Tag Archives: leather sofa

How to recognize a true Chesterfield sofa?

brown leather chesterfield couch 3-seaterModern sofas come in all different colors , sizes, designs and materials; the sleek modern sectional with dark grey fabric, a peppy red vinyl loveseat or a classy traditional genuine leather couch. And you’ve certainly come across the term “Chesterfield”. In fact my mother in law uses it all the time, for all kinds of furniture. But that’s another story….

Where does that distinctive name come from?

philip_standhope_4th_earl_of_chesterfieldEven though the term may be used more broadly in daily use, strictly speaking, there are certain well defined criteria that that make a Chesterfield. There are leather sofas, chairs, chaises and other furniture made in the classic Chesterfield style. As is common, the name originates from a person, in this case, the English Lord Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694 – 1773). In his old age, the Earl asked for production of a sofa that should be of high quality and express royal class. Based on the proverbial British stiffness, of course, it had to accommodate a comfortable, upright seating position.

The quilted upholstery with buttons emerged as the main aspect of identification for this type of furniture. Top grade leather as well as a back rest at the same height as the armrests form a further point of distinction.  Today, we see many adapted versions of the Chesterfield, some of them very close to the original, others a modern interpretation of the design. Most of them strive to maintain the same elegance that was attributed to that sofa of the 1700’s. Read more on Wikipedia.

Chesterfield genuine leather sofaleather sofa in chesterfield styleBeliani offers a contemporary version of the sofa. Browse our leather sofas.

Modern Sofas – Genuine Leather or Bonded Leather?

genuine leather sofaLeather furniture can add beauty and sophistication to any room, no question. A well made leather sofa is durable and can last for generations. However, the market place is currently full of diverse leather and leather-like products for you to choose or rather confuse! Understanding the leather products will help you to make the right choice when shopping.

 

Difference between genuine leather and bonded leather

Genuine leather is made from the hides and skins of animals. They are then tanned with vegetable tannins and chromium salts. They are known for strength and grained texture. Whereas bonded leather is shaped when leather scraps and fibers are mixed together. They are then twisted into a roll using glue or other bonding materials.

It is very hard to differentiate between bonded leather and genuine leather as far as quality and looks are concerned. If the bonded leather is done suitably it may look akin to genuine leather with the same smell, appearance and function. In that case, you may look for the texture of the bonded leather which may not be as well-defined as that of the natural-grained genuine leather. While bonded leather has the reputation of being not as durable as genuine leather, the bonded leather on my BMW seats holds up very well. It actually looks even better than some of its genuine counter parts, which tend to become wrinkly over time. On the other hand, genuine leather has the reputation of getting better with age. It usually becomes more soft and worn in, giving it the unique look.

modern leather sofas, contemporary design couchThe cost advantage is the main benefit of bonded leather. Due to its economical price (bonded leathers are 30% percent less) many people can afford high-end furniture—great looking designs at low price.

And here is an entirely different perspective: Considering the fact that bonded leather is made from scraps, that would otherwise be wasted, it might be a good idea to go for bonded leather furniture from an environmental point of view.

Beliani uses both bonded and genuine leather for their modern leather sofas. Thus, harvesting the advantages of both materials.

10 Tips to take care of Leather Sofas

The beauty and elegance of your living room depends on proper maintenance of the furniture that fills it. After all who doesn’t want to create a good impression on their guests and brag a little about their plush living room decoration, right? Leather sofas are an important component of many living rooms. Hence, proper maintenance of leather sofas is very essential to preserve the grace and beauty of your living room.

Here are 10 essential tips that will guide you to take proper care of your leather furniture.

1. Follow Instructions: In order to take proper care of your couch, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

modern black Leather Sofa loveseat
Image Source:alspics.com

2. Cleaning: Ideally you should contact the manufacturer to clean your furniture. Alternatively you can use the help of professional cleaners to clean leather sofas without damage. If you prefer to clean modern sofas yourself, always use a vacuum for loose dirt or soap to remove stains. Ensure that you are using a soap without chemical additives.

contemporary white leather sofa loveseat
Image Source:white-leather-sofa.net

 

 

3. Avoid harsh cleaning solutions: You should never use harsh cleansing solutions to clean modern sofas as they might damage the surface of the leather drastically.

4. Protect leather sofas from direct sunlight: Excessive heat and direct sunlight can damage leather and cause it to develop cracks. Therefore, ensure that your leather furniture is placed away from direct sunlight or shield your living room with blinds or drapery for protection.

5. Clean up spills immediately: Leather is extremely porous in nature and if you don’t clean the spills instantly, the liquid will penetrate and can leave an everlasting stain on your furniture.

6. Take special care for removing stains: You should follow different procedures to remove different kind of stains. For example, in order to get rid of an ink stain, use a cotton swab and dipped in Isopropyl alcohol. Then gently rub the cotton swab on the stain. Next, dry the area with the help of a hair drier, set on the lowest heat setting. For removing grease stains, avoid using water and instead clean the stain using a dry rag.

7. Daily Maintenance: Clean your leather regularly using a vacuum cleaner or a damp cloth to get rid of dust from the surface. Also, you should use a leather conditioner once every three months. To protect the natural sheen of leather, use leather protectant spray once every month.

Modern Leather Sofa Furniture love seat
Image Source:designwagen.com

8. Get professional help: If you notice any cracks or rips on your leather sofa, contact your retailer or ask for the assistance of a professional sofa repair company.

9. Protect sofas from sharp objects: You should always protect your leather from sharp objects like knives or scissors. Even jewelry can leave ugly scratches.

10. Keep pets away: Pets can seriously damage leather furniture. I know you love your little ones, but make sure you train them to not jump on your furniture, or assign them their spot on a blanket to protect the sofa.

 

Sofas constitute the main component of a stylish living room; therefore you should take regular care of your leather sofa. The above tips will help you maintain the integrity of your product and enhance the longevity of your leather sofa.

 

Michael Bublé on Beliani Leather Sofa

leather chesterfield sofa with Michael BubleIs Michael Bublé sitting on a Beliani Chesterfield sofa?

I found the photo in the House & Home magazine and can’t get the thought out of my head that this might be a Beliani couch. The photo shows Michael Bublé in his Los Angeles home, nothing short of a mansion, btw. The man has made oodles of money in the past years, selling his music albums all over the world. He is currently featuring a Christmas album, which I have not yet heard, but the marketing looks excessively cheesy, unfortunately. But that’s not the point here. He is a fantastic singer, so definitely deserves all the success, and oh, yes of course, he is Canadian, what else!

In the photo, he is smiling at us from a leather couch that could be mistaken for a Beliani Chesterfield sofa. I know, the man can afford the top of the line brands. But why not save close to two grand and buy a leather sofa with Beliani, that is almost identical to the original designer piece. Who can’t use that money for some other nice things, especially when the holidays are right around the corner?!?

 

Leather Sofa for Toronto

This is just one of the Italian design leather sofas that Beliani is bringing to Canada. There are many products out there to choose from and certainly no lack of retailers for sofas and other furniture. But here is the thing: If you go to the Brick, Leon’s and the like, you are not going to spend a lot of money, but you also know, you will get furniture at the lower end of the scale. If you want a nice modern design, and don’t want to spend $5000 or more on a nice sectional, you’re most likely out of luck.

Beliani overcomes all the obstacles involved with furniture such as modern design sofas. Purchasing directly from manufacturers and selling online, cuts down on the cost significantly, and guess what, the consumer benefits by paying much less than with a conventional retailer.

Now there are drawbacks too: Beliani cannot offer a huge variety of products. The collection is limited to a few different models in only a few colours. And there are no beautifully decorated retail stores in the middle of downtown. But Beliani can offer a great customer service over the phone and online, and a 14-day full money back guarantee.

Interested in finding out more?

Follow this link to find modern sofas in Canada.

TV Shows Lead the Way to Sofa Choice

Who has not seen at least one of the plenty of home TV shows, displaying how easy it is to sell a well staged home, or how to turn you tired interior into a dream. The emphasis is often on the furniture that gives the home this stunning look.

Very important in this respect are sofas. They are the focal point of the living room and make or break the appeal of the often largest room in a house.

The video shows one of the European style sofas that Beliani is bringing to Canada this fall. Genuine leather paired with a clean Italian design makes this sectional sofa a great choice in today’s modern home. Beliani does a great job in making these designer sofas available to the public at super-low prices.