At Stouby we use natural leather exclusively, and only the best hides. Leather is not just leather. You get what you pay for, and you can buff, polish, and paint to cover up the choice of inferior leather but in the long run you cannot hide lack of quality and true craftsmanship with cosmetic procedures. It always shows – because nothing can beat that special feeling only the best leather, treated just the right way, can provide. The leather we use is selected and treated by skilled and uncompromising craftsmen. This is the only way to ensure that our furniture keeps their unique look for many years to come. However leather is a natural material and will change appearance as the years go by. How is up to the surface treatment, leather type – and you!
Types of leather:
Aniline leather – natural leather with minimal surface treatment. The most comfortable of all leather types. It absorbs body heat very well and has an exclusive and velvety touch. The minimal surface treatment allows the leather to breathe and reveals its beautiful and natural texture. Aniline leather is more delicate than other types. Sunlight, moisture and wear will inevitably leave its mark. But if you protect your Stouby from direct sunlight and heat sources, time will add an irreplaceable patina.
Semi-aniline leather – natural leather with light surface treatment. The surface of this leather type is well protected from the surrounding environment. It is more even and less likely to change its appearance over time. However over time, it will not get the same patina as Aniline leather, but it is still soft and retains its natural texture.
Natural markings:
No two hides are completely similar and that is why each Stouby has its own unique characteristics and details. It’s simple really, the lives of different animals leave natural imprints on the leather and we do not remove these, as it will seriously weaken the leather – we use natural leather exclusively. And that is why you will find small variations in the surface of the leather. However, each hide is meticulously selected to ensure that these natural variations are exploited to the fullest.
- Healed scars
These are visible as small lines and structure differences in the surface. The affected area is just as strong as the surrounding leather.
- Insect bites
Visible as small uneven bumps in the surface. A limited number of these do not affect the strength of the leather. However insect bites are more visible on semi aniline leather than aniline leather.
- Neck creases
Visible as patches of more rough leather, which is most visible on aniline leather. On semi aniline leather these creases appear as barely visible shadows.
- Fat stripes
Variations in colour that run from the back of the hide to the abdominal region. This phenomenon is most common on aniline leather.
- Texture differences/loose nap
In general, the structure of the hide depends on how thick it is. The nap structure is most dense closest to the back of the hide and becomes more coarse and loose towards the stomach region of the hide.
- Warts
Typically visible as small bumps in the surface. More or less visible depending on how the light hits the leather and how pigmented it is.
- Non-healed scars
Non-healed scars are visible as breaches in the surface of the leather. These are not acceptable in a piece of leather for a Stouby.
Leather Care:
To avoid drying and cracking, leather requires nourishment 2-3 times a year – and always after cleaning. Preferably use oil rich and moisturizing leather care products. To clean your sofa, you can choose to use a mixture of water and soap flakes – follow the directions below – or use one of the many cleaning products widely available at furniture shops. Various products with both cleaning and nourishing properties are also widely available.
Pour 1 dl of quality soap flakes into a bowl or bucket and add 1 litre of hot water (40 Celsius). Beat the mixture until the soap flakes dissolve and the mixture becomes like porridge. The mixture benefits from overnight chilled storage as this makes it even thicker. Apply with a soft sponge and be careful not to soak the leather and wipe it off with a dry cloth to avoid stains. Use demineralised water to avoid lime scale. Let the furniture dry off well, then remove excess soap with a well-wrung cloth. Never use solvents or similar for stain removal as this will damage the leather. Ask a professional for help if you need help with a particularly difficult stain.
NB! If in doubt, apply the cleaning product to a patch of leather not visible in daily use.
At Stouby quality craftsmanship and a unique design goes hand in hand. This is also the case when we meticulously select our fabrics. We work only with the best and most recognised suppliers in the business and fabric quality is constantly monitored throughout the manufacturing process. The two most important quality parameters are durability and that the fabric is fast to light. Durability depends on the fabric’s structure, thickness, and yarn quality. The thicker and harder the weave, the stronger the fabric. Fast to light is the ability to resist sunlight and maintain colour when exposed to any lighting source. The more dye applied to the fibres the more fast to light they become. Dark colour nuances are generally more fast to light than lighter colour nuances. However any colour will fade to some degree over the years depending on how fast to light it is and the amount of light it is exposed to.
Fabric care:
There are no general guidelines for how to clean or remove stains. It all depends on the type of fabric. New types of fabric like micro fibres are very easy to clean. Most stains can be removed using a mild soap mixture, and to maintain the feathery look; apply a soft brush when the fabric is completely dry. Never rub too hard on fabrics and micro fibres in wet condition, as this will damage the nap.
Most of our furniture is manufactured in solid wood, as this gives us the best quality and finish. But no two trees are similar. As a consequence variation in grain structure will occur in both sub-components and the completed piece of furniture. But that is what makes every single Stouby a unique piece of furniture. But one thing is certain: the wood will keep its natural and exclusive look for decades to come. We draw on only the best suppliers ¬– all experts in selecting the very best timber – and we use a wide variety of wood species: oak, cherry, walnut, and beech. Most of the timber is logged in European forests with the exception of cherry, as the best cherry wood originates from the United States.
Wood care:
Wood is a natural product and variances in grain and colour will occur with use. Lacquered wood will typically become more golden over time, and cherry wood will become darker. Lacquered wood is cleaned with a well-wrung cloth possibly with a mild soap mixture. Soap-treated wood has to be cleaned using soap flakes, and oiled wood requires oil. In both cases it is not uncommon that the wood fibre rises and becomes a bit rough after treatment. This can be mended using a piece of fine-grained sandpaper. Make sure to go with the grain of the wood. And remember to shield the wood from direct sunlight and heat sources.
Take good care of your Stouby and you will be able to enjoy it for many years to come. Avoid placing your Stouby in front of a heat source or in direct sunlight as this will dry out and bleach the leather. It is important to fluff your down cushions to maintain shape and bounce. If the cushion collapses it will be difficult to restore its original shape. Straighten the cover on a regular basis to avoid permanent creases.
To avoid dust particles penetrating the fabric and attracting even more dirt, vacuum frequently with a soft upholstery brush or wipe off with a soft cloth as these everyday abrasive particles dramatically add to the daily wear and tear of your Stouby.
