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Clients frequently ask how leather will perform over time, especially when they are considering using it in high traffic areas. Many manufacturers conduct different abrasion tests on materials to gauge how a material will wear. Clients looking to use leather often refer to these test results to help determine what product is best for their application. Let’s compare three popular types of abrasion tests.

Wyzenbeek Testing for Fabrics

Many manufacturers use the Wyzenbeek Test to measure the abrasion resistance of fabrics. For the Wyzenbeek Test, an operator secures pieces of the test specimen onto a machine. Heavy canvas passes back and forth along the specimens. One back and forth motion equals one double rub. You will find the results for this test expressed as a number of double rubs.The test measures the maximum number of double rubs achieved before the piece of fabric shows noticeable wear, normally defined as two yarns breaking. Designers usually prefer products that complete at least

Saddle Leather is a unique product that you may use for a variety of upholstery applications. It is heavier and thicker compared to most upholstery leathers. Some people may be intimidated by its thickness, however, its thickness does not limit its use. On the contrary, it is very versatile. So, put aside your fears. Let's look into how our Saddle Leather is made and how you can use it for your next project.

How Saddle Leather is Made

We invested in thorough research to develop a product that met our high quality production and performance standards. First, we explored different raw materials. Our Saddle Leather is made from Spanish bulls from a region near Barcelona. Our research indicated that Spanish bulls provide the largest and cleanest working area and have the most consistent thickness throughout each hide. Tanneries located in Tuscany Italy purchase these superior quality raw materials. They use chestnut tannins from Eastern Europe and Mimosa from Argentina to create this full grain,

Leather grain refers to the composition and appearance of the hide. It is similar to wood grain, which refers to the texture and appearance of wood fibers.  Unfortunately with leather grain, there is a lot of misinformation. In addition to inaccurate definitions, there are false claims regarding durability. We are here to help you learn the proper definitions and gain a full understanding of leather grain.

Top grain = the uppermost layer of the hide. Period.

Top grain refers to the composition of the hide. Some people equate top grain leather with corrected grain leather. This is not correct. Top grain simply refers to the uppermost, top layer of the hide. It is the most desirable layer for leather. Why? Because the fibers of the uppermost layer of the hide are the most dense, providing the strongest durability. As you move down to lower layers of the hide, the fibers are less compact, thereby providing a less durable fiber structure. Some companies use the lower layers of the hide

Leather rug binding gives area rugs a refined finished look. Area rugs with a leather border offer aesthetic beauty, as well as excellent resistance to wear. In fact, many leathers develop a rich patina over time and will outlast the rug itself.

How Rug Binding is Made

Rug Binding begins with full hides of genuine leather. First, we calculate how many hides are required to fill the order. After we pull the leather, we cut the hides into strips using our computerized cutting machine. Each hide is laid flat on the cutting bed and secured in place with plastic to prevent the hide from moving during cutting. Next, we collect all of the cut strips and move to assembly in our workroom. It is there where we then use non-toxic, GREENGUARD certified adhesive to glue the ends of the strips together. Seams occur approximately 60 to 80 inches apart, depending on the leather. We reinforce the seams with additional adhesive on the back of the leather for extra durability. Lastly, we roll the finished

We originally developed Avion for aircraft interiors. This soft leather has a uniform grain and a durable finish. It is ideal for high traffic areas. We introduced the collection with 20 colors based on recommendations from our customers and it quickly became a top-selling product. After just two years, we more than doubled the size of the collection by adding 30 more colors. Today, Avion continues to be a customer-favorite across multiple industries for numerous reasons.

The 20 original Avion colors

Extensive Color Options 

Due to growing demand, we introduced 15 more colors this year.

The 15 NEW Avion Colors

Avion is now our largest leather collection with 80 different hues. All of the colors are based on customers' requests and some of the colors are from previous custom orders. Since we added these custom colors to our collection, you don't have to worry about long production lead times.  Now, you can receive leather right away, which saves precious time and money.

Fast

One way you can really impress your clients is to use leather for wall coverings and other vertical surfaces. Leather provides beautiful color and texture, added warmth, reduced noise, and exceptional durability. Previously, we published a step-by-step guide for our Wall Panels and Wall Tiles. With our Wall Panels and Wall Tiles, there are many ways to make each project unique with buttons, beveled edges, nail heads, and decorative stitching. Today, we're going to review a few additional unique wall covering options that are sure to impress your clients.

Cast Panels

Like the Wall Panels we discussed in our last blog, Cast Panels are made with an MDF substrate. Cast Panels, however, are different because we combine bold lines and shadow play with a routed design on the surface. Cast Panels come in different designs and styles. You can mix and match panels with a "V" or "X" pattern to create a unique layout or to draw the eye in different directions. Choose from three sizes and hundreds

Do you specify wall applications for your clients? Have you considered using leather wall panels or wall tiles for a project, but reconsidered because you thought it would be too complicated? If so, you have come to the right place. We make ordering wall panels and wall tiles easy. Here is a step-by-step guide to making your next wall installation go smoothly.

 Buckhead Tower | Cadence Angora and Caressa White Wall Panels | Designed by Niles Bolton Associates

Plan Ahead

Scheduling is one of the most important factors to keep in mind when specifying leather wall panels or wall tiles for your project. It is best to begin the planning stages as early as possible to leave ample time to consider all of your options, review quotes, receive payment, and allow sufficient time for production. One of the first questions we'll ask is, what is your due date? We recommend contacting us at least six months prior to installation, so we can help you throughout the entire process, from start to finish.

Glittering pearl and metallic leather colors are in high fashion. They can be found in clothing, accessories, handbags, and furnishings. Designers often ask us what the differences are between these two types of leather. While both have a special sparkle to add some flair to your designs, they are very different.

Pearl Leather

Pearl leather has a softer look and more subtle sheen than metallic leather. To achieve the pearl look, most pearl leathers have a liquid topcoat sprayed on the surface of the hide. We may add a pearl appearance to any of our existing semi-aniline products, including full hides of Shagarrett, by using this method.

In comparison, our Pearlessence leather has a specially formulated finish with a pearl additive. This combination pearl finish provides superior durability and increased water resistance. Pearlessence is available in full hide sizes averaging 55 to 60 square feet. It is suitable for any upholstery application, including high traffic areas. It is typically

Leather cleaning and proper care are essential to keeping your leather looking its best for years, decades, and even for generations. While leather is well-known for its durability and longevity, it still requires proper care. For 30 years, we've answered numerous inquiries regarding leather cleaning and maintenance. The method for leather cleaning varies depending on the type of leather, amount of use, and extent of wear. Here are our top leather cleaning tips.

Maintain Your Leather With Simple Dusting

In general, leather is a low maintenance material. You should wipe your leather occasionally with a dry or slightly moist, soft, clean cloth to prevent dust particles and other airborne debris from accumulating on the surface. Simply moisten the cloth with a small amount of pure water. Never use furniture polish, ammonia based cleaners, or harsh soaps. These products may damage the finish on leather. For best results, we recommend 3-in-1 Leather Wipes. These are safe to use on both semi-aniline

Parmenter Realty hired Niles Bolton Associates to renovate the main lobby of Buckhead Tower. The lobby had polished metal and stone throughout the space. The stone walls were too dark and created a lot of glare. The client wanted the lobby to be brighter and have a more contemporary design. Most importantly, the client requested minimal disruption to the tenants in the building. Josh Bass, the lead interior designer, and the client agreed that leather wall panels would be the perfect solution. Consequently, the design team researched other vendors, but found their products to be cost-prohibitive and their lead times too long. Ultimately, the client requested Garrett Leather. The client was very pleased with the vast color options, shorter lead times, easy installation, and exceptional service. Our Wall Panels were applied on the existing walls, with no demolition required.

Watch How Leather Wall Panels Improved the Buckhead Tower Lobby

Handcrafted in the USA

We make our Wall Panels at