The benefits of premium leather
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Understanding premium aniline leather
All our signature heirloom-quality pieces at FrancoCrea use premium leather. Unrivalled by any other material, premium aniline leathers offer a refined luxury that age gracefully throughout a lifetime.
We create great living by understanding each client’s individual needs and providing tailored guidance to help them make the best-informed decision.
At the heart of this journey, we un-jumble the difference between premium full aniline and premium semi-aniline leathers, outlined here below, to ensure the right fit for our client’s unique way of living.
A good reference point to establish is understanding the term aniline references the dyes used in the final finishing process of creating leather as we know it. Aniline dyes are a water-soluble synthetic die and translucent, an important element to note, as this is what allows the beautiful natural grain to shine through and retain the elegant feature of purest leathers.
Premium full-aniline leather
Only the very best raw hides are used for full aniline leathers. Natural characteristics such as insect bites, fat wrinkles, growth marks and healed scars may be visible and are a great indication of a superior quality natural leather with its own individuality. European hides are considered the highest quality as the cattle are reared in small herds with no barb wiring or branding.
Full aniline leathers do not have any protective coating or pigment on the surface retaining their natural state. They are considered the softest elegant and supple leather providing the ultimate luxurious comfort level in seating. As the hair follicles are naturally uncovered, they will absorb body oils during use and enhance the appearance of the leather over time. This improvement in appearance is called a patina and is a unique characteristic of natural leather. This also allows the leather to be highly breathable. It does however mean it is more susceptible to fading from sunlight exposure.
Full Aniline leather
| Material | Premium select European cowhide | |
| Origin | Germany | |
| Grain | Full | |
| Grain Texture | Smooth | |
| Dye | Aniline | |
| Finish | Pure uncoated | |
| Seating Comfort | Level 5 (maximum rating) due to breathability of leather and ability to absorb moisture | |
| Care & Maintenance | Conditioning of the leather can be kept to a minimum due to the natural oils present in full aniline leather that inherently retain the suppleness. Conditioning approximately once or twice per year is preferable using a professional water-based leather cleaning kit. For any immediate spills, a quick spot clean using a soft colourfast cloth is recommended, refraining from scrubbing the affected area. Placing leather out of direct sunlight and approximately 100cm away from a heat source is recommended as best practice for full aniline leathers as a minimum. |
Premium semi-aniline leather
Only the very best raw hides are used for Semi-Aniline leathers. Natural characteristics such as insect bites, fat wrinkles, growth marks and healed scars may be visible and are a great indication of a superior quality natural leather with its own individuality. Semi-Aniline leathers are dyed like full-aniline but have a thin protective topcoat added to protect it from wear and staining.
Premium semi-aniline leather is evenly coloured with a very light pigment applied to the surfaced. Designed to make the leather more resistant to stains without completely concealing the natural characteristics of the leather hide, whilst retaining its natural aesthetic and soft breathable touch. Semi-Aniline leather is a great option for people who want to see the natural beauty of leather, but would also like additional durability and colour consistency compared to full aniline leather. A perfect fit for young families or spaces with exposure to the strong western sun.
Semi-Aniline leather
| Material | Premium select European cowhide | |
| Origin | Germany | |
| Grain | Full | |
| Grain Texture | Subtle grain | |
| Dye | Aniline | |
| Finish | Dyed & finished with a thin protective topcoat to protect from wear and staining | |
| Seating Comfort | Level 5 (maximum rating) due to breathability of leather and ability to absorb moisture | |
| Care & Maintenance | Conditioning of the leather can be kept to a minimum due to the natural oils present in semi-aniline leather that inherently retain suppleness. Conditioning approximately once or twice per year is preferable using a professional water-based leather cleaning kit. For any immediate spills, a quick spot clean using a soft colourfast cloth is recommended, refraining from scrubbing the affected area. Placing leather out of direct sunlight and approximately 100cm away from a heat source is ideal. |
Discover refined luxury furniture here
Thank you for your enquiry.
We will be in touch as soon as possible.
FrancoCrea Showrooms
At FrancoCrea, we think the secret to a life well-lived is keeping things grounded and embracing the art of simplicity.
Our premium leather guide here is an effortless starting point for all designer furniture selections.
We encourage you to visit our Adelaide and Melbourne showrooms to experience your future heirlooms in person, feel the difference and chat through your unique way of living with our designers.
259 Swan Street, Richmond, Victoria 3121
442 Pulteney Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000