £thousands but it was worth it. They're certainly not DFS level, rather specialist furniture store.

Ultimately, it's horses for courses.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Ultimately, it's horses for courses.

Or, Cows for fields? :bannana:

 

[Piff]

Purpose - day to day family use
Budget - can afford either
However, don't like wasting money. Current furniture is DFS and is sh*te. Had them back 3 times in first few years to replace seat base cushioning and it's gradually getting worse. Was one of their more expensive suites at the time, but I might just as well have bought their cheapest.
This time round are trying to do a bit more research into "quality"

 

[developer]

Sofa King complicated...

 

[Piff]

Sofa King complicated...

Hmmm - another place I wouldn't bother visiting again

 

[BIRMA]

Not sure if they still sell the leather 2 seater sofas I bought from Furniture Village but they both have an individual American made electrically adjustable mechanism. I bought two 2 seaters and they are now nearly 30 years old and everything works and the leather is as soft and nice to sit in as the day we bought them.
They were I seem to recall mega bucks but the old saying 'you get what you pay for' certainly applied here and I can't see any reason to replace them as the foam hasn't flattened or bunched.

 

[Piff]

Not sure if they still sell the leather 2 seater sofas I bought from Furniture Village but they both have an individual American made electrically adjustable mechanism. I bought two 2 seaters and they are now nearly 30 years old and everything works and the leather is as soft and nice to sit in as the day we bought them.
They were I seem to recall mega bucks but the old saying 'you get what you pay for' certainly applied here and I can't see any reason to replace them as the foam hasn't flattened or bunched.

Me thinks that much of the crap on sale today at the warehouse furniture outlets will not last anywhere near 30 years..............

 

[BIRMA]

Me thinks that much of the crap on sale today at the warehouse furniture outlets will not last anywhere near 30 years..............

Just checked furniture Village site and nothing like what we bought, but a friend asked a while ago and found just4sofas and Superior model does look a lot like mine might be worth a try plus they seem to offer a choice of leather finishes too.

 

[Mrhanky]

No leather expert but have a great experience with our Ercol sofa. Recently sent off a seat base we had damaged for repair and they did a fantastic job.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I can't help with guidance on leather, although the most expensive may mark easily.

The only suggestion I would offer is that brushed leather (not sure if that's the right name) without a shiny face is less slippy (so better if you suffer with a bad back), it doesn't feel so hot/cold to the touch, and develops a nice patina rather than marking noticeably.

We have It on the arms an arm chair (John Sankey) and it's wonderful stuff.

 

[ChrisEdu]

Okay, based on the assumption that in family use, there will be zips, buttons, and other hazards, don't waste your money on the top quality leather - I did and I regret it every time I look at my once beautiful sofa. Go for one of the hardier grades, but, personally, I'd avoid anything that is either vinyl or bonded leather (leather pulp glued together).

If your family is young, it might be worth enquiring about a specialist insurance policy, too, just incase something should happen.

A little tip, if possible have a close look at display models and see if there are any scratches or unusual marks, if so, chances are that grade won't be suitable.

 

[Codger49]

Could be worth looking at these people. https://www.furnimax.co.uk/sofas/

We bought from them earlier this year and are very happy with our purchase (3 seater electric recliner and large electric reclining chair).

I also attach a link to Natuzzi's leather options - for family use you need 'Protecta', not 'Natural' We chose 'Oregon' and it is very well protected but also pretty luxurious. Leather

We also have a English hand made leather suite in another room, but it was an awful lot more expensive and we have to treat it with 'kid gloves'.

Chris' tip above is very true, if you can see the actual units where people have been sitting on them, its worth far more than salesman's chat and photographs.

 

[ChrisEdu]

Could be worth looking at these people. https://www.furnimax.co.uk/sofas/

We bought from them earlier this year and are very happy with our purchase (3 seater electric recliner and large electric reclining chair).

I also attach a link to Natuzzi's leather options - for family use you need 'Protecta', not 'Natural' We chose 'Oregon' and it is very well protected but also pretty luxurious. Leather

We also have a English hand made leather suite in another room, but it was an awful lot more expensive and we have to treat it with 'kid gloves'.

Chris' tip above is very true, if you can see the actual units where people have been sitting on them, its worth far more than salesman's chat and photographs.

The naughty in me would suggest conducting your own zip and fingernail test - discretely, of course.

 

[tromppost]

Try Sofas & Beds | Made to Order | Sofa.com

 

[Piff]

Went to look at just4sofas factory outlet this morning. Liked what they had to offer except size - the ones in my first post were classed as 2.5 seats which will fit our room better.
So ended up at the first place and ordered 2 in their cat 220 leather. Got home and not sure we have picked the right colour now

 

[BIRMA]

Went to look at just4sofas factory outlet this morning. Liked what they had to offer except size - the ones in my first post were classed as 2.5 seats which will fit our room better.
So ended up at the first place and ordered 2 in their cat 220 leather. Got home and not sure we have picked the right colour now

We chose dark brown for ours and in many ways was the right decision as it doesn't show marks as inevitably things get spilled on it, chocolate melts under someones backside etc.

 

[Piff]

It was between dark brown & tan.
Currently have dark brown so thought it would be nice to have a change, now not so sure.

 

[Alf Barnet]

Probally to late, but I have a pair of these Himolla cumuly sofas (in tasteless ox blood obviously) not a slouching seat, but wonderful if you want support.

Himolla Sofas, Recliners & Chairs| Barker and Stonehouse

 

[Piff]

Probally to late, but I have a pair of these Himolla cumuly sofas (in tasteless ox blood obviously) not a slouching seat, but wonderful if you want support.

Himolla Sofas, Recliners & Chairs| Barker and Stonehouse

Yep, too late!
I had suggested similar but not what she wanted