Leather is very easy to live with, but very tricky to buy. Oddly enough, the cheaper leathers are easier to clean because their surfaces have been subjected to many mechanical and chemical treatments. Furthermore, these highly processed (sanded, embossed and polyurethane finished) leathers tend to breakdown before more natural hides. The vast majority of leathers fall between the two and offer durability and clean ability. Avoid combinations of leather with matching vinyl. Aging changes their color and the brand new "match" becomes a mismatch.

In a nut shell, if a leather sample is thin, slippery and has a very uniform grain pattern, it is highly processed, if the sample is thicker, textured, and has a variegated grain, it is more natural. A well constructed sofa, covered with good cowhides will retail for over $1,700 and will last three times longer than fabric.

Shop for: solid wood frames, steel support system (spring or flat coil), spring seat edge to hold cushions, padding (check the sides), layered core materials and zippered casings. If many of these features are lacking, the sofa will retail for under $1,000. Leather quality (is it cowhide?) is not a factor here because the seats will crater (failure of cores, support system or frame) in 3-5 years. Please visit our store for more information on leather products.