Visited quite a few retailers selling Sofa mainly made of leather and Fabric material. Generally most established retailers are providing both the range due to demand and price points with leather being the more expensive option.

Both materials have their positive and negative points. Some prefer fabric being more breathable and washable while others prefer leather being easier to clean, maintain and the looks.

For me, after using quite a few sets of leather and fabric sofa, my personal preference is leather material mainly for the maintenance and durability.

Now for leather, there are many types of leather from Aniline, Semi-Aniline, Corrected Grain, Split Leather and bonded leather, sometimes called synthetic leather. These terms can be googled easily as it is standard terminology of leather used in the sofa industry. However, today almost all retailers (including established ones) in Malaysia use the name Bovine leather and this is a very confusing term. Googled this and you can see that it is not a common terminology used for leather. Bovine is a term meant for hoof animals, which include cattle, the bison, African buffalo, the water buffalo, the yak, and the four-horned and spiral-horned antelopes. So in short cow is a bovine but bovine is not a cow.

In case where the term Aniline or Semi-Aniline is used, you can expect some premium on the sofa.

Last but not least, leather comes in different thickness, generally 1.5mm or 1mm.

Anyone feel free to share your experience about your sofa purchase.

Just want to share my experience on leather and fabric sofas.

I owned 2 leather sofa sets. One white sofa set of about 10 years old and another blue set of about 8 years old. Both are in 1 + 2 + 3 seaters configuration. The white set is in my upstairs small living while the blue set is on the ground floor main living room. The blue set sofa is heavily utilized as it is on the ground floor.

Today, the blue sofa set is rather seasoned but wear and tear is rather minimal. The white set still looks quite good despite the age. Of course, both the design are outdated today.

I also find that breathability for both the leather sofa sets to be different too. So leather choices makes quite a big difference to the comfort.

About 10 months ago, I bought a fabric sofa (1 + 1 + 2 + 3 seater) and moved the blue leather set to another room as I felt the living room require something newer, modern and that thinking that fabric is more breathable. Being in the heavily utilized zone the fabric wear and tear is very visible. Not only the colour changes but the wearing of fabric is obvious. For this I have just ordered a new fabric cover for change and it cost me RM800. This is rather costly considering it is only 10 months in used. Not to mention whenever I have visitors on a hot day, the thought of sweat being absorbed through the fabric into the cushion. For this I need to sun the cushion which is rather cumbersome. Also, the thought of dust mites and allergy is something to consider as well.

That's why in my earlier posting, I prefer leather due to the durability and low maintenance.

Anyway this is only my feel. Others may feel otherwise.

Bovine term is very generic. There are so many different types of bovine leather from corrected to split (bycast) and from cowhide, buffalo hides and other hoof animal hides. Not easy to identify unless one is very experience.

Generally speaking, Pure Aniline leather is a "luxury" leather as they are selected from probably the top few % of cowhides. Selected from top grade hides, they are usually not protected with any pigments.

Protected Aniline on the other hand is different from Pure Aniline where pigment is applied on the grain pattern to ensure a uniformity of colour and resistance to fading. Not to be confused here and my description is not in order of quality.

Semi-Aniline is a very good grade leather after Pure Aniline and easy to maintain being better resistant.

If you are going for Aniline leather, make sure it is of the thick type. This will ensure that the durability of the leather (leather is not warranted, I think), and less crumbly and wrinkly look over time.

The last time I visited Milano Haus they told me there are 5 cat. I think the cat. rating is only used by Milano Haus or rather their Chinese factory supplier as their local supplied sofa do not have such rating. Though they have quite good design on the Chinese sofa, I do not like their construction of just using elastic webbing.

Another issue with imported Chinese sofa is when you have problems. It is a real hassle to get it fix just like the three months delivery.

For your budget, I think you should be able to get decent quality sofa out from some established factories locally. Prices will also be much more attractive and warranty and problems can be resolved much more easily. Just my 2 cents.

Not necessary to be bothered with the category. In UK some manufacturers uses a different system but very much proprietary. Unlike diamond trade, where there is a standard use internationally. You just need to know what you are buying into.

When I visited Milano Haus, I was amused by one of the sales person telling me that the soft aniline leather is calf leather. I just smile and told him that it is cruel to use a calf for such purpose.

For sofa, 2 thickness is used generally, i.e. 0.7 to 1.0mm (called 1.0mm) and 1.3 to 1.5 mm (called 1.5mm). Go for the 1.5 mm especially for you kind of budget.

For elastic webbing, it depends on the quality used. Personally, I prefer the use of web and non sag spring. I feel better with a firmer base. As to whether the seats uses a spring system or foamed or latex, this depends on the design and sometimes preference.

Let me check with some friends on sofa manufacturers that can do some level of customisation. I will pm you some details when I get it.

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Added on January 12, 2012, 10:26 pmWhen you say Italy sofas, you mean made in Italy or just an Italian branding?


This post has been edited by webby88: Jan 12 2012, 10:26 PM

Aniline leather is not calf leather. However, half of the retailers in town will tell you it is calf leather. Go try google yourself.

Many sofas claimed to be made in Italy (even the reputable ones) may not be true. Take it with a pinch of salt.

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Added on January 13, 2012, 10:03 pmBro pky, you are very knowledgeable on leather and sofa yourself. At least you can safely judge for yourself about the quality.

Prop99 and me have some similar interest. So I know who he is. He helps me procure some sofas to furnish my apartments. And I still owe him some curry fish head.

This post has been edited by webby88: Jan 13 2012, 10:07 PM

Did you get the large L shape with thick leather? For me that sofa is really value for $$$.

Went out with a friend to window shop for sofas and other furniture. Quite a few sofas on sale claimed to be leather but the does not give a feel like leather. It feels very rubbery. Tried the scratch test, it bounces back like PVC or PU. I think buyers need to be cautious.

Got some good buy in Sentul arh? Share share hor?

For curry Yee Sang, you need to find a shop that serve that lar....... Otherwise, you buy me Pau Yee Yee Sang.

For the price you paid, RM9k, it better be thick leather.
Good luck to your sales.

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Added on January 16, 2012, 6:31 pmwah...................... so detail bro.



This post has been edited by webby88: Jan 16 2012, 06:31 PM

Most cattle is raised for the meat and cowhide is just a by product. By virtue of this, most commercial beef producing countries are major source of cowhides. This is good as leather can be classified as regenerative. As cattle is not purposely raised for the hides, generally scarring is quite natural due to insects, ticks, scratches, barbwires etc.

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Added on January 16, 2012, 9:33 pmThis is quite an eye opener.

This post has been edited by webby88: Jan 16 2012, 09:33 PM

Corrected grain remains a very generic term used in leather. Most sofas in the market are of corrected grain.

For corrected grain, there are so many varying grades in the market. Some heavily pigmented and some less pigmented but the quality remains in the hide. As long as you know what you are paying for, it is absolutely all right. Don't pay corrected grain but given split or leather bond or a combination.

Bro prop, my friend need to get the same sofa like the one I bought. You still organising the group purchase? http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2045562/+40

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Added on February 12, 2012, 10:33 pmCan you share what do they do with such warranty claim?

This post has been edited by webby88: Feb 12 2012, 10:33 PM

Usually leather do not peel unless it is split leather.

Thanks bro.

My friends like it after testing it at may place and finding out the prices. Hehehe......... Now someone is going to belanja me "pau yee".

Anyway, I need to order a 3 seater and chaise, Left configuration. Please add another single no arm seat and an ottoman like the one at my place. This one is confirmed. Delivery in 1st week of March.

Please provide me quote for the dining table with 6 chairs with the same leather as per our discussion. Sent via E-mail would be better as sometimes I am unable to check on the pm here.

Thank you for getting the factory to quote. Looks reasonable for such quality.



This post has been edited by webby88: Feb 15 2012, 09:20 PM

Bro, can you check if this sofa is available for group purchase?





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Original as in the following:
Created by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for the German Pavilion at the 1929 Barcelona Exposition, the Barcelona chair features the pure compositional structure that now epitomizes Modern architecture.

Damn nice!!!

Cannot afford the original. Replica can do.

How much you pay for it?

for 7K you have to be strict lar.........!!!!

Here is a typical Barcelona Sofa.

This post has been edited by webby88: Mar 31 2012, 08:23 AM


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Did they tell what leather you are getting and the thickness? If not it can be any quality.

Anyway here are some comments.


http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...9412&hl=lorenzo

http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...3580&hl=lorenzo

Hope yours will be no problem.