Living With Leather Furniture – And Loving It!

Leather…the hallmark of quality and comfort in seating…the incomparable feel and aroma…a treat for all the senses.  Fine quality leather furniture is the best investment you can make in seating pieces for your home.  Fine leather – with care- will last four or five times longer than most fabrics.  You’ll notice that I said “with care.”  Leather requires care and maintenance just like a fine automobile, but caring for leather is much easier and less expensive.

Let’s devote a few lines to the different types of leather that are available.  Top grain steerhide is the gold standard in most cases.  The “top grain” is the outermost part of the hide…the part the hair grows out of.  Hides are usually thick enough that they are shaved into several layers; the layers below the top grain are referred to as “split grain” leather or simply “splits.”  Splits do not have the durability or grain pattern of the top grain; they are usually embossed with a grain pattern and are much less expensive than top grain leather.  Splits are sometimes coated with polyurethane and sold as “bi-cast” leathers.  You will also see “bonded” leather.  Bonded leather is a mixture of ground leather scraps and other materials; it’s sort of the “particle board” of the leather industry.  Once found mostly in book covers, bonded leather is now being used in inexpensive furniture.

There are other forms and grades of leather; top grain cowhide is from older animals and generally has more scars and natural markings than steerhide.  Exotic hides such as lambskin, deerskin, and calfskin are available as well; these offer incredible softness but are thinner and more fragile than steerhide.  Many leathers have at least some protective coating applied at the tannery; the amount varies with the coloring process. Other leathers, such as “nubuck” (it has a suede-like texture) cannot be given a protective coating; they feel wonderful but are vulnerable to soil and stains.

Expect some natural markings in better-quality leathers; they add character and are proof positive that you have not been sold a lesser-quality hide.  If leather furniture appears to be “too cheap,” you can rest assured that there is a reason.  You’ll pay more for top quality, but you’ll get a far better value for your money.

Now we’ll talk about keeping that leather piece in tip-top shape.  Leather should be kept out of sunlight; even indirect sun can fade leather in a short time.  Keep your leather furniture free of dust by dusting it weekly with a clean, soft cloth.  Clean your leather thoroughly several times each year with an appropriate cleaning product followed by an application of the proper protectant for your particular type of hide.  Most fine leather furniture manufacturers recommend LeatherMaster cleaners and protectants.  You can visit their website at www.mmna.com for detailed cleaning and care tips.  You may also order their products through the website.  Failure to clean and protect your leather can cause real problems. Depending on the type of leather you have, the oils from your skin may darken the leather or, in some cases, take the color out of the hide.  The use of some medications by the consumer can cause the leather to fade or darken as well.

If you’re considering leather furniture, do your homework first.  Know what you’re buying; choose a leather that is compatible with your lifestyle and furniture from a quality manufacturer.  Be sure you’re working with a reputable retailer who has a good record with the Better Business Bureau in your area.  A good furniture store will provide invaluable advice during the decision process as well as service after the sale.  You may pay a bit more up front, but your investment will yield dividends into the future.

And last – but not least- be willing to invest a few minutes a few times each year to give your fine leather the care it deserves.

Visit us at Bowen Town & Country Furniture and browse our collection of fine leather furniture! We are located at 1910 Mooney Street, right off Stratdford Road…near Hanes Mall.

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Hancock & Moore: A Passion for Craftsmanship

Deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Hancock & Moore started with a vision to manufacture the finest quality furniture that would remain beautiful for generations. This became reality in 1981, when Hancock & Moore was founded. That vision is displayed in each piece of Hancock & Moore furniture through the skillful touch of master craftsmen like Jimmy Moore.

He grew up learning the skills of a carpenter, turning wood into artful creations. The desire to make distinctive furniture was an instilled value and the skill to make it was a gift. He spent hours carving, hand-sanding, sewing and upholstering handcrafted pieces. This, he decided, was the “ideal” way to build a unique brand of furniture. With the help of his fellow craftsmen, he transforms solid woods, soft leathers and fine fabrics into handcrafted furnishings no machine could ever match. Each piece of Hancock & Moore furniture bears the signatures of these artisans that created it. Whether it is crafting custom orders, or surveying production, his skilled vision for perfection remains.

Jimmy Moore is one of the last to leave at the end of each work day, assuring that your handcrafted Hancock & Moore piece will result in furniture that you will enjoy and can be proud of for years to come.

Whether traditional or contemporary in style, our frames are solidly built. The corners are double-doweled and reinforced with corner blocks that are screwed into place. That is how we ensure the joints will remain solid over the lifetime of the piece. Since our foundation, Hancock & Moore has worked from one basic principle–to build fine furniture of uncompromising quality that endures for generations. Up to 80 hours are spent constructing a Hancock & Moore style–the time needed for the quality construction that has become our hallmark. Techniques such as our eight-way hand-tied springs, too labor-intensive for most manufacturers, give us a distinctive niche in the industry. As many as 17 craftsmen will have worked on a single piece, devoting countless hours to creating a Hancock & Moore original.

Click on the picture below to watch Hancock & Moore’s video!

Visit us at Bowen Town & Country Furniture in Winston-Salem, NC where we are proud to carry Young America Furniture!  We are located at 1910 Mooney Street, right off Stratdford Road…near Hanes Mall.

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Tis the Season….to Win!

Visit us at Bowen Town & Country Furniturein Winston-Salem, NC! We are located at 1910 Mooney Street, right off Stratford Road…near Hanes Mall.

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Leather…or “Pleather”?

By: Keith Joyce
VP of Operations

We’ve all heard it all our lives…”You get what you pay for.”  While there are exceptions here and there – the terrific sale price that’s REALLY a terrific sale price – the old adage is usually true.  You DO get what you pay for…so if you don’t pay a fair price, you don’t get much.  Leather furniture is a prime example in today’s market.  The frame and spring construction of the piece play a large role in price, but for today we’ll stick to the covers.

Let’s face it…you can find “leather” sofas priced all over the ballpark from $599 to $10,000 or even more.  What IS the difference?  Unfortunately, there is a wide variety of products being sold as “leather.”  A top-quality leather sofa will be covered in top-grain steerhide, not cowhide.  Steers are raised for beef rather than dairy products, so the hides are from younger animals.  Like our own skins, leather from young animals is less likely to carry the scars inflicted by a long life.  The finer quality the hide, the more it costs.  Calfskin and lambskin are the most expensive – and most pristine – hides.  It takes more small hides to cover a sofa, hence a higher price.

Okay…so what is the $799 leather sofa you saw in the paper made of?  Cheap hides at best…”leather match” or “bonded leather” at worst.  Cheap hides include water buffalo, split leather (layers shaved from the part that’s left when the “top grain” is removed, scarred or otherwise sub-par skins.

What the heck is “pleather”?

When furniture industry insiders refer to a product as “pleather” it can mean any of the categories below.

“Leather match” or “leather plus” means that the piece is covered with “real leather” of some quality on the inside surfaces – the inside back, seat, and the tops of the arms.  The rest of the furniture is covered in vinyl material that closely approximates the color of the leather.  You’re sitting on leather, but the rest of the chair is vinyl.  If you’re pinching pennies, this can be an acceptable choice.

“Bi-cast” or “By-cast” leather is a split hide that has been dyed, sometimes pressure-embossed with a grain pattern and then coated with polyurethane.  It’s closer to sitting on vinyl than sitting on leather, but they’re inexpensive.

“Bonded” leather is often found on pieces in the lowest tier of prices.  We’re talking about the particle board of leather here, folks.  Bonded leather is made by grinding up leather scraps, dyeing them, mixing them with glue, and spreading them on a fabric backing material followed by spraying with a sealant.  It’s most commonly used to make book covers or inexpensive belts, purses, and the like.  Recently we’ve seen it on furniture.  It’s cheap, and technically it’s leather…but personally, I’d rather have a fabric sofa.  I think it would last longer than bonded leather.

At Bowen Town & Country Furniture we carry the finest leather furniture in the nation! Click HERE to search our leather furniture manufacturers. Come by and visit our beautiful showroom, located at 1910 Mooney Street in Winston-Salem, NC. At Bowen, You’ll Like Living With Us!

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Fabric and Leather – Cleanliness is next to…

At some point in our lives all of us have heard the old admonition “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”  Personally, I’m pretty fastidious – but I don’t think showering frequently will have much of an influence on where I spend Eternity.

If you want your fabric and leather upholstered furniture to last an eternity, I fear you’ll be disappointed.  Just like us, upholstery eventually wears out and passes on – but it WILL last longer if you clean it regularly.

Think about leather for a minute.  It’s the skin of an animal and it has most- if not all – of the same characteristics as our skin.  Consider what kind of shape YOUR skin would be in if you never washed it; not a pleasant thought, is it?  If you want your leather furniture to last – and look good – longer, cleaning and protecting it is a MUST.

Modern tanning processes have made leather softer and more supple, but softer and supple has a downside – these leathers lack the amount of protective coating found on heavier, stiffer leathers.  You CAN keep the softer, less protected leathers looking good – IF you clean and protect them regularly with products designed for the specific type of leather you purchased.  For Heaven’s sake, don’t use the wrong thing.  You can damage your furniture.

 

Fabric has its own set of quirky rules.  First and foremost, don’t spill anything on any fabric if you can help it – and if you do, don’t aggressively wipe it off.  Blot it gently with a clean white cloth, removing as much of the stain as you can in that manner. 

           

After the blotting is done, any remaining stain should be cleaned with the APPROPRIATE cleaning product. Yes, you CAN really screw up your furniture by using the wrong cleaner, so be careful…very, very careful…or call a professional. Fabric comes with cleaning codes:

 

• S          Clean with a solvent-based cleaner ONLY
• W         Clean with a water-based cleaner ONLY
• WS       Clean with either solvent or water

Routine maintenance of fabric is simple.  Vacuum it.  No need to use upholstery cleaners unless there’s a stain… just vacuum it thoroughly on a regular basis.   You’re not just removing dust – you’re removing dirt particles that work their way into your fabric and actually damage the fibers of the fabric.

 Here’s a good illustration… ever go to the beach and get sand in your bathing suit?  You won’t walk far without going into the water and doing your best to get that sand OUT OF THERE…that stuff will transform the silkiest swimwear into sandpaper and brutally abrade you in sensitive areas.  That’s exactly what dirt does to fabric fibers.  Spare your sofa that fate and give it a good vacuuming at least once a month.

Visit us at Bowen Town & Country Furniture! We’re located at 1910 Mooney Street, right off Stratdford Road…near Hanes Mall.

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Bradington-Young Achieves Environmental Milestone

The Sam Moore and Bradington-Young divisions of Hooker Furniture have completed the industry-specific environmental management program known as EFEC, or “Enhancing Furniture’s Environmental Culture.”

Bedford, Va.-based Sam Moore was EFEC-certified in April by the American Home Furnishings Alliance Board of Examiners, and Cherryville, N.C.-based Bradington-Young was certified in June. Hooker Furniture’s Martinsville, Va. facilities will be evaluated in mid-August, and certification is expected by the end of August, according to David Davis, director of engineering at Hooker and corporate manager of the EFEC program for all three companies.

“We are very pleased about this achievement by Sam Moore and Bradington-Young, and commend the employees for their leadership, hard work and environmental stewardship,” said Alan Cole, president of Hooker Furniture Upholstery.

Sam Moore’s Bedford, Va. plant and offices were the first in the Hooker Furniture corporate family to achieve the EFEC registration, followed by Bradington-Young. “I’m tickled that Bradington-Young was the second to achieve certification for Hooker Furniture Corporation and that they are carrying the environmental torch like Sam Moore has done,” said Davis. “Both of the companies received unanimous approval by the EFEC Board of Examiners.”

Through March of this year, while completing the EFEC registration process, Sam Moore reduced its landfill waste by 1.8 million pounds, resulting in a savings of over $40,000 in landfill costs. In addition, the company reduced its water consumption by 6.3 million gallons, reduced electrical energy use by 3.6 million kilowatt hours and reduced its use of oil by 344,000 gallons.

At Bradington-Young, the company reduced its landfill waste by a half-million pounds, resulting in a savings of approximately $12,000 in landfill costs. In addition, the company reduced its water consumption by 1.7 million gallons, reduced electrical energy use by about one million kilowatt hours, and reduced its use of oil by over 94,000 gallons.

“We are ecstatic at the progress of all the HFC employees, and are beyond where we expected to be 18 months after launching our corporate environmental effort,” Davis said. The support from upper management has been superb, along with the grassroots effort of all the employees.”

Sam Moore is a specialist in upscale upholstered chairs with an emphasis on cover-to-frame customization. Bradington-Young is a specialist in leather seating for the home, including sofas, loveseats, club chairs, reclining chairs, sectionals and reclining furniture.

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Visit us at Bowen Town & Country Furniture in Winston-Salem, NC where we are proud to carry fine leather furniture and recliners by Bradington-Young.  We are located at 1910 Mooney Street, right off Stratdford Road…near Hanes Mall.

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A story that touched us…

By: Jayne

Back in 1972, my parents bought a leather chair and ottoman from Town & Country Furniture. This was back when the store was on the Oldtown traffic circle. I was in the 10th grade.

My dad loved that chair, And it truly was the most comfortable chair ever. When anyone came to the house, he’d make them sit down and try it out.

My dad didn’t have a long time to enjoy it, though. He died in May 1974, right before I graduated from high school and went off to college.

After college, I lived all over the US and in London, so having “the chair” would not have been possible. But about five years ago, my sister redecorated and asked me if I wanted the chair and ottoman. I couldn’t wait to bring it home!

Since then ,that beloved chair holds a place of honor in my living room. It’s in rough shape – it’s never been recovered in 38 years! – but  it’s still here. Everyone who comes here asks me about it, and I am so proud to tell them its age and what it means to me. These days, my chocolate Lab, Mocha, has grown to love it as much as I do, and just before bedtime each night, he’ll jump into it and curl up into a ball. It’s his wind-down chair, And it was my dad’s favorite place to relax.

I love the fact that my dad has been gone so long, yet I have something in my house that he loved. So i love it too, more than you can imagine!

– Jayne

Visit us at Bowen Town & Country Furniture in Winston-Salem, NC where quality always comes first.  We are located at 1910 Mooney Street, right off Stratdford Road…near Hanes Mall.

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