Background

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Loving Leather

3 years ago we decided it was time to purchase good quality furniture that we wouldn't have to keep replacing. With 5 kids at the time, our old furniture was torn, worn, and dirty. No matter how often we cleaned, it still looked gross. I researched obsessively what big families recommended and discovered source after source, all recommended leather. Don was thrilled with my findings as he had always wanted leather. I didn't want leather! I wanted soft, cozy, comforting, relaxing, and light colored feminine floral fabrics. More than anything as we both talked, we wanted something that would endure our growing family, be easy to clean, and look clean most of the time. The only other thing I could find fabric-wise that came close to these specs was micro-fiber. We looked at several of both types of living room furniture and we finally decided upon leather. Previously we had a sofa and love seat. We ended up purchasing a leather sofa and a club chair from Slumberland, and a recliner from Sams...ironically it goes together just fine. To make things more affordable, we purchased the floor models that were clearanced out and we also were able to negotiate a little as well. A year later, we added 2 leather storage ottomans from Target that holds most of our children's books, we use this as a make-shift coffee table/footrest. It's only been 3 years, but it's held up remarkably well, better than any fabric covered piece we've owned in the past. I do finally love leather, to make things a bit cozier, we keep plenty of soft cushy throws on hand and to clean it, we discovered leather wipes. Leather doesn't work for everyone and I can certainly understand any reluctance, but for our bustling family, it's a perfect fit.

11 comments:

  1. I was dead set against leather. Until my husband convinced me that's what we wanted. Now I am leather's biggest fans. Spit-up, wipe it off. Dust, wipe it off. Snot. Wipe it off. You get the picture. Glad you have discovered the wonders of leather as well.

    Do you clean/treat/condition yours yearly? That will extend the life. Also a humidifier in your house during the winter helps with that (along with keeping nasal passages and throats much more comfortable).

    ReplyDelete
  2. I completely agree, leather is the way to go with kids! I wasn't entirely convinced but my husband convinced me. We were SO SO lucky, we got a beautiful dark brown leather 3 seater sofa, the one we wanted to buy which was over $1600 new and someone on ebay was selling one, local to us, only 6 months old (he bought a new place and couldn't fit the sofa in!)...and we got it, with delivery, for $220!!

    Bargain aside, its so easy to clean, I really love it and its so comfortable too. One day will add the armchair and recliner too (we have our old fabric recliner and it still works so its staying put).

    Your sofas are really lovely :) You could always get a nice floral armchair for your bedroom, make it a nice quiet place for you to read and pray and just relax.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love our leather sectional. I can't imagine anything else in the family room.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Monica, sadly, no I have never conditioned our leather officially...just use the leather wipes that are supposed to clean and condition.
    Eloise...awesome deal!!! Eloise, our room is pretty tiny, but I would like to do somthing with our sunroom...someday!
    Becky, I love your sectional too...want to trade??

    ReplyDelete
  5. We got ours from Slumberland and they do free refills of the conditioner and stuff for the life of your couch. You should ask them about it. I know it extends the leather's life.

    And by the way, your living room is gorgeous. Serene. I love what you've done above the sofa, it fills the wall space very nicely.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Monica, Slumberland tried to talk us into that, but it was over $100 and I thought that seemed high...at the time. I found some leather conditioner online through Ace Hardware, the reviews gave it a very high rating. It cost $11 including shipping...I don't know how long it will last,though. I'm a cheapskate sometimes!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I too contemplate leather. However, like you, I want the cozy, floral.....but I know as these boys grow into teenagers bringing friends over (which I want to make sure they all feel welcome so I can keep an eye on them!)I am thinking leather would be the best choice!

    ReplyDelete
  8. When we got ours from craigslist, the previous owners told us they used a leather conditioner meant for leather car interiors. I'm going to try that.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Josette...I hear you!!! LOL!

    Becky, that's what we got, it's called Lexol.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Cool. I think all leather conditioner is essentially the same thing, whether it's for cars or what, so that's great! At the time we bought our couch I'm pretty sure they threw the conditioner in "free". Whatever the case it's been nice to have.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Monica, I think the reason they were going to charge us for the conditioner was because of the "deal" we got on the floor models and then talking them down a bit more. If it would have been free...I would have been all over that!!

    ReplyDelete